4 Ingredient Marzipan Recipe (2024)

Published: by Elizabeth Marek · This post may contain affiliate links · 31 Comments

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All you need to make this Marzipan recipe is almond flour, powdered sugar, extract, and corn syrup (or honey). You can grind your own almond flour with a food processor or buy it from the grocery store. This easy recipe makes delicious marzipan perfect for Christmas cake or decorative shapes.4 Ingredient Marzipan Recipe (1)

Marzipan is a sweet almond paste made of ground almonds similar to fondant or modeling chocolate. It can be colored and shaped into marzipan fruit, used for marzipan cookies, or even rolled out to cover a cake. It’s commonly used in the UK, Italy, and Germany and is like a really good-tasting smooth dough. Store-bought marzipan is super fine and smooth, so people often buy it because they want an extra smooth texture.

Table of contents

  • Marzipan Ingredients
  • How to Make Homemade Marzipan
    • Making Almond Flour
    • Making Marzipan
  • How to Use Marzipan
  • FAQ
  • Related Recipes

Marzipan Ingredients

4 Ingredient Marzipan Recipe (2)Blanched (peeled) almonds or finely ground almond flour are the main ingredient in homemade marzipan and will result in a smoother texture than raw (unpeeled) almonds. It’s more cost-effective to grind your own whole almonds but to save time you can buy finely ground almond flour.

Powdered sugar adds sweetness without adding grit.

Almond extract or vanilla extract is used to bring out that yummy almond flavor. Rose water is also commonly used to add flavor but it is totally optional.

Corn syrup or honey is used as a binder to hold the almond mixture together. Any liquid sweetener like simple syrup, agave, or maple syrup will work.

How to Make Homemade Marzipan

Making Almond Flour

  1. Use blanched almonds without the skin so that your flour is nice and pale.
  2. Grind your almonds in a food processor by pulsing in bursts.
  3. Sift your almonds through a strainer to remove any large bits of almond.
  4. Return the larger pieces to the food processor to grind up again.
  5. Repeat the process until you have enough finely ground almond flour.

Making Marzipan

  1. Place the almond flour and powdered sugar in the bowl of your stand mixer with the paddle attachment and mix until combined. You can also mix this by hand with a spatula.4 Ingredient Marzipan Recipe (3)
  2. Add the corn syrup and extract and mix on low for about 1 minute until the dough starts sticking together. If it comes together when you squeeze it with your hand, it’s done mixing. If your marzipan seems dry, add another teaspoon of corn syrup and keep blending.4 Ingredient Marzipan Recipe (4)4 Ingredient Marzipan Recipe (5)
  3. Place the butter on top of the marzipan and knead it together on the counter. The butter is optional but it will help make your marzipan smooth.4 Ingredient Marzipan Recipe (6)
  4. Wrap the marzipan in plastic wrap and seal it in a Ziploc bag. Refrigerate for at least an hour before forming it into shapes. Fresh marzipan keeps in the fridge for 6 weeks or freezer for 6 months or more.4 Ingredient Marzipan Recipe (7)4 Ingredient Marzipan Recipe (8)4 Ingredient Marzipan Recipe (9)4 Ingredient Marzipan Recipe (10)

How to Use Marzipan

  • Tear the marzipan dough into pieces and use a modeling tool to form it into fun shapes like pears, apples, or pumpkins.4 Ingredient Marzipan Recipe (11)
  • Coloring marzipan is pretty easy as long as you use gel food coloring instead of liquid. I like to wear gloves when I'm coloring marzipan so that it doesn't stain my hands.4 Ingredient Marzipan Recipe (12)4 Ingredient Marzipan Recipe (13)
  • You can also dust the marzipan with edible food powder to add some realism.4 Ingredient Marzipan Recipe (14)
  • To color the marzipan dark brown, I add a bit of cocoa powder to the marzipan and then my brown food gel.
  • To keep the marzipan from sticking to my hands, I put some butter on my fingertips and kneaded it through the marzipan until it wasn’t sticky anymore.
  • You can cover your cakes with marzipan as an excellent alternative to fondant. Keep in mind that marzipan is not as stretchy as fondant but it tastes really good. You'll need about two batches of this recipe to cover a three-tiered wedding cake.4 Ingredient Marzipan Recipe (15)

FAQ

What is marzipan for?

