Almond-Scented White Cake Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 12 tbsp (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 1 cup milk
• 5 egg whites, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup raspberry preserves, melted
• Raspberries (optional)
• 1 1/4 cups sliced almonds, lightly toasted and cooled
• 1 lb cream cheese, at room temperature
• 6 tbsp (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 1/4 cups confectioners sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 tsp almond extract