Almond Paste

This recipe is enough to coat the top and sides of a 20cm round rich fruit cake

Ingredients
350g ground almonds

175g icing sugar, sieved

175g caster sugar

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

1 egg, beaten

Apricot jam, to brush the cake with and help the almond paste stick

What to do

In a bowl, mix together the ground almonds, icing sugar and caster sugar.

Add the lemon juice, almond extract and just enough of the beaten egg to mix to a fairly pliable paste.  Bring it 'together' with your fingers.

Turn out onto a surface lightly dusted with icing sugar.

Finally, knead until the paste is smooth, then roll out according to your recipe.