How to make homemade marzipan?

Although it may surprise us, the truth is that the preparation of homemade marzipan is quite quick and easy to make. We only need a little time and patience to mold the figurines.

The history of marzipan

As with many other recipes, the true origin of marzipan is not very clear. Some place it in Greek times, although the first written reference to it is in the book of The 1001 Nights, so it is thought that it could also be of Arab origin.

In Spain there is no mention of marzipan until the 16th century. It is said that the first elaborations of marzipan came from the nuns of the Convent of San Clemente, in Toledo. Although here you can learn more about the origin of marzipan.

Currently, Spain is one of the largest producers of marzipan in the world.

How to prepare good homemade marzipan

Marzipan dough is used as a base for many sweets and desserts such as marzipan eel, Pan de Cádiz or Huesosde santo. All of them can be found in our workshop handmade with the best ingredients.

The key to prepare a good homemade marzipan is to use quality ingredients. This is an almost essential condition in almost all recipes, although, in the case of marzipan it is even more so, since the ingredients are not cooked much and take little elaboration.

It is important that the almond be of a sweet variety. The best almond to prepare marzipan is the one we use at Casa Mira, the Marcona type.

Recipe for homemade marzipan

Ingredients

• 250 g of raw ground almonds
• 250 g powdered sugar or caster sugar
• 1 medium egg

Method of preparation

1. Mix the almonds with the sugar until a homogeneous mass is created. The finer the sugar, the better it will be. It is important that the sugar crystals are not noticeable in the dough.
2. Separate the egg white from the yolk. We reserve the yolk covered with a film because we will use it to paint the marzipans later so that they will be golden when baking.
3. Add the egg white and knead by hand until a smooth and moldable dough is formed. If the dough sticks excessively to the hands we can add a little more almond and sugar in equal parts. If the dough is dry we can add a little water.
4. Wrap in film and let stand for half an hour.
5. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 200º C.
6. Now comes the most entertaining part. We cut the dough into small pieces and make little figures. You can use molds. We place them on a baking tray on baking paper.
7. Brush the marzipan with the egg yolk and bake for 2 or 3 minutes on a high broiler. Remove as soon as they begin to brown.

In Casa Mira we can offer you wonderful marzipan figurines handmade in our workshop with Marcona almonds.

Visit our website and we will send it to your home.