• Home
  • About
  • Contact Me
  • Disclosure & Privacy Policy
  • Work With Me
    • Work With Me
    • Brands & Features
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • E-mail
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Gluten Free Alchemist

Positively Coeliac - Adventurously Gluten Free

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Big Cakes & Celebration Cakes
    • Tray Bakes, Brownies, Blondies & Flapjacks
    • Small Cakes; Cupcakes; Muffins & More
    • Cookies & Biscuits
    • Desserts & Trifles
    • Sweet Pastry, Pies, Pastries & Tarts
    • Ice Cream, Sorbets & Ices
    • No Bake Recipes
    • Sweets & Other Sweet Stuff
    • Preserves
    • Sweet Extras : Icings, Fillings, Ganaches, Sauces etc
    • Scones (Sweet & Savoury)
    • Batter : Pancakes, Blinis, Waffles & More
    • Bread (& Pasta)
    • Breakfast & Brunch Ideas
    • Lunch & Light Meals
    • Soups & Salads
    • Main Meals (inc Casseroles and Slow-Cooked)
    • Savoury Pastry, Pies & Bakes
    • Appetisers, Starters & Sides
    • Party, Picnic & Lunchbox (Savoury)
    • Drinks & Things That Go With Drinks
    • Vegan-Gluten Free
    • Christmas Recipes
  • Gluten Free Travel
    • Travel Index
    • Travel Tips & Planning
    • Gluten Free Travel Destinations Abroad
    • Travel Experiences
  • Gluten Free Flours/Flour Blends
  • Coeliac Parenting Guide
    • Introduction
    • Discovering Your Child Is Coeliac
    • Food – A Guide to Safe Eating & Cross-Contamination
    • Eating Out – Restaurants & Fast Food
    • Managing Child Care & Education
    • Managing Play Dates and Parties
    • Managing Adolescence & Secondary School
Home » Gluten Free Sweet Treats » Sweets » Easy 4-Ingredient Marzipan Recipe

Christmas Easter Gluten Free Baking & Ingredients Gluten Free Sweet Treats Sweets

Easy 4-Ingredient Marzipan Recipe

Tweet1
Pin60
Share98
Yum1
Flip
Share
Share
160 Shares
Jump to Recipe

This MARZIPAN RECIPE is so easy and so delicious, it is the only Marzipan Recipe you will ever need. Gluten free and dairy free.

DON’T LOSE THIS RECIPE… PIN IT FOR LATER…

marzipan-recipe-pin

The Easiest Marzipan Recipe

This is the easiest marzipan recipe ever. How do I know? Because I’ve been making it for literally years… And the day I worked out how to make it was the day I stopped buying ready-made marzipan… forever!

This marzipan recipe uses just 4 ingredients and can literally be made in 5 to 10 minutes. It tastes incredible (way better than the shop stuff)… You have complete control over the flavour additions… AND you’re about to save a small fortune by making it yourself.

marzipan-roll-cut

Where does Marzipan originate?

Marzipan (and its slightly softer sister, known as almond paste) have been around for a long time. Apparently, there is reference to an almond paste being used as an aphrodisiac in Middle Eastern Folk Stories (The Arabian Nights), which span the 8th to the 14th Centuries. However, the earliest references to something called ‘marzipan’ appear to date back to the 16th Century, with pharmacies apparently offering it as having healing qualities!

Although these days, it is found in various recipes and treats across Europe, the Middle East and Latin America, the creation of the original marzipan recipe as we know it today is disputed. Both the towns of Tallinn in Estonia and Lübeck in Germany claim the invention crown. Even Turkey has apparently registered their interest.

In reality, no one really knows… But this time-old, treasured confection remains a rather exotic treat. Whether moulded into intricate shapes and painted, smothered in chocolate, or used as a fruit cake covering for Christmas, weddings and celebrations, marzipan is still considered something decadent in the confectionary and baking world.

