George Washington's Birthday Cherry Cake

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup of butter
• 1/2 cup of white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract
• 1 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 cup of milk
• 16 ounces of sour cherries, drained and pitted
• 1 cup of white sugar
• 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup of butter, melted
• 1 (8 ounce) package of cream cheese
• 1/2 cup of butter, softened
• 2 cups of confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and 1/2 cup of sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla and almond extract. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; stir into the creamed mixture alternately with the milk. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.
3. In a medium bowl, mix together the cherries, 1 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup of flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, and melted butter. Spread over the batter in the pan.
4. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cake tests done with a toothpick. Let cool.
5. To make the frosting: In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, 1/2 cup of butter, confectioners' sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Beat until smooth. Spread over cooled cake.

Interesting Facts

• George Washington was born on February 22, 1732.
• The cherry tree has long been associated with George Washington, as it is believed that he cut down a cherry tree as a young boy.
• The original George Washington's Birthday Cherry Cake was made with white cake, red cherries, and white frosting.