Christmas Kuchen

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup warm water (100° to 110°F)
• 1 (2-1/4 tsp.) envelope Fleischmann's ® Active Dry Yeast
• 1/4 cup warm milk (100° to 110°F)
• 1/2 cup butter OR margarine, softened
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• Almond Filling
• 1/2 cup (5 ounces) almond paste
• 1 egg white
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds, chopped and toasted
• 1/2 cup chopped candied cherries (OR substitute maraschino cherries, rinsed
• Almond Icing (optional)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 to 2 tablespoons milk