1/2 Cup Almonds — sliced
3 Cups Bisquick. Baking Mix
2/3 Cup Sugar
1/4 Cup Shortening
1 Cup Milk
2 Teaspoons Vanilla
1/2 Teaspoon Almond Extract
2 Eggs
4 Semisweet Chocolate Square — melted, cooled
Chocolate Glaze — if desired
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Generously grease 9 cup bundt cake pan; coat with almonds.
Beat remaining ingredients except glaze in large bowl, on low speed, scraping b owl constantly, 30 seconds.
Beat on medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally, 4 minutes.
Pour into pan.
Bake until wooden pick inserted near center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes; cool 5 minutes.
Invert on wire rack or heatproof serving plate; remove pan.
Cool cake completely.
Spread top with Chocolate glaze (see glazes and icing receipe section), allowin g some to drizzle down side.