Whatever its origins, it is utterly delicious.

homemade-marzipan

How to make this Marzipan Recipe

For the sceptics among you who are questioning just how easy it is to make something as luxurious as Marzipan with just 4 ingredients and in less than 10 minutes, read on…

As long as Marzipan history dictates, the base marzipan recipe has only consisted of ground almonds, sugar or honey and something to bind (usually egg white or whole egg). In addition, it is usually flavoured with additional almond extract for intensity. Or, may alternatively be infused with anything from vanilla, cinnamon and other spices… to citrus or floral extracts.

Many ‘formal’ Marzipan recipes dictate boiling or heating of sugar-mixtures to make the marzipan paste. But to be honest, it seems like a lot of faff for something which tastes no better.

making-marzipan-recipe
making-marzipan-recipe
making-marzipan-recipe

To make this marzipan recipe, you literally get a large bowl or food processor… weigh the ingredients (almonds, icing (confectioners) sugar, egg white and any flavouring) into it… and mix until smooth. Actually… I think the result tastes better than many marzipans bought in the shops. But don’t listen to me… Make some at home and let yourself be the judge.

iced-christmas-cake
Traditional Christmas Fruit Cake – Iced

Can I Marzipan a Christmas Cake with this recipe

The quantities of ingredients listed on the recipe card are enough to cover a deep 8 inch Christmas Cake. And just like shop-bought marzipan, the recipe is suitable for using and storing ahead of time.

Some of you may be worried about using raw egg whites. But actually, raw egg has always been the traditional moistener for marzipan and the shelf-life has never been an issue. However, when I make Marzipan, I mostly use the pasteurised egg whites that come in a carton from the supermarket. It gives added reassurance that the marzipan will last as long as the cake!

marzipan-recipe-2

Tips to Marzipan a Christmas Cake

Before Rolling the Marzipan…

If you are a little worried about getting the marzipan onto the cake, here’s a few tips and tricks to help. At the end of the day… the marzipan will be covered in icing anyway, so I really wouldn’t stress too much about perfection.

  • Make sure that the Christmas Cake has had time for the last ‘feed’ to be absorbed fully before starting the decoration process. (Typically 1 to 2 weeks between final feed and marzipan coating).
  • Prepare the marzipan and (if it has been stored in the fridge) bring to room temperature before rolling.
  • To ensure that your marzipan is rolled out to the right size, take a piece of ribbon or string and hold one end at the base of one side of the cake. Holding firm, unroll the ribbon/string across the top of the cake (as central as possible) and down to the bottom of the opposite side. Cut the ribbon/string at that point. The ribbon is now equal to the diameter the rolled marzipan needs to be to fit the cake.
  • The fruit cake will need to be coated in a light layer of suitable smooth jam before covering with marzipan. Clear apricot jam is ideal. Transfer about half a jar of jam to a microwavable bowl or small saucepan and heat thoroughly until just boiling and runny. Then brush the jam over the whole of the cake.
fruit-cake
fruit-cake-jam-coating

From rolling pin to cake…

  • Generously dust a large piece of baking parchment or the work surface with sifted icing sugar.
  • Slightly flatten the marzipan into a disc with your hand, before carefully rolling, frequently turning to keep the rolled marzipan as circular as possible. Measure the marzipan with your guide ribbon/string from time to time and stop rolling when the marzipan has been evenly rolled to a tiny bit bigger than the length of the ribbon-guide. Make sure the ribbon ‘fits’ the whole way around the circle in all directions.
  • Using the support of the rolling pin, carefully lift the rolled marzipan centrally over the cake.
  • Use hands and a cake scraper, smooth the marzipan on the top cake surface before working the sides.
  • Then carefully ease the marzipan down the sides of the cake with your hands, working slowly round until the marzipan is tight on the cake and smooth.
  • Use a sharp knife to carefully trim the excess marzipan away from the base of the cake.
  • Give a final smoothing of the surface and sides with the cake scraper.
  • Leave the marzipaned cake in a cool, dry place to harden and dry out before adding an icing coat (typically around 24 hours).
sizing-marzipan
marzipan-cake-covering

What else can I do with homemade Marzipan?

