Almond Paste/Marzipan

I love Almonds and I am particularly fond of Marzipan or Marchpane as it used to be known.  Most of us reach for the pre-prepared Marzipan sold on supermarket shelves but it is actually quite easy to make the same and I think tastes far better.  So now when you cannot find marzipan on the shelf when you want it you can make your own  - ideal for when you make your own Battenburg cake but Marzipan can be used in a lot of dishes.  This recipe which I have used time and time again comes from Mrs Beetons Traditional Christmas.

You will need:

225g/8oz ground almonds

100g/4oz of caster sugar

100g/4oz of icing sugar

5ml/1 tsp lemon juice

A few drops of Almond essence

1 egg  beaten

Method

You can use a coarse sieve or you can break up the packet of ground almonds with a wooden spoon making sure that where the almonds have clumped that you break the mixture down into a bowl.  Then sift the icing sugar and caster sugar in tool.  Add the lemon juice and almond essence and enough egg to bind the ingredients together. Knead lightly on a board with your fingertips until nice and smooth.  Wrap in cling film and overwrap in foil and a plastic bag to prevent the paste from drying out.  Store in a cool place.

Before using especially if it is going to be a day or two before I use it I knead it gently to get it malleable again.

This makes about 1lb/450g of Marzipan

Different sized cakes different quantities of Marzipan

Round                                         15 cm / 6 inches                         350g/12 oz

                                                    18cm / 7 inches                          500g/18 oz

                                                    20cm / 8 inches                          575g/ 1 1/4lb

                                                    23cm / 9 inches                          800g/ 1 1/4lb

                                                    25cm / 10 inches                        900g/ 2 lb

                                                    28cm/ 11 inches                         1kg/ 2 1/4lb

                                                    30cm/ 12 inches                         1.25kg/2 1/4lb

Square                                         15cm/6 inches                           500g/18 oz

                                                     18cm/7 inches                           575g/1 1/4lb

                                                     20cm/8 inches                           800g/1 1/4lb

                                                     23cm/9 inches                           900g/2lb

                                                     25cm/10 inches                         1kg/2 1/4lb

                                                     28cm/11 inches                         1.1kg/ 2 1/2lb

                                                     30cm/12 inches                         1.4kg/3lb

Hope this helps.

Pattypan

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