How to Make Marzipan

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: May 6, 2021 Tested

Marzipan is a confection consisting primarily of ground almonds and some sweetener, usually sugar or honey. If you want to make marzipan from scratch, this article includes two recipes to make this delicious sweet found in cakes and candies. Marzipan is commonly used to create decorations on cakes, and we have included tips and a video for those who want to go that route, as well.

Ingredients

Uncooked

200g ground almonds
200g confectioners' sugar
3 drops vanilla extract
2 egg whites

Note: You want to use pasteurized egg whites in this recipe for safety reasons. Eating raw eggs can lead to food poisoning. You can find egg whites in the refrigerated section of your local grocery store.

Cooked

200g ground almonds
200g white sugar
30g confectioners' sugar
3 drops vanilla extract
1/3 cup of water
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 egg white

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:
Uncooked

This method is best used for preparing modeling marzipan.

1
Sift the powdered sugar into a bowl on top of the ground almonds.
2
Add remaining ingredients. Mix to make a stiff paste.
- You can use a little water mixed with brandy instead of the egg whites if you do not want to eat raw eggs.
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3
Knead until smooth.

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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:
Cooked

This method can also be used to prepare modeling marzipan, but the result will be stickier than the uncooked version.

1
Cook sugar and water on low heat. Constantly stir until the sugar has dissolved.
2
Add cream of tartar and bring the mixture to boil. The sugar should reach about 240˚F (116˚C). This is called the soft ball stage.
3
Remove the mixture from heat. Mix until it turns cloudy. Add ground almonds and vanilla extract.
4
Lightly whisk the egg white. Add it to the pan and put the mixture back on low heat. Stir for a couple of minutes.
5
Dust the confectioners' sugar on a marble (or similar) surface. Pour the mixture over it. Work the two with a palate knife.
- Tip: If the mixture is too sticky, add a little more confectioners' sugar.
6
Cover mixture with plastic wrap and cool. Knead it until smooth once it has cooled down.

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Community Q&A

Question

What should I do if I only have whole almonds?

Caeiia

Top Answerer

Make sure they are raw and not salted. Grind them up in a blender or food processor until fine.
Question

Are blanched almonds better than unblanched for taste or texture?

Community Answer

They hold the flavor you'll want with the texture your looking for in the meal. Unblanched almonds are still tasty but have the skin still on them.
Question

Can I use blanched almond flour?

Community Answer

Yes, in fact it is preferable. It makes whiter marzipan which is good if you wish to model it and add color. It is also generally a finer texture than grinding the almonds yourself, making a smoother dough.

Warnings

Raw eggs carry a high risk of containing salmonella, which is hazardous to your health.

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When working with hot stoves, be careful not to burn yourself. Also, if something is hot and you are unsure if you should touch it with your bare hands, put the back of your hand near (not touching) the object. If it is too warm, wait a few minutes and then check again.

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