Homemade Almond Paste is quick and easy to make at home with only 5 ingredients and a food processor, in under 5 minutes!

Almond paste is the perfect thing to have on hand for holiday desserts! If you’re looking for more sweets to make, check out my White Chocolate Macademia Nut CookiesFlourless Oatmeal Cookies, and Homemade Apple Pie Filling!

Almond paste on a cutting board cut into slices

Homemade Almond Paste

Homemade Almond Paste is so incredibly delicious, I can’t even stand it. If you’ve ever wondered what makes some holiday desserts taste so incredible, here it is. Almond paste. You can usually find it in the baking isle at the grocery store, but it’s really, really easy (and cheaper) to make at home! One thing to note is that it does have raw egg whites in it, but you can use the pasteurized ones from a carton to avoid any food safety issues.

What can almond paste be used for?

Almond paste is perfect for baking desserts like almond cookies, bars, cakes, croissants, pastry crusts, and other pastry recipes. It’s found with bakers in multiple countries like Italy, France, Sweden, Germany, and more. You can buy it from the store, but it’s less expensive to make it at home, and you can make as much or as little as you need for a recipe.

What ingredients are in Homemade Almond Paste?

I like to make mine with almond flour. It’s just easier in my opinion, then using full almonds. It saves you a few minutes in the process. But if you have regular almonds, you can pulse them in the food processor until a flour is formed. Then measure how much you’ve made in cups, and adjust the recipe accordingly.

You can store leftover ground almonds (almond meal) in a plastic bag or airtight container in the pantry. If you’re not going to use the leftovers for a long time, you can store it in the refrigerator or freezer to preserve the freshness.

  • Almond Flour
  • Salt
  • Powdered Sugar
  • Almond Extract
  • Egg Whites

How is almond paste made?

Almond paste is so EASY to make with minimal directions, I will probably never buy it again. And it only takes 2 steps.

  • Place dry in ingredients in the food processor and pulse a few times.
  • Add egg and almond extract, and process until a ball of dough forms. If it’s way too sticky, add a few teaspoons more of powdered sugar and puree it again until it’s mixed in, then check to see the difference.

That’s it! Done! So easy.downward view of powdered sugar and almond flour in a food processor on the left and finished almond paste dough in the food processor on the right

Are marzipan and almond paste the same thing?

Marzipan and almond paste are really similar because they are both primarily ground almonds and sugar, but not quite the same thing. The difference is that marzipan generally contains more sugar, and you can mold it into shapes and add food dyes. It’s really popular for making holiday desserts this way. Almond paste on the other hand is used in baked goods and has a more coarse texture.

Think of marzipan more like a fondant for cake decorations, and almond paste as more of a filling for baked goods and candy.

You’ll find a lot of different marzipan recipes, depending on the country the recipe is from. Some recipes use honey instead of sugar, and others use corn syrup. I’ve also seen recipes using a blend of almond meal and butter with other ingredients.

How long does almond paste last?

Almond paste will last for about a month in the refrigerator. Some people will say that it will last up to three months, but I like to err on the side of caution. Roll your paste into a log and cover in plastic wrap. Then seal tightly in a plastic bag to keep any air out and refrigerate. Just take it out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for 10-15 minutes before using.

Can you freeze almond paste?

If I’m going to be keeping it longer than a few weeks, I will freeze it for the next dessert recipe. Keep it wrapped in plastic wrap and sealed in a plastic bag. For an extra layer of protection, you can wrap in tinfoil. It should last 5-6 months in the freezer.

Tips for Making This Almond Paste Recipe

  • The 1/4 teaspoon salt in this almond paste recipe is mostly for flavor, so you can feel free to omit it if you’re avoiding salt.
  • I pulse the ingredients in a food processor to make it easier and faster. If you don’t have a food processor, you can whisk the ingredients together, then mash with a fork until your dough comes together.
  • If you grind your own almonds, you’ll get almond meal unless they’re peeled. Almond meal contains the almond skin, while almond flour is made from peeled almonds. It won’t make a huge difference but you might notice the skins in the texture and dark flecks. You can still use finely ground almond meal to make this recipe.
  • This recipe uses powdered sugar, make sure you don’t use granulated sugar. This gives your paste a smooth texture.
  • It also uses a teaspoon almond extract to help give it more impact. If you don’t have almond flavor on hand, you can leave it out. But expect it to be less impactful.
Almond paste on a cutting board cut into slices

Homemade Almond Paste

Homemade Almond Paste is quick and easy to make at home with only 5 ingredients and a food processor, in under 5 minutes!
5 from 6 votes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: European
Author: Jacqui
Yield: 16 servings

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 cups almond flour, gluten free
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 large egg whites
  • 1 tsp almond extract

Equipment

  • food processor

Instructions
 

  • Add dry ingredients to a food processor and pulse to mix together. Add egg whites and almond extract, then process until a ball of dough forms.
  • Remove from processor and roll into a log. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.

Notes

Almond paste has raw egg whites in it, but you can use the pasteurized ones from a carton to avoid any food safety issues.
Refrigerate until you're ready to bake with it. Then bring to room temperature for 10-15 minutes before using. 
If your almond paste is too sticky, add a little more powdered sugar to the dough.

Nutrition

Calories: 111kcal (6%)Carbohydrates: 11g (4%)Protein: 3g (6%)Fat: 7g (11%)Saturated Fat: 1g (6%)Sodium: 43mg (2%)Potassium: 7mgFiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 8g (9%)Calcium: 29mg (3%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
Did you make this recipe?Share it on Instagram @Jacqui_DishingDelish and tag #dishingdelish!

 

 

 

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