Food Files: Marzipan vs. almond paste

  • Posted: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 7:00 a.m.
  • Text size: A A A

Dear Lisa: I have a recipe which calls for almond paste. If I can't find it, can I substitute marzipan? Aren't they about the same? -- E.M.


Dear E.M.: Marzipan and almond paste both contain essentially the same ingredients: ground almonds, sugar and water.


Almond paste has a pronounced almond flavor and is used as an ingredient in cooking and baking. Marzipan is made from almond paste with additional sugar and flavoring, and sometimes egg whites, depending on the manufacturer. This makes marzipan more pliable and easier to roll and shape.


Marzipan is used like modeling clay for sculpting small fruits, flowers or other decorative confections. It tends to be sweeter than almond paste because additional sugar has been added, and that also diminishes the almond flavor somewhat.


Depending on the recipe you are using, you may be able to substitute marzipan for almond paste with satisfactory results. Formulations vary widely between manufacturers, and some make a less sweet marzipan.


You may want to keep this recipe handy for making your own almond paste.



ALMOND PASTE


3 cups whole blanched almonds


1 cup sugar


1/4 teaspoon salt


1 cup light corn syrup


2 teaspoons almond extract


Combine the almonds, sugar and salt in the bowl of a food processor; pulse until the almonds are finely ground.


Add the corn syrup and almond extract; process until the mixture is moistened. Stop processing, and break the mixture up with a spatula, then process again until the mixture forms a ball. Yield: 1 pound.


* Lisa Fritz, a longtime Bryan food and nutrition educator, answers readers' questions about food, cooking and recipes. Her email address is cheflisa525@yahoo.com.

Notice about comments: The Eagle is proud to offer our users enhanced commenting features. You can now build user‐to‐user connections, follow friend's recent posts, add an avatar that fits your personality, and more. If you have posted here before you'll need to sign up again and if you've never posted start now by signing up!