Marzipan is most commonly used for marzipan candy, for coloring and shaping into fun designs, and forcovering cakes like fruit cakes. It is similar toalmond pastebut contains more sugar so it is sweeter.Marzipan is a sweet paste similar to fondant in that it can be shaped, colored, and used for covering cakes but fondant is more elastic and doesn’t contain any almonds.

Do you have a marzipan recipe without egg whites?

This marzipan recipe does not have egg whites. Traditional marzipan recipes use egg whites but I prefer corn syrup or honey as the binder. The shelf life of the marzipan is longer and there is no risk of eating raw egg white. If you prefer to use egg white, replace half the corn syrup withpasteurized egg white. If you use honey keep in mind that the marzipan will have a slight honey flavor. The great thing is that this recipe can be vegan, paleo, and keto-friendly.

Is marzipan just almond paste?

Although very similar (both are made with almonds and sugar) marzipan and almond paste are different. Almond paste is not very sweet and is typically not flavored. Marzipan is very fine in texture, sweeter and firmer than almond paste so it can hold its shape. The term almond paste is more commonly used as filling in pastries like frangipane tarts and bear claws.

Can you eat raw marzipan?

Many marzipan recipes use raw egg whites as a binder, but this recipe uses corn syrup instead. Either recipe is safe to eat raw as long as you are not allergic to raw eggs or nuts.

Should I refrigerate marzipan?

Marzipan can last for 6 months in the fridge or 6 months in the freezer if you wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in a Ziploc bag or an airtight container. It will start to harden and develop bacteria if you leave it out at room temperature for too long.

Can you use almond meal instead of almond flour?

Almond flour is made from blanched (peeled) almonds and has a finer texture, while almond meal is made from raw (unpeeled) almonds. You can grind your own raw almonds to make almond meal for this recipe, but your marzipan will have a slightly coarser texture.

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Recipe

4 Ingredient Marzipan Recipe (16)

Easy Marzipan Recipe

The best homemade marzipan recipe comes together in 10 minutes with only 4 ingredients! This recipe is very cheap to make and has less sugar than store bought. Traditional recipes use egg whites, but this vegan marzipan recipe uses corn syrup as a binder instead

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: French

Servings: 14 ounces

Calories: 65kcal

Author: Elizabeth Marek

Equipment

  • 1 Food processor

Ingredients

  • 5 ounces fine almond flour
  • 6 ounces powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract or vanilla or rose water
  • 3 ounces corn syrup
  • 1 Tablespoon butter (optional for kneading)

Instructions

Making Almond Flour

  • Use blanched almonds without the skin so that your flour is nice and pale.

  • Grind your almonds in a food processor by pulsing in bursts.

  • Sift your almonds through a strainer to remove any large bits of almond.

  • Return the larger pieces to the food processor to grind up again.

  • Repeat the process until you have enough finely ground almond flour.

Making Marzipan

  • Place the almond flour and powdered sugar in the bowl of your stand mixer with the paddle attachment and mix until combined. You can also mix this by hand with a spatula.

  • Add the corn syrup and extract and mix on low for about 1 minute until the dough starts sticking together. If it comes together when you squeeze it with your hand, it’s done mixing. If your marzipan seems dry, add another teaspoon of corn syrup and keep blending.

  • Place the butter on top of the marzipan and knead it together on the counter. The butter is optional but it will help make your marzipan smooth.

  • Wrap the marzipan in plastic wrap and seal it in a Ziploc bag. Refrigerate for at least an hour before forming it into shapes. Fresh marzipan keeps in the fridge for 6 weeks or freeze for 6 months or more.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ounce | Calories: 65kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 4mg | Sugar: 17g | Calcium: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. April says

    Looks very easy and somewhat redeemable using honey instead of corn syrup. SOME QUESTIONS:
    - the info states this yields 14 ounces; how much marzipan does this recipe make with regard to covering a cake a la fondant style?
    - since it tears easier than fondant, should marzipan always be rolled out thicker than fondant would typically be rolled?
    - should it come to room temperature before attempting to roll out or best to start rolling it out fairly chilled?