Marzipan is a versatile confection. Whether a homemade marzipan recipe or shop-bought, it can be used for making anything from simple marzipan chocolates, through to covering the Christmas Cake, or making a delicious marzipan-coated Battenberg Cake. It is popular at Easter as well as Christmas for decorating Simnel Cake and at Gluten Free Alchemist we have even hidden it inside home-made Hot Cross Buns for an extra seasonal surprise. Marzipan is a perfect topping alongside fondant icing on our autumnal spiced Pumpkin and Walnut Cakes and for our Pistachio, Orange and Raspberry Fondant Fancies.

homemade-marzipan-chocolates
A Trio of Homemade Marzipan Chocolates
marzipan-hot-cross-buns
Almond, Cherry, Apricot & Marzipan Hot Cross Buns

Can I make Marzipan with different nuts?

For those of you who don’t or can’t do almonds, but can have other nuts, the great news is that Marzipan can be made in a variety of forms… As long as the nuts are ground to a rough sand-like consistency, it seems that most will work. I’ve tried a few different nut marzipan recipes… pistachio, hazelnut, walnut… The ratios of liquid egg may need to be a little less or more dependent on the oil-content of the nuts, but the basic principles are the same.

Click for my Pistachio Marzipan Recipe… It’s one of my favourites!

homemade-marzipan-stack
Pistachio, Almond and Orange Marzipan Chocolates

Can I make Marzipan that isn’t flavoured almond?

Absolutely yes! A basic almond marzipan recipe is a blank flavour canvas. It can be infused with any extracts and spices that you love. At Gluten Free Alchemist, we have also made a marzipan recipe which includes freeze dried fruit powder to make Cherry-Almond Marzipan for a Cherry-Chocolate Battenberg Cake… A delicious triumph.

If it’s a boozy treat that you enjoy, homemade marzipan will even take the addition of a little alcohol in spirit form (but avoid cream-liqueurs as they will likely limit the shelf-life of the dough).

Whatever inspires, the likelihood is that marzipan will take it willingly… And when unsure, it’s easy to knead a drop in to test a taster, without the risk of wasting the whole batch.

marzipan-cherry-chocolate-battenburg-cake
Cherry-Chocolate Battenburg Cake with Cherry-Almond Marzipan

Is this Marzipan recipe ‘free-from’?

For the Coeliacs, gluten avoiders and dairy free among us, the great news is that this Marzipan recipe is safe. You’ll find no gluten or dairy here!

For the egg avoiders, sorry. This recipe does contain egg. However, it should be relatively easy to substitute this with finely-sieved aqua faba (chickpea water) at a similar volume to the egg white (adding a little at a time until happy with the consistency). I’ll be honest, I haven’t actually tried it myself, but it seems logical that it will work… I have even seen some recipes that simply use water in place of egg.

For those with a nut-allergy, marzipan at Gluten Free Alchemist currently relies on nuts both for its traditional consistency and flavour. Sorry. Most nut-free recipes use an alternative of semolina (which of course is not suitable for Coeliac sufferers.

I have some ideas about how to bridge the gap… And will see what I can do to create a recipe that is as marzipan-like as possible. It won’t however be this side of Christmas.

homemade-marzipan-recipe-1

Made my marzipan recipe?

Do let me know if you make this Marzipan recipe. I’d love to hear how you found it and what you used it for… Leave a comment, rate the recipe and tag me on social media with any photos of your incredible creations.

For all other gluten free recipe inspiration, check out our Gluten Free Recipe Book Index.

homemade-marzipan-recipe-1
Print Recipe
5 from 3 votes

Easy Almond Marzipan Recipe

Easy 4 ingredient, one-bowl homemade marzipan recipe. Suitable for covering fruit, Christmas and Battenberg cakes, for making chocolates and for making marzipan balls and shapes.
Recipe makes enough to cover one deep 8 inch (20 cm) Christmas Cake.
Prep Time10 mins
Total Time10 mins
Course: Birthday, Christmas, Easter, frostings & icings, Sweet Treats, sweets
Cuisine: British, Dairy Free, European, Gluten Free
Keyword: cake decorating, ingredients, marzipan
Servings: 20 on a deep fruit cake
Calories per serving: 112.2kcal
Author: Gluten Free Alchemist – Kate Dowse

Key equipment

  • Kitchen scales
  • large mixing bowl or food processor
  • sieve
  • wooden or silicone spoon
  • cling film

