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Home » Recipes » Desserts

Easy Marzipan Recipe

Published: Nov 11, 2020 by Kate Hackworthy · 15 Comments

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Block of marzipan, text: How To Make Marzipan 5 minutes.
Marzipan on a board: Text: Easy Homemade Marzipan.
Slices of marzipan with text that reads Homemade Marzipan Recipe.

Make this Easy Homemade Marzipan Recipe in just 5 minutes! It is used for many sweets, cakes and pastries and is very popular during the Christmas holiday season.

Close up of slices of marzipan and a block of it.

Marzipan is super quick and easy. Whiz it together in less than 5 minutes.

What is marzipan? Marzipan is a traditionanl sweet confection made with sugar and almonds, that's often used in cakes, pastries and candy.

You've probably seen it in the shops, but if you're wondering how to make mazipan, you've come to the right place.

It's surprisingly easy to make, so scroll down for my step by step tutorial, hints and tips.

It can then be used in a variety of different ways in sweet foods.

Add it to cookies, fill almond croissants or cover it in chocolate as classic marzipan candy.

It's also very popular in German Christmas recipes.

Marzipan always reminds me of my mum. She absolutely loves it.

She makes a pretty awesome Christmas cake (fruitcake) and it always has a delicious layer of marzipan hiding under the royal icing. Mum makes it every year, and even made it for my wedding cake!

It's silly, but my sisters and I have always teased her about her pronunciation of marzipan. She's from Belfast and her way of saying it always cracks us up. Sorry, mum!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

It is simple and easy to make.

Marzipan is made with few ingredients.

You can use it in a variety of different ways.

It's pliable so you can use it to cut or roll into decorative shapes for cakes, cupcakes and other desserts.

Homemade marzipan candy is great to give as a Christmas gift.

It can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for later use.

Marzipan on a wooden board next to almonds.

Ingredients & Tools 

Almond Meal: Almond meal makes up the base of marzipan. You can either ground up skinned and blanched almonds yourself in a food processor or purchase ground almond meal at a health food store or larger grocery stores. You can also use blanched almond flour, but make sure it's the grainy kind, not powdery.

Caster Sugar: Is also known as superfine sugar and helps with the texture.

Icing Sugar: Is a powdery confectioner's sugar.

Egg Whites: The egg whites help bind the homemade marzipan together. (Substitute corn syrup / golden syrup for a vegan marzipan).

Almond Essence: Also known as almond extract, this helps bring a deeper almond flavor into the marzipan. It's optional.

Food Processor: This helps blend everything together so that it’s an even consistency in flavor and texture.

How to Make Marzipan

Marzipan is seriously easy to make at home from scratch!

Follow this step-by-step photo tutorial, then scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and method.

Collage with food processor of almond meal and sugars, food processor with them whizzed together.

Add the almond meal and both sugars to a food processor.

Pulse in the food processor until it becomes a fine powder.

Collage: pulsed almond sugar mixture with egg whites added, it all whizzed into marzipan.

Add the egg whites and almond essence and pulse until it comes together into a thick paste.

Collage: pile of marzipan and it patted into a block.

Wrap well and store in a cool dry place until ready to use - up to 10 days.

Tips 

Make sure you pulse everything together evenly until it all becomes the same consistency for the best texture.

If it’s not coming together, you can add a teaspoon of water or lemon juice.

Use almond meal that has been blanched first as this results in a more fine and dry powder. Unblanched will have little dark flecks of the almond skin in it. It will still work but the flecks will appear in the finished marzipan.

Make sure you are using egg whites and not the full eggs with the yolks.

Choose fresh pasturized eggs, since this recipe is uncooked.

Collage: picture of marzipan fruits and log of chocolate covered marzipan.
Marzipan fruits and chocolate covered marzipan

Serving Suggestions

Perfect to use in this German Stollen.

Serve thin slices alongside this Cavolo Nero Christmas Pudding. 

Use it to make this Vegan Marzipan Chocolate Candy.

Use it in this beautiful Battenburg Cake. 

Goes great with this Ginger Cranberry Kombucha Mocktail. Just roll it into little balls and serve as a candy.

Roll it into a log and cover with melted chocolate.

Turn it into marzipan roses to decorate a cake.

Variations

Omit the almond essence for a lighter almond taste.

Add a drop of rosewater for a Middle Eastern Marzipan.

Honey can be used as the binder instead of the egg but it will make the marzipan super sweet so you may have to add less sugar to get the correct taste for your liking.

Special diets

Make It Vegan: Traditionally, marzipan is made with egg whites but they can be replaced with corn syrup for a vegan marzipan.

Make it Gluten Free: The ingredients in this recipe are naturally gluten-free but be sure to check your labels.

Storage 

Storing: Fresh made marzipan can be stored in the fridge for up to 10 days so long as it is wrapped tightly in plastic wrap.

Freezing: You can freeze any extra portions of marzipan if it is wrapped tightly in plastic and sealed in an airtight container. It will last for up to 6 months.

Marzipan on a board surrounded my marzipan fruit candies and almonds.

