Making marzipan can seem a bit daunting, but actually, it’s a doddle. A festive cutter and edible gold glitter transform a cake topping into very more-ish Marzipan Stars.
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I like to make these for after-dinner treats at any time of year, but especially as Christmas approaches.
Flavourings for marzipan
The list of flavourings may look long but if you don’t have orange flower water (which I use quite a bit), just add extra lemon juice. Vanilla extract is a much better product than vanilla essence, so choose that if you are buying some more (I use Nielsen or Ndali, whichever is available). Be really careful with the almond extract – it’s very potent.
Marzipan for your Christmas Cake
This recipe will give you enough to make the stars. If you want to cover a 20cm round cake make twice the quantity, using a whole egg, not two whites, and add an extra teaspoon (5ml) of sherry or lemon juice. For the Marzipan Stars you want a slightly drier mixture as they need to dry out a bit anyway, but marzipan for a cake is better with a little more liquid.
Speaking of cake – and thinking of Christmas Cake – I found a good recipe for a celebration fruitcake that can be made only a few days before eating and will keep for a couple of weeks. Find the recipe here.
I’ve used some edible gold glitter on my marzipan stars. I’m not a big fan of adding colouring – all those E numbers – but a tiny amount at Christmas isn’t going to hurt most of us. And it is very pretty.
A word of warning, if you make Marzipan Stars for a special occasion you may want to hide them, otherwise you could find the tin is empty – it happened to me.
Marzipan Stars
Ingredients
- 100 g caster sugar
- 100 g icing sugar
- 200 g ground almonds
- 1 large egg white
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice (5ml)
- 1 teaspoon orange flower water (5ml), (optional - you could add more lemon juice)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (2.5ml)
- 2 drops almond extract, don't overdo it
- Edible gold glitter, optional
Equipment
Instructions
For the Marzipan Stars:
- Either:
- In a processor, pulse the dry ingredients until fine - Don't overdo it. ORSieve the sugars into a large bowl to get rid of any lumps (normally I wouldn't bother, but I do for marzipan)(Caster sugar, icing sugar, ground almonds)
- In a separate bowl, lightly whisk the egg white and flavourings with a fork. (Lemon juice, vanilla extract, orange flower water and almond essence)
- Add the liquids to the dry ingredients and blitz or mix well until the mixture comes together
- Tip onto a work surface, lightly sprinkled with caster sugar and press together with your hands to make a smooth dough. Roll out onto the work surface until about 1cm thick
- Cut out the star shapes. Gather up the trimmings and repeat until all the marzipan is used up
- Arrange the stars on a baking sheet lightly dusted with icing sugar and sprinkle with glitter
- Allow to dry out, uncovered, overnight.
Notes
Everyday Cooks tip:
- Store dried marzipan stars in an airtight container for up to two weeks
Made this recipe or got a question? Let me know!