Marzipan | Description, Ingredients, & Preparation (2024)

FAQs

What does marzipan consist of? ›

Marzipan is 1 part ground almonds and 2 parts confectioners' sugar. Almond paste is made from equal parts almond and sugar, so it is less sweet. The two ingredients are not in interchangeable in recipes; however, in a pinch, you can turn almond paste into marzipan by adding some sugar and egg whites.

Mix the sugars and almonds in a large bowl, then rub in the vanilla seeds until even. Make a well in the middle, then tip in the eggs and citrus juice. Cut the wet ingredients into the dry with a cutlery knife. Dust the surface with icing sugar, then knead the marzipan briefly with your hands to a smooth dough.

Almond paste has twice the amount of almonds in it compared to marzipan, making it coarser in texture and less sweet than its counterpart. Their consistency also differs as marzipan is smooth and pliable, almost clay-like, while almond paste is somewhat gritty and spreadable, almost like a cookie dough.

How long does homemade marzipan keep? It will keep in the fridge for up to 6 weeks. If using it to cover a cake, the marzipan must be allowed to fully dry on the cake for 2-3 days before applying the sugarpaste. Dry marzipan kept it in a cool dry place should be fine for 2-3 months.

Marzipan comes from nuts—it's traditionally made with ground almonds. In order to maintain quality standards, many countries regulate the percentage of almonds a recipe must have for it to be legally called "marzipan." This discourages the use of apricot kernels as a cheap substitute for almonds.

Commercially produced marzipan contains around 28% almonds and 21 grams sugar per 2 tablespoons so it's sweeter than almond paste. Because marzipan is stiff, it lends itself to be cut out or shaped three-dimensionally for candies shaped like fruits, or for cake and pastry decorations.

Also called almond candy dough, marzipan is an agreeable, multi-purpose combo of the first two, with a subtle almond flavor and unmatched malleability. Be sure to try these marzipan cake recipes.

The World's Finest Marzipan

Lubeca has been producing marzipan since 1904. The company continues to use traditional methods of production and is recognized by bakers, pastry chefs and chocolatiers as one of the leading producers of high quality almond paste marzipan.

Marzipan is a confection consisting primarily of sugar and almond meal (ground almonds), sometimes augmented with almond oil or extract.

The German variety is a mixture of almonds and sugar ground coarse and heated until dry, and, after cooling, glucose and icing sugar are added. French marzipan is not cooked, but sugar is boiled with water and added to the almonds to render a finer, more delicate texture and whiter colour.

Is marzipan good for you? ›

Is marzipan good for health? Marzipan contains almonds which are a good source of minerals such as calcium and magnesium, plus vitamin E. However, bought marzipan also contains a lot of sugar.

For a quick and dirty solution, almond paste can substitute marzipan in a pinch. In this case, you will need to adjust the sugar in your recipe to make up for the loss of sweetness between almond paste and marzipan.

An almond paste made using a blend of sweet and bitter almonds, with added humectant, preservative and natural colour. Golden Marzipan is suitable for covering cake, or as an added layer underneath icing. In addition it is an ideal product to create decorative models with.

If the marzipan has turned hard, overly dry and brittle, or shows any signs of mold, it's definitely time to throw it away.

Don't roll it out on too much icing sugar, as it gets drier and cracks more. If not using immediately, store it in the fridge tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or clingfilm.

Marzipan is a light, candy-like mixture made by mixing finely-ground almonds with sugar, corn syrup and egg whites. Some say it originated in Persia, but others claim it came from Germany, Spain, Italy or France.

The Role of Almonds in Marzipan's Flavor

The almonds used in marzipan are typically blanched and finely ground to create a smooth and creamy texture. This process unlocks the natural oils and flavors of the almonds, resulting in a rich and distinct nuttiness that defines marzipan.