Marzipan From Scratch Recipes

EASY VANILLA MARZIPAN

Steps:

• 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. Don't overdo it as the paste can get greasy. Add a bit more icing sugar if it seems too wet. Shape into a ball, then wrap and keep in a cool place until ready to cover the cake. Can be made up to 2 days in advance.
• Lift the cake onto a cake board or plate, then use a pastry brush to cover evenly with a thin layer of jam. Dust the work surface with more icing sugar, then roll the marzipan into a circle about 40cm across, dusting underneath the marzipan with more icing sugar and turning it a quarter turn after every few pushes of the rolling pin.
• Flip the top of the circle back over your rolling pin so you can see the underside of the marzipan, then lift the pin up and lift the marzipan over the cake. Stop once you can see that the edge of the marzipan nearest you is about level with the bottom of the cake. Flop the front of the marzipan down. Smooth the paste over the cake using the palms of your hands, then trim with a sharp knife. If any cracks appear, simply pinch the paste back together and smooth. Leave to dry for at least 24 hrs, or up to 3 days, before covering with icing.
• How long does homemade marzipan keep? Although homemade marzipan contains raw eggs, the amount of sugar, and lack of moisture, prevents bacteria growing when left at room temperature, so your cake should last for 1-2 months iced. The most important thing is that you don't scrimp on drying time - once you've covered your cake in marzipan it should be left to completely dry out, before you then cover it with icing. If you want to make marzipan before you are ready to cover your cake, then wrap it well in cling film and keep in a fridge for up to a week - as wrapped in a ball it will still contain a little moisture. As it contains raw eggs it shouldn't be given to anyone in an at-risk group, including pregnant women, the elderly, the unwell and the very young. You can make a cooked marzipan, which carries no risks. It is a little softer, and harder to work with, but a good substitute if you are at all worried.

MARZIPAN

Steps:

• Put the almond flour and confectioners sugar on a large cutting board.
• Creat a little hollow in the center.
• Put the 1 tbsp. rosewater and 1 tbsp. water into that center (or 2 tbsps. of either one of them).
• Use a dough scraper to push the dry ingredients from the edges to the center and make cutting movements at the center.
• Repeat until the consistency changes from dry to crumbly, then continue with your hands, kneading the dough.
• Once you have kneaded the marzipan to a smooth consistency, your marzipan is ready to use or to be eaten.

GERMAN HOMEMADE MARZIPAN

Steps:

• Place almonds in a heat-proof bowl and cover with boiling water. Let stand for a few minutes until cool enough to handle. Slip the almonds out of their skins one by one, leaving the remaining almonds in the warm water. Drain almonds in a colander.
• Place almonds and confectioners' sugar in the food processor fitted with a metal blade and process to a paste. Add cold water, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon at a time, if the paste is too dry. Scrape the sides a few times to ensure even processing. Add a few drops of almond extract towards the end of the process. Process marzipan until it is smooth and no longer grainy. Wrap in plastic wrap and store in a cool, dry place.

MARZIPAN FROM SCRATCH

Steps:

• In a large bowl cover almonds with boiling water.
• Let stand for 2 minutes.
• Drain and skin by pressing down on one end forcing the nut to pop out of it's skin.
• In a food processor grind WARM nuts for 2 minutes or until finely ground.
• Add icing sugar and mix for 1 minute or until well blended.
• Blend in almond extract.
• Blend in corn syrup.
• With the motor running pour in enough of the egg white to form a ball.
• Remove and wrap in plastic wrap.
• Place in the fridge for at least two hours or until firm.
• ***Thiscan be stored in the fridge for up to two weeks, in the freezer for 3 months.

HAZELNUT MARZIPAN BALLS

Steps:

• Into a heavy mixer place the powdered sugar, marzipan, ground hazelnuts, and Frangelico. If you do not have a mixer they can be kneaded by hand like a bread dough but it will take a bit of muscle! Use powdered sugar for dusting if you are kneading on a counter or cutting board.
• If your dough seems overly wet and sticky, add enough powdered sugar so you can pinch off small pieces and roll into 1 1/2 inch balls
• Place all of your rolled up balls of center on waxed paper.
• When all of the dough is rolled, melt the chocolate coating in the microwave on LOW (important!) or in a double boiler,
• Once the chocolate is melted, dip each center in melted chocolate and place onto a new piece of wax paper. This sometimes takes a while to get a good technique. I HIGHLY recommend a dipping spoon like they sell at most major craft stores! It only costs a few dollars but will save you a ton of work and make your candy look much prettier!
• As you dip the candies, sprinkle the tops with leftover ground toasted hazelnuts.
• Let firm up for about an hour.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature. They should be fine for a couple of weeks.