Homemade Marzipan Christmas Figures Food

HOMEMADE MARZIPAN CHRISTMAS FIGURES

Steps:

• Place almonds in boiling water and remove from heat immediately and let stand for about 5 minutes. Rinse and drain almonds and remove from shell.
• Puree almonds and powdered sugar in food processor. Add rose water. Knead marzipan with hands.
• For the food coloring, divide marzipan into 4 portions, as needed. Mix beet juice and marzipan. Puree spinach and press juice through a cheesecloth and mix juice and marzipan. Soak saffron powder in a little hot water to dissolve and mix with marzipan. Pass blueberries through a sieve and mix juice and marzipan.
• Form shapes from the tinted marzipan, such as angels, Santa Clause, Christmas trees.

HOMEMADE MARZIPAN

Steps:

• Combine almond flour and confectioners' sugar in a food processor; pulse until evenly mixed. Add almond extract and rose water; process until combined. Add egg white; process until a thick dough forms.
• Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm.

MARZIPAN FIGURES

Steps:

• Marzipan molds: Franz Ziegler
• This is a "recipe" that will let you explore your creative talents. There are no special tools necessary but you will find it handy to have at least the following on-hand: sharp paring knife, food colors, small paint brushes, atomizer (for applying color). Kids of all ages can participate so gather around the dining table and have fun!
• The process is simply molding things between your fingers or using the palms of your hands. Try a few methods to find what works best for you. Have fun making different shapes. Some of the things I made included an apple, pumpkin, baby, dog eating a bone, whale, apricots, and an ear of corn, Try to give your figurines animated faces or crazy features.
• You can buy tools for working with marzipan and molds for molding these figures. You can also use an airbrush, if you have one, to get a more refined look. Use a small paintbrush dipped in food colors to paint on the eyes, hair, stem, etc. You can also use meted chocolate as a paint.

MARZIPAN FIGURES

Steps:

• This is a "recipe" that will let you explore your creative talents. Kids of all ages can participate so gather around the dining table and have fun!
• The process is simply molding things between your fingers or using the palms of your hands. Try a few methods to find what works best for you. Have fun making different shapes. Some of the things I made included an apple, pumpkin, baby, dog eating a bone, whale, apricots, and an ear of corn, Try to give your figurines animated faces or crazy features.
• You can buy tools for working with marzipan and molds for molding these figures. You can also use an airbrush, if you have one, to get a more refined look. Use a small paintbrush dipped in food colors to paint on the eyes, hair, stem, etc. You can also use meted chocolate as a paint.

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.