    As always, much appreciated!!!

    Reply

    • The Sugar Geek Show says

      If you can imagine how much about 1 pound of fondant looks like, thats about how much marzipan this makes. It does not have much stretch at all so the cake should not be very tall and the corners will be rounded. You can work with it chilled.

      Reply

  2. Maggie says

    4 Ingredient Marzipan Recipe (21)
    This recipe tastes, looks, and feels so good I highly recommended

    Reply

  3. Christine says

    4 Ingredient Marzipan Recipe (22)
    Hi, I absolutely love this recipe it's the best marzipan recipe I've ever tried. I just have one question, how do I prevent it from cracking? It worked fine when I used it as a lid for a cake - but when I tried to make figures, they started cracking. Can I do anything to prevent this?

    Reply

    • Elizabeth Marek says

      They might be a little dry, add a bit more butter

      Reply

  4. Laura says

    I made this to put inside chocolate candies. It was divine inside a dark chocolate heart shell! I made one mistake, though- it seemed like 1 teaspoon of rosewater would not be enough, so I put in 3. It smelled and so strongly of roses, it was like drinking perfume! I added some almond extract to bring the almond taste back, and added more almond flour to account for the extra moisture. After sitting in the fridge overnight the flavors balanced out and it was delicious.

    BTW I really appreciate that the recipe does not use eggs. My daughter is vegan, and she was able to enjoy the chocolates along with the rest of the family. (-:

    Reply

  5. Ava says

    4 Ingredient Marzipan Recipe (23)
    This recipe worked perfect! Thank you so much, I had no idea it was so easy to make Marzipan 😀

    Reply

  6. Chandra says

    4 Ingredient Marzipan Recipe (24)
    I used this recipe and made pumpkins and vines to decorate the top of a cake. It worked great, and the cake turned out really cute. I plan to use the leftovers to make chocolate covered candies. Thank you for the recipe!

    Reply

  7. Ms Katie says

    I can't wait to try this! This Halloween I'm dressing as Professor Pomona Sprout and I'm making little flower pots of Mandrake marzipan. I hope it turns out as I think it will!

    Reply

    • Elizabeth Marek says

      Thats a perfect idea for Marzipan!

      Reply

  8. Di says

    Hello Liz,
    Does golden syrup or honey work instead of corn syrup?
    Thank you

    Reply

    • Elizabeth Marek says

      Yes you could definitely use golden syrup

      Reply

  9. Sandra Harrison says

    4 Ingredient Marzipan Recipe (25)
    Just used it today. Super easy, great texture! Will definitely be my go to marzipan recipe!

    Reply

  10. Frank Lane says

    Can you use any honey instead of corn syrup

    Reply

    • Sugar Geek Show says

      yes!

      Reply

  11. amanda says

    Will this marzipan eventually dry and be stable at room temp? I was thinking of using it to make decorations for a gingerbread house. Do you think it would work in that application?

    Reply

    • Sugar Geek Show says

      Hi! It will dry out somewhat, however, it's not stable at room temperature. It can be kept in the fridge for up to 6 weeks.

      Reply

  12. Renee says

    4 Ingredient Marzipan Recipe (26)
    Can you put marzipan decorations on cream cheese frosting? Thank you!

    Reply

    • Elizabeth Marek says

      Yes you sure can

      Reply

  13. Alnosca Peppin says

    Can I substitute almonds with cashews?

    Reply

    • Elizabeth Marek says

      Yes you can

      Reply

  14. Karen says

    You say keep it in the fridge for up to 6 weeks, but what happens once you have used it on a cake and then covered it in fondant icing. How long will it last at room temperature on the cake?

    Reply

    • Elizabeth Marek says

      Longer than the cake would last 🙂 Its not going to spoil at room temperature.