Ingredients

  • 230 g ground almonds almond meal
  • 230 g icing sugar confectioners sugar
  • 60 g egg white preferably pasteurised (or to desired texture)
  • 1½ tsp almond extract
Metric – US Customary

Instructions

  • Weigh the ground almonds into the bowl.
  • Weigh the icing sugar and if mixing by hand, sieve into the bowl with the almonds. If using a food processor, weigh straight into the processor bowl.
  • Mix the ground almonds with the icing sugar using a firm wooden/silicone spoon or by giving a quick 'pulse' in a food processor.
  • Add the egg white and almond extract and mix together until even and well blended with the spoon, or for a few seconds in the food processor. The dough should now be a smooth, soft ball of marzipan.
  • Knead the marzipan with hands for a couple of minutes before wrapping in clingfilm.
  • Refrigerate until ready to use, but bring to room temperature before rolling or moulding.

Notes

* Note: nutritional information is an estimate & may vary according to portion size/ingredient variants.

Nutrition

Calories: 112.2kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 2.8g | Fat: 5.7g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Sodium: 5.2mg | Potassium: 4.9mg | Fiber: 1.2g | Sugar: 11.7g | Calcium: 24.1mg | Iron: 0.4mg
Tried this recipe?Take a pic & tag @glutenfreealchemist on Instagram & Facebook (GFAlchemist1 : Twitter) ~ #glutenfreealchemist ~ I love seeing your posts x

© 2019-2021 Kate Dowse All Rights Reserved – Do not copy or re-publish this recipe or any part of this recipe on any other blog, on social media or in a publication without the express permission of Gluten Free Alchemist

Marzipan Recipe Shared With:

  • Fiesta Friday #358 with Angie and Food Daydreaming
  • Cook Blog Share with Lost In Food
  • Blogger’s Pit Stop #251
  • Over The Moon #255 with Eclectic Red Barn and Marilyn’s Treats
  • What’s For Dinner #293 with The Lazy Gastronome
  • Full Plate Thursday #515 with Miz Helen’s Country Cottage
Tweet1
Pin60
Share98
Yum1
Flip
Share
Share
160 Shares


8 Comments

This page may contain affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and go on to buy the product recommended, I will get a very small commission. You will not however be charged any more than if you went direct to the site. 

I will only ever recommend products that I actually have in my kitchen or would buy myself. 

Please note that where a recipe contains alcohol, it is NOT suitable for children. Always drink and use alcohol responsibly. For more information, see the Drink Aware website.

Previous Post: « ZENB Veggie Sticks – Amazing bars that may change the way you snack!
Next Post: Homemade Marzipan Chocolates Inspired by the Lubeck Christmas Markets »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says

    17/12/2020 at 2:56 pm

    Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party. Have a great rest of the week!

    Reply
    • GlutenFreeAlchemist says

      22/12/2020 at 10:39 am

      Thank you Helen. You’re so welcome x

      Reply
  2. Eff | Food Daydreaming says

    17/12/2020 at 11:05 am

    I’ve not made marzipan before, and your post has convinced me to try it out! Thanks for joining the fiesta

    Reply
    • GlutenFreeAlchemist says

      22/12/2020 at 10:39 am

      Oh Fabulous! Yes… you must… Once tried, you’ll be converted xx

      Reply
  3. Choclette says

    15/12/2020 at 5:58 pm

    5 stars
    I keep seeing your marzipan recipes and chocolates all over FB and now I just want a massive chunk of homemade marzipan to chomp on. It’s sooooo much nicer than any shop bought stuff, but I haven’t made any in years. Must give it a go, my mother would love some for Christmas.

    Merry Christmas Kate, I hope you all have a good time.

    Reply
    • GlutenFreeAlchemist says

      22/12/2020 at 10:38 am

      Absolutely Choclette. And so perfect at Christmas time. I’m always surprised there’s any left for the cake though…. Just happy to munch from the bowl xx

      Reply
  4. Helen - Cooking with my kids says

    14/12/2020 at 12:31 pm

    5 stars
    I didn’t realise making your own marzipan could be so simple.

