Categories: Cakes, Italian 
      Yield: 14 servings 
  
           ***cake*** 
      6    Eggs 
    2/3 c  Sugar 
  1 1/2 c  Sugar 
  1 1/2 c  Flour, sifted twice 
           ***cherry rum syrup*** 
      1 c  Maraschino cherry syrup 
           (from cherries) 
    1/4 c  Rum 
           ***pastillera cream*** 
      2 c  Milk 
      4    Eggs 
    3/4 c  Sugar 
    1/2    Teaspoon grated lemon peel 
      1    Teaspoon vanilla 
    1/4 c  Flour 
           ***whipped cream topping*** 
      2 c  Whipping cream 
      2    Tablespoons sugar 
      1    Teaspoon vanilla 
  
  Combine eggs, sugar and vanilla in the top of a double boiler. Beat 
  over boiling water for 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and continue to 
  whip with a mixer on high speed for 8 minutes until mixture becomes 
  thick and doubles in size. Fold in flour. Pour into 3 greased and 
  floured 9-inch round baking pans. Bake for 35-40 minutes at 350 
  degrees. Cool on a wire rack. ***CHERRY RUM SYRUP*** Mix together 
  cherry syrup and rum and reserve. ***PASTILLERA CREAM*** Scald milk. 
  Combine eggs, sugar, lemon peel, vanilla and flour in a small bowl. 
  Pour in the scalded milk, then transfer this mixture to the top of a 
  double boiler and cook over boiling water, stirring constantly, for 
  4-5 minutes until mixture becomes thick. Let cool. Beat whippping 
  cream until stiff peaks form. Fold in sugar and vanilla. Reserve. 
  ***WHIPPED CREAM TOPPING*** Sprinkle each cake layer with cherry-rum 
   
  syrup. Spread pastillera cream between the layers. Spread whipped 
  cream topping on the top and sides of the cake. Press sliced roasted 
  almonds onto the sides of the cake. Pipe whipped cream onto the top 
  if desired. Refrigerate until serving time.