      Reply

  15. Shirley says

    Can I bake these marzipan cookies?

    Reply

    • Elizabeth Marek says

      These are not cookies, it's just straight marzipan.

      Reply

  16. Jill Garrard says

    Hi! Is it possible to replace the corn syrup with liquid glucose?
    Thanks!

    Reply

    • Elizabeth Marek says

      I think that would be ok

      Reply

  17. Dina says

    Not sure how the butter is to be used in this recipe. Do I melt it and incorporate it into the dough or cut it in cubes? I’m a first timer with making this.

    Reply

    • Elizabeth Marek says

      Just knead it into the finished marzipan, it helps with the stickiness.

      Reply

  18. Dina says

    Hi. I found my answer on your video. Thanks 😊

    Reply

  19. DeAnna says

    4 Ingredient Marzipan Recipe (27)
    Delicious!! I've made marzipan with three different recipes that I found online. I'm allergic to eggs, so that narrowed my choices. Your recipe is the best!! Thank you!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

4 Ingredient Marzipan Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How is marzipan made from scratch? ›

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.

What can you use in place of marzipan? ›

Persipan is similar to marzipan but is made out of apricot or peach kernels instead of almonds, and is often used as a substitute in the event of nut allergies.

What is the difference between almond paste and marzipan? ›

Almond paste has a coarser texture but is much softer than marzipan, which allows it to be spread as a filling. Unlike marzipan, almond paste holds up in baking. The sugar content of almond paste is lower and its almond content higher than marzipan.

What is the difference between German and Spanish marzipan? ›

German marzipan is made by grinding whole almonds with sugar and partially drying the paste, and French marzipan (called 'massepain') is made by combining ground almonds with sugar syrup. Some marzipan is flavoured with rosewater. Spanish marzipan is made without bitter almonds.

What is German marzipan made of? ›

It's super easy to make your own marzipan. This authentic recipe from Germany is made without eggs and needs only two ingredients, whole almonds and confectioners' sugar. If you like, you can flavor it with almond extract. Roll into small balls and drizzle with melted chocolate for a gorgeous festive gift.

Why is marzipan so expensive? ›

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.

What is marzipan called in America? ›

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.

Why does marzipan not taste like almonds? ›

Marzipan and almond paste are made from ground almonds and sugar but differ mainly in texture, sweetness, and use. Almond paste is coarser, less sweet, and used as a filling in baked goods. Marzipan is smoother, sweeter, and often used for decorative purposes in confectionery, such as cake covering and sculpting.

What is frangipane vs marzipan? ›

Frangipane is a rich, cream-based filling, while marzipan is a thick paste mostly used for decorative purposes. The main thing they have in common is the almonds required to make each one, but beyond that, they're wildly different — especially in consistency — meaning you'll find them used differently, too.

Which country makes the best marzipan? ›

Lübecker Marzipan from Lübeck, Germany

These regulations enforce sugar content to be limited to 30%, ensuring an extremely high quality almond paste marzipan.

What is the old name for marzipan? ›

The German name 'marzipan' has supplanted the original English name 'marchpane. ' Some theorise that it originally comes from the Latin 'martius panis', or 'March bread'. Others cite Arabic, Burmese, or Persian as the language of origin.

What is the French version of marzipan? ›

massepain

What is so special about marzipan? ›

The glory of marzipan is because it holds a shape easily, you can cut out or mold your own figures to decorate holiday pastries. It's also used as a kind of heavy-duty frosting for Christmas cakes because it helps long-keeping cakes (like fruitcakes) retain their moisture instead of going stale.

Is marzipan healthy? ›

The best quality marzipan contains less sugar in the raw mix. Good marzipan contains minerals such calcium, potassium and magnesium and is also rich in vitamin B and polyunsaturated fatty acids. On the downside, marzipan is high in fat and in sugar.

Why is marzipan so tasty? ›

Fondant is primarily made with icing sugar, so you'll need to add extra ingredients if you want it to have a distinct flavour. On the other hand, the ground almonds in marzipan contribute to its unmistakable almond aroma and taste.

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