Instructions

CAKE

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Prepare two 9-inch or three 8-inch cake pans with baking spray that contains flour. You may also just grease the pans lightly and then add flour, tapping the pan and dumping all the loose flour.

1. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, soda, and salt. Set aside.
2. In mixing bowl, beat butter and shortening until smooth.
3. Add sugar and beat about 4 minutes. Scrape sides with a spatula a couple of times during this process. The mixture will be white and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs, one and a time.
5. Add flavorings to the measured buttermilk.
6. Alternate adding the flour mixture with the milk mixture. Always begin with dry and end with dry. Don't overmix. Just beat until incorporated.
7. Pour evenly among pans. Bake 30 minutes. Touch top lightly. If it springs back, the cake is done.
8. Cool 5 minutes and then turn onto a cooling rack. Cool completely.

FILLING

1. In a small bowl, add water to the jelly or jam and stir well so that it will be easier to spread onto the layers.
2. Spread a generous layer onto two of the layers.

ICING

1. Cream the butter until smooth.
2. Add sugar one cup at a time, beating until well blended.
3. Add flavoring and milk until you get a spreadable consistency.
4. To assemble, you spread the jam on the bottom layer, then icing over the top of the jam and continue. Decorate with almonds. You can even add some to the sides.