    Reply
    • GlutenFreeAlchemist says

      22/12/2020 at 10:37 am

      Oh yes Helen! And it’s so much nicer than shop-bought stuff xx

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Connect & Follow

  • Bloglovin
  • E-mail
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

About Me

Welcome to Gluten Free Alchemist.
I’m Kate – gluten free recipe developer, traveller, photographer, blogger and mum to a Coeliac teenager… living Coeliac life without limits.
Join our family journey as I share recipe and travel adventures and as we support each other in overcoming life’s Coeliac hurdles. Read More…

CONTACT Gluten Free Alchemist

Looking For Something? Click For Index

gluten-free-recipes-index

Categories

Instagram

Who loves a Scotch Egg? Well here’s the good ne Who loves a Scotch Egg? 
Well here’s the good news. Even if you’re Coeliac, you can still have them. They’re really easy to make... Just use gluten free sausage meat and breadcrumbs.
Homemade ones are also so much nicer than shop ones... AND you get to eat them fresh, hot and with the egg yolk just how you like it... For me, that’s a little bit soft and sticky. 
So who fancies having a go? 
Grab the recipe from the blog. Xx
#scotchegg #glutenfreescotcheggs #homemadescotcheggs #glutenfree #glutenfreealchemist #forkyeah #cookblogshare #foodblogger #tastemademedoit #instafood #fromscratch #feedfeed #feedfeedglutenfree #britainsbesthomecooks_ #foodblogfeed #huffposttaste #buzzfeedfood #worldsgreatesthomecooks #singluten #glutenfrei #coeliacsafe #cooking #foodporn #foodphotography #glutenfreeuk #glutenfreeeats #nolimits #eeeeats 
@thefeedfeed @thefeedfeed.glutenfree @huffposttaste @britainsbesthomecooks_ @worldsgreatesthomecooks @foodblogfeed @buzzfeedfood
Gluten free? When was the last time you ate ‘nor Gluten free? When was the last time you ate ‘normal bread’? 
Apparently it’s real bread week... So I’m doing it gluten free style! I’ve got INCREDIBLE GLUTEN FREE BREAD recipes on the blog... This one is my hand baked Wholemeal... No bread-maker needed!
It has no preservatives, yet STILL stays fresh for days....
Which means there’s NO waste... because you don’t need to make a massive loaf that is stale by the next day or only fit for toast.
There’s no need to ‘refresh’... AND you can even eat it straight from the oven.... yeah... that’s rare!
It makes soft sandwiches and crunchy toast... 
you can add seeds... or not...
There’s even a vegan version if you can’t eat eggs!
This bread is like eating normal bread... That’s rare too!
Super-easy to make (sure you need some flours but that is why this bread beats all the others hands down!)
Your choice!
#realbread #realbreadweek #glutenfreebread #homemadebread #glutenfreewholemeal #wholemealbread #glutenfreealchemist #glutenfree #singluten #senzagluten #glutenfrei #coeliacsafe #breadbaker #foodblogger #glutenfreebreadrecipe #breadporn #feedfeed #feedfeedglutenfree #huffposttaste #thebakefeed #britainsbesthomecooks_ #glutenfreeuk #nolimits #paulhollywoodhandshake #eeeeats #recipedeveloper #breadbaking #fromsctratch
Popped out for milk this evening to be greeted by Popped out for milk this evening to be greeted by this. Big... Beautiful... Sky.
I LOVE where I live 🧡♥️ 
#skywatchers #sunset #sunsetphotography #whitstable #tankerton #whitstablesky #whitstablesunset #coastalsky #lookup #sunrise_and_sunsets #igerskent #explorekent #visitkent #redsky #endoftheday #beachlife #hometown #tankertonbeach #sunsetsofinstagram #skyphotography #skyscape
Are Creme Eggs your thing? I’m definitely a min Are Creme Eggs your thing? 
I’m definitely a mini Creme Egg girl... These days I find the big ones a bit sickly.
