Almond Butter Christmas Cake

Ingredients

 * 3 cup Cake Flour, sifted
 * 3 tsp Baking Powder
 * 1/2 tsp Salt
 * 3/4 cup Butter or shortening
 * 1 1/2 cup Sugar
 * 3 eggs, unbeaten
 * 1/2 cup Almonds, finely chopped
 * 1/2 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).
 * 9) 25 minutes, or until done.
 * 10) Spread boiled frosting (see recipe) between layers and on top and sides of cake.
 * 11) 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.
 * 12) Or decorate with poinsettias made of Candied cherries.
 * 13) Slice Cherries in rings, cut rings in half, and arrange to form petals of poinsettias.
 * 14) If desired, Lemon Butter frosting (see recipe) may be used.