Almond paste

• 225 g/8 oz/1⅓ cups ground almonds
• 175

Almond paste or marzipan is ideal for large fruit cakes such as Christmas and wedding cakes that will be stored for some time. The thick covering helps keep the cake moist, as well as adding an extra layer of richness. Home-made marzipan is very easy to make, simply by mixing together the ground almonds, sugars and orange flower water with enough egg to make a firm, pliable paste. Roll out as r