Abe Lincoln's Almond Cake

Step 1 -Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 2 -Place greased wax paper in a 10-inch tube pan.

Step 3 -In a large bowl, beat the egg whites until frothy.

Step 4 -Gradually add 1 cup of the sugar to the egg whites and whisk until stiff peaks form.

Step 5 -Add the butter and the remaining sugar to a large bowl and use an electric hand mixer to cream until light and fluffy.

Step 6 -Sift the flour, the baking powder, and the salt together into a medium bowl.

Step 7 -Mix the vanilla extract, the almond extract, and the buttermilk together in a small bowl.

Step 8 -Add 1 1/4 cups of the nuts to the flour mixture.

Step 9 -Add 1/3 of the buttermilk mixture and 1/3 of the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating, being careful not to overmix. Repeat with the rest of the buttermilk and flour mixtures.

Step 10 -Fold the egg whites into the batter, being careful not to knock the air out.

Step 11 -Pour the batter into the prepared tube pan.

Step 12 -Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 hour.

Step 13 -Allow the cake to cool.

Step 14 -Frost with the icing, garnish with the extra almonds, slice, and serve.