Makes 12.

4 tablespoons corn syrup
1 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
7 ounces almond paste
Red and yellow food coloring
1/2 teaspoon water
12 whole cloves

Work the corn syrup, confectioners' sugar and almond paste together to form a smooth dough, kneading it with your fingers. Mix a few drops of the food coloring together with the water to make orange, and add it to the dough, kneading to distribute the color evenly.

Form into 12 balls, then indent the top and sides of each to form a pumpkin shape. Press a clove into the top of each to simulate the pumpkin stem. Let stand at room temperature for at least 4 hours before using.