Cherry Cake And Sauce

• 1/3 cup shortening
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 2 eggs, well beaten
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 1 can sour pitted cherries, well drained (retain juice)
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

1. Cream shortening; add sugar gradually and cream until fluffy.
2. Blend in eggs.
3. Combine dry ingredients and stir into creamed mixture alternately with milk.
4. Stir in cherries (and nuts, if using).
5. Pour into a 9x13 pan that has been sprayed with nonstick spray.
6. Bake at 350u0b0 for about 50 minutes.
7. Serve warm with: HOT CHERRY SAUCE: Mix together in a saucepan 1/2 cup sugar, 2 Tbsp cornstarch and a dash of salt.
8. Blend in the juice from the can of cherries and 1 cup water.
9. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
10. Boil, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens and the starchy taste disappears, probably about 10 minutes.
11. Remove from heat and blend in 1/4 tsp almond extract.
12. Note: Sauce thickens unacceptably as it cools, so it really needs to be served hot.

shortening, sugar, eggs, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, milk, sour pitted cherries, nuts

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/cherry-cake-and-sauce-27300 (may not work)