Instructions: Sprinkle chopped almonds into a well-greased 10-inch Bundt pan; set aside.

Cream butter and shortening; gradually add 1 1/4 cups sugar, beating well at medium speed of an electric mixer. Add egg yolks, and beat well. Add lemon rind, juice, and flavorings; beat well.

Combine flour, baking powder, soda, and salt. Add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Mix after each addition; set batter aside.

Beat egg whites (at room temperature) and cream of tartar until foamy.

Gradually add 1/4 cup sugar, beating until stiff peaks form; fold egg white mixture into batter.

Pour batter into prepared pan. Press whole almond just below surface of batter. Bake at 350 F for 50 to 55 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes; remove from pan, and let cool completely on a wire rack. Drizzle Apricot Glaze over cake.

Yield: one l0-inch cake.

Note: Cake texture and taste is very similar to a batter bread.

Notes: Make Almond Legend Cake every New Years Eve for a fun tradition at your house. Somewhere hidden in the baked cake will be a single whole almond. Whoever gets the almond in their slice of cake, according to legend, will enjoy good fortune during the year.

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