FAQs 

What Does Marzipan Taste Like? Since it’s made of almonds, it has a nutty flavor with a hint of sweetness that is unlike any other nut. In some countries, a few drops of rosewater is added for a delicately floral flavor.

What’s The Difference Between Marzipan and Almond Paste? Almond paste is soft, slightly grainier and not sweet, whereas marzipan is firmer, smoother and sweeter.
Almond paste is usually used in baked goods, while marzipan is usually used on its own on Christmas cake, rolled into candies etc...

Does Marzipan Go Bad? If it is stored correctly or frozen it will last a long time and stay fresh!

You’ll Love These Almond Desserts

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Get the recipe

Veggie Desserts Cookbook by Kate Hackworthy

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📖 Recipe

Marzipan on a wooden board with slices cut.

Marzipan Recipe

Kate Hackworthy | Veggie Desserts
This easy recipe shows you exactly how to make homemade marzipan. Marzipan is used for many sweets, cakes and marzipan fruits and is very popular during the Christmas holiday season. 
Makes 800g / 1lb 12oz
5 from 23 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American, German
Servings 25
Calories 139 kcal

Equipment

  • food processor

Ingredients
 

  • 3 cups (300g) almond meal / ground almonds
  • ½ cup (100g) caster sugar superfine sugar
  • 2 ½ cups (350g) icing sugar
  • 2 egg whites
  • ½ teaspoon almond essence

Instructions
 

  • Add the almond meal and both sugars to a food processor and pulse until it’s a fine powder.
  • Add the egg whites and almond essence and pulse until it comes together into a thick paste.
  • Ready to use immediately, or wrap well and store in the fridge until ready to use - up to 10 days.

Video

Notes

If it’s not coming together, you can add a teaspoon of water or lemon juice.
Marzipan is sweeter and smoother than almond paste.
Try adding a few drops of rose water.
Use it in stollen, many german Christmas recipes, or roll into decorative shapes for marzipan candy.

Nutrition

Calories: 139kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 3gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 4mgPotassium: 4mgFiber: 1gSugar: 16gCalcium: 28mgIron: 1mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

Tried this recipe?Mention @kateveggiedesserts or tag #veggiedesserts! I love seeing your recreations.

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Comments

    5 from 23 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Phyl

    December 16, 2023 at 9:07 am

    5 stars
    So glad I made my own with your recipe. So easy and delicious

    Reply
  2. Matt

    April 13, 2021 at 5:36 pm

    5 stars
    I’d never made marzipan before but this was so easy! Thanks for the awesome guide.

    Reply
  3. Toni

    February 24, 2021 at 3:52 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you for this recipe! I love how it turned out! So easy to make!

    Reply
  4. Sharon

    February 23, 2021 at 7:12 pm

    5 stars
    This marzipan recipe is so easy to make and perfect for special occasions. I love that you included additional recipes to use it in.

    Reply
  5. Erika

    February 08, 2021 at 3:49 pm

    5 stars
    I've always wanted to try to make my own marzipan and this was so easy! Thank you!

    Reply
  6. Kalu Lor

    February 01, 2021 at 3:07 pm

    5 stars
    Thanks for the recipe. I love all the different variation that can be made to the marzipan. Love using during the holidays to make sweet treats.

    Reply
  7. Alex

    January 14, 2021 at 3:44 pm

    5 stars
    I have tried this recipe. It's super easy and delicious. This is going in my recipe book. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  8. Beth

    January 05, 2021 at 1:50 pm

    5 stars
    My dad used to come back from Germany with marzipan. The stuff you buy here is just not the same but this is and now I can make my own!

    Reply
  9. Jenn

    December 29, 2020 at 3:21 pm

    5 stars
    I grew up eating marzipan but had no idea I could make it myself! I love it - and your recipe worked out perfectly!

    Reply
  10. Lizet

    November 11, 2020 at 2:56 pm

    5 stars
    Oh! this is perfect for the holidays. I've been making Stollen for a few years, but without the marzipan because we can't get it here. But I can almonds. My stollen is going to be perfect this year! thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  11. Maria

    November 11, 2020 at 2:54 pm

    5 stars
    Wow! I love how simple this recipe is <3 yummy too

    Reply
  12. Beth

    November 11, 2020 at 2:21 pm

    5 stars
    This looks amazing! I can't wait to give this a try!

    Reply
  13. Lisa | Garlic & Zest

    November 11, 2020 at 1:57 pm

    5 stars
    Wow! It never occurred to me to make my own marzipan- I've always bought it. I didn't even know you could. Thanks for sharing and the detailed instructions. Definitely going to make my own for our holiday celebrations!

    Reply
  14. Traci

    November 11, 2020 at 1:49 pm

    5 stars
    How easy and wonderful this marzipan recipe is. Now I don't have to buy it anymore...thanks!

    Reply
  15. Beth

    November 03, 2020 at 6:12 pm

    5 stars
    This was great and so yummy! So excited!

    Reply

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Kate Hackworthy in the kitchen

Hi, I'm Kate, a journalist, author and multi-award-winning food blogger. Here you'll find vegetarian recipes and vegan recipes celebrating vegetables, from dinner to dessert! If you love vegetables, you've come to the right place. About Me

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