Almond Rum Cake

3 eggs
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
2/3 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons lemon juice
3/4 cup milk
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup finely chopped blanched almonds
2 teaspoons dark rum

Heat oven to 300 degrees F. Grease a 10-inch tube pan and sprinkle the almonds evenly over the bottom.

Separate the eggs. In a bowl, beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar until stiff. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream the butter with the sugar. Beat in the egg yolks, then the vanilla extract, almond extract, lemon juice, lemon rind and milk.

In another bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Beat into the creamed mixture. Stir in about 1/ 3 of the egg whites to lighten the batter and then fold in the rest gently but thoroughly.

Turn batter into prepared pan. Bake at 300 degrees F for 1 1/2 hours or until cake tests done when a wooden pick inserted neat the center comes out clean. As soon as you remove the cake from the oven, sprinkle the top evenly with the rum. Transfer to a rack to cool.

Makes about 14 servings.