Almond Butter Christmas Cake

Ingredients

 * 3 cup cake flour, sifted
 * 3 tsp baking powder
 * ½ tsp salt
 * ¾ cup butter OR shortening
 * 1½ cup sugar
 * 3 eggs, unbeaten
 * ½ cup almonds, finely chopped
 * ½ cup raisins, finely cut
 * 1 cup milk
 * 1 tsp vanilla

Directions

 * 1) Sift flour once, measure, add baking powder and salt, and sift together three times.
 * 2) Cream butter thoroughly.
 * 3) Add sugar gradually, and cream together until light and fluffy.
 * 4) Add eggs, one at a time, beating thoroughly after each.
 * 5) Add nuts and raisins and beat well.
 * 6) Add flour, alternately with milk, a small amount at a time, beating after each addition until smooth.
 * 7) Add vanilla.
 * 8) Bake in two greased 9-inch layer pans in moderate oven (375°F) 25 minutes, or until done.
 * 9) Spread boiled frosting (see recipe) between layers and on top and sides of cake.
 * 10) Decorate top of cake with wreath of holly, using pieces of maraschino cherries or red cinnamon candies for berries, and slices of angelica or citron for leaves and stems.
 * 11) Or decorate with poinsettias made of candied cherries.
 * 12) Slice cherries in rings, cut rings in half, and arrange to form petals of poinsettias.
 * 13) If desired, Lemon Butter Frosting (see recipe) may be used.