Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
  3               cups  flour
  1                cup  sliced almonds
  2          teaspoons  baking powder
  1           teaspoon  baking soda
  1           teaspoon  salt
  1                cup  sugar
     1/4           cup  butter or margarine -- softened
  2              large  eggs -- lightly beaten
  1                cup  buttermilk
  1           teaspoon  almond extract
  1                cup  canned, pitted sour cherries -- drained and chopped
                        ------------
  2        tablespoons  sliced almonds
  1           teaspoon  sugar

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine flour, 1 cup almonds, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl, stir together 1 cup sugar and butter. Add eggs and stir to combine well. Stir in buttermilk and almond extract. Add flour mixture, stirring just until moistened. Gently stir in cherries. Spoon into a greased 9 x 5 inch loaf pan. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons almonds and 1 teaspoon sugar. Press lightly into dough. Bake on middle rack in preheated oven for 60 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean. Cool loaf on a rack for 10 minutes, loosen edges with a knife and turn out onto rack to cool completely.

Nutritional Information:

3759 Calories (kcal); 146g Total Fat; (34% calories from fat); 92g Protein; 535g Carbohydrate; 507mg Cholesterol; 5228mg Sodium