Almond Paste

• 6 oz (175 g) icing sugar
• 6 oz (175

This first stage in the decoration of a Christmas cake is very important, as a flat, even base must be provided for the final icing. The cake is first brushed with apricot glaze, which holds down any loose cake crumbs and helps the almond paste stick to the cake.

Sieve the icing sugar into a large mixing basin, add the castor sugar and ground almonds. Lightly mix the lemon juice, egg an