1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease muffin cups.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, cherries, baking powder and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, mix milk, oil, cherry juice, egg, and almond extract.
4. Make a well in the dry ingredients and stir in liquid just to moisten.
5. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full.
6. Combine almonds and remaining sugar; sprinkle over batter.
7. Bake at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes.
8. Cool 10 minutes before removing from muffin cups.
9. Makes 12 muffins