Maraschino Cherry Cake

INGREDIENTS
• 2-½ cups sifted cake flour
• 1-½ cups sugar
• 3-½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ cup vegetable shortening (like Crisco in a can)
• ¾ cup whole milk ( I prefer to use evaporated or buttermilk)
• ¼ cup maraschino cherry juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 teaspoons almond extract
• 4 egg whites (unbeaten)
• ½ cup chopped maraschino cherries around 15 to 18 blotted dry with paper towels
• Optional:1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• Butter Cream Frosting:
• 4 cups of powdered sugar
• 4 tablespoons of butter
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 8 tablespoons of cherry juice to make a free-flowing frosting or use milk
• Optional: red food coloring for a deeper red around 1 or 2 drops
• 7 -minute cooked frosting alternative:
• 1 cup sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
• 2 egg whites
• 3 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• optional: 2 drops of red food coloring