Special enough for company, easy enough to make any time, serve as a coffee cake or as a dessert.

Company Coffeecake

1 (10-ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 (8-ounce) packages refrigerated crescent rolls
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon to 2 milk
1/4 teaspoon almond extract

1. Reserve 8 to 10 maraschino cherries for garnish; chop remaining cherries. Combine chopped cherries, cream cheese, almonds, sugar and almond extract; mix well.
2. Unroll each can of crescent roll dough into 2 large rectangles; press firmly at edges and perforations to make one large rectangle. Roll or pat into a 15 x 13-inch rectangle.
3. Spread cream cheese mixture over dough. Roll up dough starting at long side of rectangle. Place seam-side down on greased baking sheet. Form into a ring, firmly pressing ends together. With scissors or a sharp knife, cut almost through ring at 1-inch intervals. Turn each section slightly on its side.
4. Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. If necessary, cover with foil during the last 5 minutes to prevent over browning. Carefully remove from pan to wire rack.
5. Combine powdered sugar, milk and almond extract to make a glaze. Drizzle over coffee cake. Garnish with reserved whole cherries. Refrigerate leftovers.

Makes 15 servings.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of the Cherry Marketing Institute.