Almond Buttermilk Cake With Cherries

Preheat oven to 170 degrees.Butter a 9"-10" spring form pan.Line bottom of pan with parchment paper.Butter parchment paper.Dust pan with flour, tapping out any excess.Arrange cherries in an even layer and sprinkle with 60 liter sugar.

Sift cake flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda into a medium bowl and set aside.Add butter and sugar to a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes.Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.Beat in almond and lemon zest.Reduce speed to low and incorporate flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with 2 additions of buttermilk, ending with flour mixture.Pour batter over cherries in pan and smooth the top.

Bake until cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean, about 1 hour to 1 hour and 20 minutes.Let cake cool in pan on a rack for 15 minutes.Then run a thin, sharp knife around the edge of the pan and release the spring form collar.Invert cake onto a rack and remove bottom and parchment paper.Let cake cool completely.Dust with powdered sugar and sprinkle with toasted almonds before serving.

To freeze, slice cake into generous wedges.Wrap tightly with plastic wrap.Place slices into a freezer bag or storage container in freezer.Let slices thaw at room temperature, dust with powdered sugar, sprinkle with almonds, and serve.