Beverly's Red Velvet Almond Chocolate Layer Cake

Meet Beverly(left) and her husband Paul (second from right)

Beverly is one of those people with such an artistic and creative talent. Anything she does, she does well and it is a work of art! Beverly baked this cake for a friend's 80Th birthday whose children all live a distance away.

Beverly's Red Velvet Almond Chocolate Layer Cake

Ingredients:

1 18.25 ounce box Red Velvet cake mix

1/2 cup almond flavored liqueur

1/2 cup water

1/3 cup vegetable oil

3 large eggs

Directions:

Prepare two 9" round cake pans. Preheat oven at 350 degrees.

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In a large bowl combine cake mix, liqueur, water, oil, and eggs. Beat on medium speed with an electric mixture until smooth. Pour evenly into prepared pans. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pans 20 minutes. Remove from pans and let cool completely on wire racks.

Place one layer on a serving plate; spread frosting over top of cake. Top with almond flavored cheesecake spread, frosting over top of cake, Top with remaining cake layer, bottom side up over remaining cheesecake. Spread frosting over top layer and sides of cake. Garnish with candied almonds if desired.

Almond Flavored Cheesecake Layer

2 (8oz.) packages cream cheese softened

1/2 cup sugar

3 large eggs

1/2 cup sour cream

2 tablespoons almond flavored liqueur

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Directions:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line a 9" round cake pan with aluminum foil and lightly grease foil.

In a large bowl beat cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Add sugar beating until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in sour cream and liqueur. Pour batter into prepared pan; bake 45 minutes. Turn oven off and leave cheesecake in oven with door closed for 1 hour.

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Let cool completely on wire rack. Cover with foil and chill for four hours. Using edges of foil as handles remove cheesecake from pan. Gently remove foil from cheesecake.

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Almond Frosting

Beverly says this is a generous recipe

7 1/2 Tablespoons flour

1 1/2 cup milk

Cook slowly until thick, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and cover with waxed paper. Cool thoroughly. May be placed in refrigerator.

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Cream 1 1/2 cup margarine or butter

1 1/2 cup sugar

2 teaspoons almond flavoring

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Combine flour mixture and beat until light and fluffy. Beverly says DELICIOUS!