If you want to increase the almond content of this cake add 75g/2½oz diced marzipan when you add the cherries. This cake can be double wrapped in clingfilm and frozen for up to 3 months.

Making marzipan ... While almond flour is a delicious ingredient in gluten-free baking, its high fat content will produce a cake that is too heavy without altering this recipe.

Sometimes almond extract is also added to bring ... so chefs will rarely have to worry about how to revive an old cake. You can even use marzipan as a replacement for fondant to cover pastry ...

4. Mix in the almond paste and stir till well blended. Leave to cool. 5. When cool, whip egg white till stiff. Add the almond paste and icing sugar to this and mix and knead well till smooth.

Lightly whisk the egg white, add the almond extract and stir into the almond mixture. Transfer the paste from the saucepan to a bowl. Cool. Knead the cool marzipan, it should feel like moulding clay.