Almond Sheet Cake with Butter Frosting

Presenting:  Almond and Butter...

in bringing you a

delightfully sweet,

finger lickin'--

yet sophisticated--

perfect-for-spring,

absolutely scrumptious

dessert.

 Perfect for all those baby showers, bridal showers, luncheons, 

even wedding receptions--yes, my mother made an innumerable amount of these (among plenty of other treats!) for my wedding reception and people are still talking about it (almost 4 years later).

The soft, moist almond cake topped with delectable butter frosting & crunchy almonds is, well, irresistible (I'd like to see anyone walk by a piece on the counter and not take a bite...).

The cake will even freeze perfectly for up to three months (see below for freezing instructions)!

...Umm, did I mention this is amazingly delectable?  Try it.

Almond Sheet Cake with Butter Frosting
From my mother
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder

1 cup butter
1 cup water
1/2 cup sour cream
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp almond extract
sliced almonds, for sprinkling on top

Preheat oven to 350.  Grease and flour a 15 x 11 jelly roll pan.
In a large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients and set aside.
In a small saucepan, combine butter and water--bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.  Add to flour mixture and stir to combine.
Stir in sour cream, beaten eggs, and almond extract.
Pour into prepared pan and bake 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Spread warm (not hot) cake with butter frosting (recipe below).  Sprinkle with sliced almonds.  Cut into squares and serve.

*Notes:  I don't make the frosting until I'm ready to frost the cake (it will start to harden if it sits).  I also sprinkle the almonds on top while the frosting is still warm so they'll stay in place.


Butter Frosting
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup milk (the higher the fat content, the richer it will taste)
1/2 tsp almond extract
3 cups powdered sugar

In medium saucepan, combine butter and milk.  Bring to a soft boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally, and remove from heat as soon as it boils.  Whisk in almond extract, then gradually whisk in powdered sugar until smooth.  Frost warm almond cake.

*To Freeze:  Wrap cooled, un-frosted cake (still in the pan) in two layers of plastic wrap, then a layer of foil.  Will keep for up to 3 months!  Allow to thaw and frost before serving.