Dear Lisa: I'm doing holiday baking, and am wondering about a recipe that uses almond paste, which I cannot find. Can I substitute marzipan? Are they the same? -- Judy G.

Dear Judy: Marzipan and almond paste both contain essentially the same ingredients: ground almonds, sugar and water. Almond paste is used as an ingredient in cooking and baking, and has a pronounced almond flavor. I just happen to know that you can find almond paste at the College Station H-E-B store.

Marzipan is made from almond paste with additional sugar, flavoring and, depending on the manufacturer, sometimes egg whites. This makes marzipan more pliable and easier to roll and shape.

Marzipan is used like modeling clay for sculpting small fruits, flowers or other decorative confections. Marzipan tends to be sweeter than almond paste since more sugar has been added, and that also diminishes the almond flavor somewhat.

So, depending on the recipe you are using, you may be able to substitute marzipan for the almond paste with satisfactory results. Formulations vary widely, with the manufacturers making some marzipan less sweet. Or, you may want to keep this recipe handy for making your own almond paste.

ALMOND PASTE

* What you'll need:

3 cups whole blanched almonds

1 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup light corn syrup

2 teaspoons almond extract

* How to do it:

Combine the almonds, sugar and salt in the bowl of a food processor; pulse until the almonds are finely ground.

Add the corn syrup and almond extract; process until the mixture is moistened. Stop processing, and break the mixture up with a spatula, then process again until the mixture forms a ball. Yield: 1 pound.

* Lisa Fritz, a longtime Bryan food and nutrition educator, answers readers' questions about food, cooking and recipes. Her e-mail address is cheflisa525@yahoo.com.

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