What is marzipan? Here’s all you need to know about the sweet paste with the irresistible almond taste

Loved by some, detested by others, marzipan is something of marmite in the confectionary world due to its strong almond taste. It’s not for everyone, but we think there’s a lot to love about this confection, from its sweet, nutty flavour to its versatile use in sculpting.

In this article, we’ll answer a question many of you may have: what exactly is marzipan? 

We’ll also look at how it works with chocolate, its connection with Christmas, and how to make it at home. 

What is marzipan?

In essence, it’s a sweet paste that consists of ground almonds or almond paste, sugar,  water, and occasionally eggs. You can use it to ice cakes, cover it in chocolate or sculpt it into intricate cake decorations that will really make your baked goods stand out.

What is its origin?

There’s a bit of an ongoing debate about where marzipan and its name come from. Some people suggest Spain, while others propose a Northeast Mediterranean origin story (among others). To this day, both of those regions have a strong confection-making heritage, with marzipan from both Lübeck in German and Toledo in Spain having protected status.

Likewise, the origin of the name is a bit of a mystery. 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. Personally, we think the most important thing is that it’s utterly delicious.

However, as much as we would love to recommend marzipan to everyone, please don’t eat it if you have nut allergies! And unfortunately, there’s not really any good substitute for almonds in marzipan. If you’re good to go with nuts, though, then it’s definitely a treat we’d recommend.

Is marzipan the same as fondant?

Marzipan and fondant have some ingredients in common, namely sugar and water, and both have a solid consistency, but there are a number of differences that make them distinct. For starters, it’s hard to ignore the difference in taste. 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.

In addition, marzipan has a slightly more solid consistency, and unlike fondant, can be baked. This makes fondant slightly better for covering cakes because it’s less rigid. You can mould it around the curves of your sponge, cupcakes or muffins. However, the clay-like consistency of marzipan makes it ideal for sculpting cake decorations. All in all, the one you choose will depend on what you’re making, as well as your flavour preferences.

What is marzipan chocolate?

Chocolate and marzipan: simple, right? Yes and no. It may only be two ingredients, but there’s an interesting interplay between the two flavours. Nuts and chocolate are a classic pairing due to the contrast of sweet and salty, and it’s no different when it comes to marzipan. In fact, we like it so much that we’ve even created our own marzipan chocolates. And we’re not ones to brag, but we absolutely love how they turned out. Why not try them for yourself and see why?

Most marzipan is one-third almonds to two-thirds sugar, but not ours. Just this once, we’re changing our motto to ‘More Almonds, Less Sugar’ so we can bring only the best treats to the table. Our Marzipan Chocolate Selector is as honest as it gets: we’ve paired 70% dark chocolate with 52% ground almond marzipan in a bite that forgoes the unnecessary added sugar to let these two flavours really shine.

For an extra dash of indulgence (and booze), the Marzipan & Amaretto Selector marries the sweet paste with the warming almond flavour of amaretto. The combination creates a perfectly smooth experience that melts in your mouth and warms your heart.

And for the real marzipan fans (marzifans?), the Marzipan Chocolate Box is here for you. Four scrumptious, nutty chocolates in one box. This box contains both of the chocolates mentioned above as well as the exclusive Marzipan Ingot and Orange Marzipan.

Is marzipan just for Christmas?

In many countries, marzipan is closely associated with Christmas and lots of people use it in traditional festive cakes and sweets. It’s almost as much a staple of German Christmas markets as old favourites like Bratwurst and mulled wine! And from homey Christmas cakes in the UK to adorable marzipan pigs in Northern Europe, it seems like the holiday and the confection are intertwined. And it’s not difficult to see why; its sweetness, satisfying texture and aromatic almond base make it an ideal indulgence that’s sure to conjure feelings of festive nostalgia.

But that doesn’t mean it’s only for Christmas. It may be something of a tradition, but some traditions are made to be broken. Especially when it comes to something as irresistible as this — why wait a whole year to enjoy it?

In fact, it’s an essential ingredient in several sweets and cakes that have no Christmas association whatsoever. The quintessentially-English Battenberg cake is light and fluffy and perfect for Summer. Meanwhile, the Austrian Mozartkugel is another marzipan-based sweet that’s popular outside of the Winter months.

Can you make it at home?

You can buy pre-made marzipan in the supermarket, but it’s actually quite simple to make at home, using only a few ingredients. You can buy ground almonds from your local supermarket, and the rest of the ingredients are probably already in your baking cupboard. And what’s more, your homemade version will likely contain less sugar than the store-bought version. You can also feel confident in the knowledge that your homemade creation won’t include artificial flavours and colourings (and nor do any of our products!).

Why not try this recipe from Great British Chefs? Alternatively, this egg-free recipe is ideal to add to vegan goodies.

Use it to ice cakes, roll it into balls and dip it in deliciously smooth melted chocolate, or even try getting creative with some sculpting. After all, marzipan’s consistency makes it great for building a variety of shapes. Pigs are a traditional incarnation, but why not try making your favourite animals, flowers or even a self-portrait? And any little ones can join in on the fun as well. Marzipan can be an edible alternative to sculpting with clay — all the fun of arts and crafts, but with a sweet treat at the end.

Whether you’re enjoying one of our premium treats or getting creative in the kitchen, we think there’s much more to marzipan than a simple layer buried in the rest of a Christmas cake. So come on, give it a nibble!