Chocolate Cherry Almond Cake

Chocolate Cherry Almond Cake 

• 1 cup minus 1 tablespoon butter (or margarine, or combination)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 4 medium eggs (which is really 3 large eggs)
• 1 2/3 cups almond meal/flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 ounces dark chocolate (or 1/2 cup chips), melted
• 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 can cherry pie filling, separated

Cream together the butter and sugar, then beat in the vanilla, almond extract and eggs. Combine the almond flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt and stir into the butter mixture. Stir in the melted chocolate and chocolate chips and spread in a greased 9-10" tart pan. Spoon the cherries (without the sauce - as much as possible) over the top. Bake at 325 degrees for 40-50 minutes. Brush top with some of the cherry sauce. Cool in pan for 20 minutes, then remove sides and cool longer. Can be served warm or room temperature with more of the sauce and whipped cream if desired.