Cherry Layer Cake with Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

3 c sifted cake flour

2 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1/3 c unsalted butter, room temp

1/3 c vegetable shortening

1 1/2 c sugar

1/4 c maraschino cherry juice

3/4 c whole milk

1/4 tsp almond extract

16 maraschino cherries, cut into eighths

5 egg whites, room temp, stiffly beaten

Frosting:

8 oz cream cheese, room temp

3/4 c (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temp

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