Holiday Gift Cake

8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 c. butter, softened
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 1/2 t. vanilla
4 eggs
1/2 c. chopped pecans (reserve a few halves)
2 1/4 c. SR flour, divided
8 oz. maraschino cherries, drained, chopped (reserve a few halves)
Glaze:
1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
2 T. milk

Thoroughly blend cream cheese, butter, sugar, and vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Gradually add 2 c. flour. Combine remaining flour with cherries & nuts. Pour batter into sprayed angel food cake pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour 20 minutes. Cool 10 minutes. Invert onto plate. Glaze with mixture of powdered sugar and milk. Garnish with cherry & pecan halves.

*Make it really festive by using red cherries for berries and green cherries for leaves.