Even better... The little ones are perfect for these Creme Egg Cupcakes... Moist, Light gluten free chocolate cake... topped with vanilla butter icing and half a mini egg... AND... Just like your own special Easter egg hunt... You’ll find a mini Creme Egg baked into the sponge.
Can I tempt you? 🤔
Recipe on the blog xx
#easter #chocolatecupcakes #eastercupcakes #cremeegg #cremeeggcupcakes #glutenfreecupcakes #cadburycremeegg #glutenfreealchemist #glutenfree #foodblogger #recipecreator #bakersgonnabake #eeeeats #feedfeed #feedfeedglutenfree #foodblogfeed #thebakefeed #singluten #senzaglutine #glutenfrei #coeliacsafe #glutenfreeuk #forkyeah #bakingaddiction #fromscratch #foodheaven #droolclub #cakeporn 
@cadburyuk @foodblogfeed @thefeedfeed @thefeedfeed.glutenfree @thebakefeed
Who fancies making a super-easy no bake Creme Egg Who fancies making a super-easy no bake Creme Egg Biscuit Cake? Make the last couple of weeks of home-school fun and get the kids involved. Or whip one up for Easter! 
I’ve yet to eat many people who don’t love a slice and it’s as fun to make as it is pretty to look at 💜
What do you think? Eastery enough? 
I’m still working on the Hot X Buns... had a major breakthrough today! Just need to see whether they are still soft tomorrow and then test with some alternative flour xxxx
#easter #cremeeggs #cremeeggbiscuitcake #biscuitcake #nobake #glutenfree #glutenfreealchemist #fridgecake #glutenfreeuk #foodblogger #feedfeed #thefoodblogfeed #huffposttaste #britainsbesthomecooks_ #worldsgreatesthomecooks #forkyeah #eeeeats #cadburycremeegg #coeliacfriendly #instafood #easyrecipes #cookblogshare #glutenfrei #droolclub #sweettreats #cookwithkids #damnthatsdelish #easydessert 
@thefeedfeed @foodblogfeed @huffposttaste @britainsbesthomecooks_ @worldsgreatesthomecooks @cadburyuk
A favourite Porridge Bowl discovery... Buckwheat P A favourite Porridge Bowl discovery... Buckwheat Porridge with Apricot, Blueberries, Chopped Nuts and a drizzle of Maple Syrup 🧡💙
I often see comments in FB groups about people not being able to cook porridge that isn’t oat, without it turning to mush. So I’ve played with all the grains to find the best way to porridge with texture and taste. 
Want to know how? 
Head over to the blog ➡️➡️
Link in bio 😁
#porridge #glutenfreeporridge #buckwheatporridge #porridgebowl #porridgewithfruits #cookedtoperfection #foodblogger #glutenfreeuk #breakfastideas #cookblogshare #coeliacfriendly #coeliacuk #porridgeporn #forkyeah #tastemademedoit #foodblogfeed #feedfeed #feedfeedglutenfree #eeeeats #instafood #foodporn #foodphotography #buzzfeast #porridgepassion 
#glutenfreealchemist #glutenfree #senzagluten #glutenfritt #britainsbesthomecooks_ @thefeedfeed.glutenfree @foodblogfeed @britainsbesthomecooks_ 
@coconutbowls
Load More… Follow on Instagram

Recent Posts

  • Scotch Eggs – A Homemade Recipe with Gluten Free Breadcrumbs
  • Creme Egg Cupcakes – Gluten Free
  • How to Make Gluten Free Porridge – A Complete Guide (with or without oats)
Foodies100 Index of UK Food Blogs
my foodgawker gallery

CeliacDisease.org

”Top

Don't miss a thing. Sign up here to get recipes and extras from Gluten Free Alchemist straight into your inbox...

Footer

You might also like

A Salad Jar, An Amazing Salad & My New Summer Picnic Trick!

make-perfect-hasselback-potatoes

How To Make Hasselback Potatoes to Perfection (Baby Potatoes)

Miss GF Makes #8……. Dinner! Turkey Meatballs with Hidden Veg (gluten, dairy, egg, soy & nut free)

gluten-free-oat-rice-bread-rolls

Let’s Start with a Loaf of Bread… Oat and Rice Bread (gluten free)

Cheese Scones – Gluten Free

Copyright © 2021 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2021 Gluten Free Alchemist · Divine Theme built on the Genesis Framework · powered by WordPress ·