Almond paste (marzipan)
This almond paste has a lovely “crunch” to it and tastes no different from the “normal” version. If you want a really smooth, non-crunchy paste, blitz the xylitol for a minute or two in a food processor or coffee grinder before using.
Marzipan (almond paste)
Makes enough to cover a 7″ square cake (or a 6″ cake with leftovers to make marzipan sweets from)
Don’t forget to check my “larder & shopping” section for unusual ingredients
450g ground almonds
450g xylitol or erythritol
2 eggs, organic if possible, otherwise free-range
2 tbsp Irish whiskey or brandy
1 drop pure almond essence (optional)
Gluten-free icing sugar* or finely ground xylitol (do this in a spice grinder) for kneading and rolling.
*most icing sugar is GF but do check the packet
- Mix the ground almonds with the xylitol.
- Beat the eggs, add in the whiskey and 1 drop of the almond essence, then add to the other ingredients and mix to a stiff paste (you may not need all of the egg).
- Sprinkle the work surface with gluten-free icing sugar or xylitol you have ground finely in a mini food processor or spice grinder, turn out the almond paste and work lightly until smooth and all the cracks have disappeared. You can store this in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week until ready to use. The whiskey preserves the raw eggs in the paste.
Why this is better for you:
Swapping out the sugar for xylitol means this marzipan doesn’t put a massive strain on your immune system and cause inflammation in your body. While xylitol isn’t a vitality-boosting product it appears not to deplete nutrients. It prevents bacteria sticking to your teeth and has NO IMPACT ON BLOOD SUGAR. Erythritol is similar (without the bacteria blocking tooth effects). Unlike sugar, xylitol and erythritol are OK for diabetic people to use. Remember that sweet things like cakes and marzipan do displace really vitality boosting foods like fresh fruit and vegetables from your everyday eating. Like in the past, these treats are meant to be occasional treats and not staples in everyday life.
Apρreciate the recommendation. Let me try itt out.
I always use whiskey in the paste to preserve it, which means that it usually keeps for at least a month in a relatively cool place (eg in the cupboard under the stairs rather than in a hot steamy kitchen!!). Covering the almond paste with cake icing will also help preserve it as this blocks off oxygen from the marzipan, helping preserve it further. Without the whiskey I would suggest keep it in the fridge and not for more than 7 days. Hope that helps.
How long will almond paste keep fresh, as it uses raw eggs?