Easy Vanilla Marzipan Food

EASY VANILLA MARZIPAN

Steps:

• Mix the sugars and almonds in a large bowl, then rub in the vanilla seeds until even. Make a well in the middle, then tip in the eggs and citrus juice. Cut the wet ingredients into the dry with a cutlery knife. Dust the surface with icing sugar, then knead the marzipan briefly with your hands to a smooth dough. Don't overdo it as the paste can get greasy. Add a bit more icing sugar if it seems too wet. Shape into a ball, then wrap and keep in a cool place until ready to cover the cake. Can be made up to 2 days in advance.
• Lift the cake onto a cake board or plate, then use a pastry brush to cover evenly with a thin layer of jam. Dust the work surface with more icing sugar, then roll the marzipan into a circle about 40cm across, dusting underneath the marzipan with more icing sugar and turning it a quarter turn after every few pushes of the rolling pin.
• Flip the top of the circle back over your rolling pin so you can see the underside of the marzipan, then lift the pin up and lift the marzipan over the cake. Stop once you can see that the edge of the marzipan nearest you is about level with the bottom of the cake. Flop the front of the marzipan down. Smooth the paste over the cake using the palms of your hands, then trim with a sharp knife. If any cracks appear, simply pinch the paste back together and smooth. Leave to dry for at least 24 hrs, or up to 3 days, before covering with icing.
• How long does homemade marzipan keep? Although homemade marzipan contains raw eggs, the amount of sugar, and lack of moisture, prevents bacteria growing when left at room temperature, so your cake should last for 1-2 months iced. The most important thing is that you don't scrimp on drying time - once you've covered your cake in marzipan it should be left to completely dry out, before you then cover it with icing. If you want to make marzipan before you are ready to cover your cake, then wrap it well in cling film and keep in a fridge for up to a week - as wrapped in a ball it will still contain a little moisture. As it contains raw eggs it shouldn't be given to anyone in an at-risk group, including pregnant women, the elderly, the unwell and the very young. You can make a cooked marzipan, which carries no risks. It is a little softer, and harder to work with, but a good substitute if you are at all worried.

GERMAN HOMEMADE MARZIPAN

Steps:

• Place almonds in a heat-proof bowl and cover with boiling water. Let stand for a few minutes until cool enough to handle. Slip the almonds out of their skins one by one, leaving the remaining almonds in the warm water. Drain almonds in a colander.
• Place almonds and confectioners' sugar in the food processor fitted with a metal blade and process to a paste. Add cold water, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon at a time, if the paste is too dry. Scrape the sides a few times to ensure even processing. Add a few drops of almond extract towards the end of the process. Process marzipan until it is smooth and no longer grainy. Wrap in plastic wrap and store in a cool, dry place.

EASY HOMEMADE ALMOND PASTE (MARZIPAN)

Steps:

• Using a food processor grind the almonds into a fine powder (this should take about 2 minutes).
• Add in the confectioners sugar and blend well.
• Transfer the mixture to a bowl.
• Using a wooden spoon blend in the egg whites and vanilla (if using) until smooth.
• On a flat surface lightly dusted with confectioners sugar, roll out the almond paste into a 14" x 1-2" log.
• Wrap in parchment paper and chill for a minimum of 1 hour.
• When rested, cut the log in two pieces.
• Wrap in wax paper and chill.

MARZIPAN BARS

Steps:

• In a bowl, cream butter and brown sugar. Add egg yolk and vanilla; mix well. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Press into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Spread with jelly. , For filling, combine almond paste, butter, sugar, egg white and vanilla in a bowl. Beat in eggs. Add food coloring; mix well. Pour over jelly layer. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes or until set. Cool on a wire rack. , For icing, heat chocolate and butter in a small saucepan on low until melted. Add confectioners' sugar and enough milk to make a smooth icing. Stir in vanilla. Immediately spread over bars. Cover and store overnight at room temperature before cutting.

MARZIPAN II

Steps:

• In a large bowl, knead almond paste to soften. Mix in egg whites. Knead in confectioners' sugar 1 cup at a time. Add vanilla. Knead until marzipan feels like heavy pie dough.
• Wrap tightly in plastic, and store in refrigerator in a sealed container. To use after storage, let stand at room temperature until soft, then knead briefly.