Cherry-Nut Coffee Can Cakes

Cake:
1 (8 ounce) package soft cream cheese
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 eggs
2 1/4 cups cake flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 cup drained, chopped, maraschino cherries
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Glaze (optional):
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
4 tablespoons milk

Heat oven to 325 degrees F.

Combine cream cheese, butter, sugar and vanilla extract. Mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each. Add baking powder and flour; mix well. Stir in cherries and nuts.

Grease well 2 (16 ounce) or 3 (11-13 ounce) METAL coffee cans. Pour cake batter equally into prepared cans. Bake for 1 hour. Cool thoroughly before removing from can. Glaze if desired.