Almond Amaretto Loaves

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
8 ounces almond paste
1-1/3 cups sugar; plus additional for sprinkling
3 eggs
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
Pinch salt
1/2 cup amaretto, plus additional for brushing
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup almonds, blanched and sliced

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour five 5 x 3-inch loaf pans; set aside. Cream butter and almond paste until smooth. Gradually beat in sugar and then eggs, one at a time Stir together flour, baking powder and salt. Reduce heat to low, beat in flour, alternately with combined amaretto and milk, starting and ending with flour, beating just until incorporated. Spread evenly in pans. Sprinkle with almonds and additional sugar. Bake loaves 40 to 45 minutes until they test clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Invert onto racks, turn right side up and cool completely.  Yield: 5 small loaves