Marzipan is the candy and ingredient of the season!
It’s known in many countries outside of the United States as THE Christmas candy and used in all sorts of holiday baking. While marzipan is a favorite this time of year, it is eaten year-round. It’s a quick, no-fuss, no-bake candy that will impress almost anyone. Thus, “How to Make Marzipan: Candy or Ingredient!”
Marzipan is a traditional European and Middle Eastern candy. It’s base mixture is ground almonds, powdered sugar, and a liquid which usually includes egg white, corn syrup, or water. Often you can find the additional flavorings of almond extract and rose water, which is traditional.
Marzipan AKA Almond Paste or is it?
Marzipan may also be called almond paste, but they are different and used differently. Here’s the quick rundown of each. Like marzipan, almond paste has ground almonds and sugar. The difference is that marzipan is sweeter and smoother making it moldable for shaping into candies and fondant for cakes. The marzipan’s smooth, moldable texture comes from the egg white addition. Almond paste is preferred in baked goods while marzipan can stand on its own and is more versatile. Both have their place and both are incredibly, tasty ingredients.
My preferred marzipan recipe is simple and calls for ground almond flour, powdered sugar, almond extract, rose water, and either egg white or water (I’ve used both). Pulse all ingredients in a food processor, form it into a log, and wrap it up tightly in plastic wrap to store until ready to use. That’s it! It’s a very simple looking candy, but with a little imagination, it can look exquisite. It’s about the simplest, most elegant candy you can whip up in minutes.
Here’s the recipe
Thanks to The Daring Gourmet for the “BEST Marzipan and Almond Paste Recipe” with suggestions and substitutions.
How Can We Eat Marzipan?
Since marzipan is a base candy, you can eat it as soon as you make it. For decoration, add food coloring and shape it into flowers or other decorative elements to top a cake. Shape colored marzipan into fruit or vegetable shapes and place on a plate or in a bowl and use as décor for your tablescape and dessert. Dessert and décor all in one! Add some dried fruit, candied fruit, or nuts to the base and enjoy. You can also dip it into white, milk, or dark chocolate and then top it with almonds or colored chocolate for a festive-themed candy.
Not only a candy, but marzipan makes an incredible, delectable ingredient in baked dishes like the German Stollen or mixed in with flour in chocolate cake for that almond flavor. You can also use it as “frosting” for a cake. As a frosting, it seals in the moisture of the cake keeping it from drying out so quickly.
If you would like a visual on making marzipan, see my video on “How to Make Marzipan: Candy or Ingredient!”
Looking for a bread bake to incorporate homemade marzipan?
Would you like another traditional holiday bread?
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