Almond Paste Bread

1 pkg. dry yeast
pinch of salt
1/4 c. warm water
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter or margarine
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. warm water
4 eggs
3 1/2 c. flour
1 c. almond paste
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1/2 c. fine chopped roasted almonds
1 Tbsp. sugar

Cream butter with one quarter cup sugar and salt; dissolve yeast in warm water. Add a pinch of sugar; let stand until bubbly. Add milk, yeast, eggs and flour to creamed mixture; mix well. Cover and let rise in warm place for 2 hours or until mixture doubles. Meanwhile, combine almond paste and almond extract and remaining 1/2 cup of sugar; set aside. Generously butter 1/8 cup tube mold; sprinkle with chopped almonds and 1 tablespoon sugar. Stir dough down and place 1/3 in to prepared mold, building up around tube. Sprinkle with 1/2 of almond mixture. Repeat, ending with dough. Seal edges of dough to pans with floured hands. Bake at 400 degrees for 40 minutes. Remove from pan; cool.