Marzipan is a paste, made out of almonds. So then, isn’t it the same as Almond Paste? As it turns out, not exactly!
The Main Differences
While they both are made of almonds, marzipan and almond paste are actually completely different. Marzipan is smooth, sweet, and often dyed and molded into shapes. It’s also used to cover sweets much like fondant and is sometimes eaten as is.
Almond paste, on the other hand, is coarser, less sweet, and used as an ingredient or filling for baked goods. Who knew?
Marzipan
Sometimes called almond candy dough.
What it’smade out of:Almonds, sugar, glucose syrup, and water. Gluten-free versions are available. It can also sometimes contain egg whites.
- How’s it sold:In tubes, cans, or tubs.
- Taste and texture:Sweet, with more finely ground almonds for a smoother texture; can be brilliant white in color.
- How it’s used: To decorate cakes or confections like fondant, or just eaten like candy. Marzipan is often dyed into other colors and molded into shapes and decorations around the holidays.
Almond Paste
- What it’s made out of:The same ingredients as marzipan, but with less sugar and almost double the amount of almonds. Sometimes almond extract is added.
- How’s it sold:In tubes, cans, tubs, or bags.
- Taste and texture:Not as sweet and coarser than marzipan.
- How it’s used:Primarily as a filling in pies and cakes. Bitter almond paste is used to make Italian amaretti cookies.
And the burning question: Can They Be Substituted for Each Other?
The texture and flavor of the two are different enough that they shouldn’t be substituted for one another.
