marzipan thanksgiving dessert

charmer recipes

Discover the perfect marzipan Thanksgiving dessert! Sweet, nutty, and easy to make, it’s a festive treat your guests will love.

Prep Time 15

Total Time 15

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American, Holiday

Calories 130 kcal

The base of marzipan is of course, almonds. You can use finely ground almonds or almond flour, depending on your texture preference. Ground almonds create a slightly more rustic texture, while almond flour gives a finer, smoother finish. Either works perfectly!

Powdered sugar is key to creating that smooth slightly sweet consistency that marzipan is known for. It dissolves easily and blends beautifully with the almonds.

Egg whites help bind the ingredients together and give marzipan its firm yet pliable texture. If you're avoiding eggs you can substitute with a little light corn syrup or simple syrup for a similar effect.

A small amount of honey or corn syrup will help bring the ingredients together into a smooth dough and add a lovely subtle sweetness to balance the almonds.

Almond Extract 1/2 teaspoon
If you love a more intense almond flavor adding a drop or two of almond extract can really elevate the taste. It gives the marzipan a deeper, richer almond profile.
Orange or Lemon Zest 1 teaspoon
A little citrus zest is optional but it brings a refreshing, aromatic quality to the marzipan. This extra flavor is particularly lovely for a Thanksgiving twist!
Spices Cinnamon, Nutmeg a pinch
For added warmth a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg can introduce that cozy, spiced flavor we associate with the fall season. It’s a subtle addition but makes a noticeable difference in the final taste.

Making marzipan is easier than it sounds, and the process is incredibly rewarding. With just a few steps, you'll have a smooth, delicious almond-based treat that’s perfect for Thanksgiving. Here’s how to turn your ingredients into a marzipan masterpiece:

Start by gathering all your ingredients. This makes the process smoother and helps you stay organized as you move through the steps. If you're using whole almonds, grind them into a fine powder using a food processor or blender. Alternatively, you can use almond flour if you want a smoother texture right from the start.

In a large bowl, combine the ground almonds and powdered sugar. Stir them together to ensure they’re evenly distributed. This step helps prevent clumps in your marzipan and ensures a smooth consistency later on.

Now, add the egg white and honey (or light corn syrup) to the dry ingredients. You can also mix in any optional flavorings here, like almond extract or citrus zest, if you’re using them. Stir gently until everything begins to come together. If the mixture feels too crumbly, add a few drops of water or extra syrup, one teaspoon at a time, until it starts to form a dough.

Once the dough has formed, transfer it to a clean surface and start kneading. The more you knead, the smoother and more pliable your marzipan will become. This should only take a few minutes. If the dough is sticky, lightly dust your hands and surface with powdered sugar to prevent it from sticking.

Now for the fun part—shaping your marzipan! Roll it into logs, press it into molds, or use cookie cutters to create fun, festive shapes. You can even roll it into small balls for bite-sized treats. If you're using it as a topping for cakes or cupcakes, simply roll it out with a rolling pin to the desired thickness (about 1/8 inch thick).

Once shaped, place your marzipan pieces on a tray lined with parchment paper and let them set for about an hour. This allows the marzipan to firm up and ensures it holds its shape when served. If you want to get extra creative, you can even brush the marzipan with a little edible gold dust or paint it with food coloring for an elegant finishing touch.

Marzipan can be made a day or two ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. If you're preparing it for a Thanksgiving feast, this can be a real time-saver! When ready to serve, just take it out and let it come to room temperature before placing it on your dessert table.
And there you have it—a simple, yet elegant marzipan dessert that will wow your guests and add a delicious, almond-flavored twist to your Thanksgiving spread. Whether you’re using it to decorate a cake or as a standalone treat, your marzipan will be the star of the show!

(Note: These values are estimates and can vary based on the specific ingredients used.)

Keyword almond, holiday treat, Marzipan, Thanksgiving dessert