Pretty Pineapple Torte

Directions

• In a large bowl, cream butter and 3/4 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolks. Drain pineapple, reserving 2/3 cup juice. In a bowl, combine juice, 3/4 cup pineapple and vanilla (set remaining pineapple aside for the filling). Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with pineapple mixture, beating well after each addition. In a small bowl and with clean beaters, beat egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high until stiff peaks form. Fold a fourth of the egg whites into batter; fold in remaining whites.
• Spoon into 2 greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° until cake springs back when lightly touched, 28-32 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
• For filling, beat cream, confectioners' sugar and extract in a chilled large bowl until stiff peaks form. Fold in reserved pineapple. Split each cake layer in half horizontally. Spread about 3/4 cup filling between each layer; spread remaining filling over the top. Sprinkle with almonds. Store in the refrigerator.