What is Marzipan & Decorating: It is a vintage confection that has won its place in the hearts of people around the world. While it is still more well-known and popular in Europe it is older than you know. Needless to say, it is still a tasty treat and perfect for any holiday Candy-making. Not to mention, as an ingredient in cakes, pies, cookies, candies, and more. It is a versatile ingredient. What is it? Simply put it is a sweet nut paste. The sweet paste can be eaten on its own, dipped into chocolate, or added to chocolates, cakes, cookies, and more. A fun way to create treats. Indeed, some of the decorations could be made by grandparents and kids. Moreover, just think of all the fun you could have. 
What is Marzipan & Decorating The History
Marzipan is an ancient confection. Marzipan is so old no one really knows where exactly it came from. It is believed to be Chinese or from the Middle East. There are mentions in various ancient texts that the Turks introduced an almond paste to Europe. Probably why it is so prevalent in European countries, Asian countries, and Middle East Countries. A famous ancient Persian doctor named Rhazes who lived in 850-923 extolled the benefits of sweet almond paste. Believe it or not, supposedly 1001 Arabian Nights mentions an almond paste eaten during Ramadan. Not to mention, William Shakespeare wrote about it in his play Romeo and Juliet as marchpane now pronounce marzipan. So old it is legendary. In fact, several countries claim to have invented it.
This tasty ingredient has been around for centuries. Consequently, I enjoy it around the holidays as I remember my mother making marzipan into various fruits and vegetables as cake decorations or just to eat. Nevertheless, there is a Scandinavian custom of giving a marzipan pig to the person who finds the whole almond in their Christmas Rice Porridge.
What is Marzipan today & Decorating?
It is made with finely ground almonds or almond flour. There is a variety of sweeteners. Such as honey, sugar, or syrup. Last but not least, flavorings such as almond, vanilla, and rose water. Naturally, it is gluten-Free. The USA uses a lot more sweetener and often calls it Marzipan with the UK is less sweet and tends to refer to it as Almond paste. This recipe calls for powdered monkfruit sweetener.
However, today it is the quintessential European Christmas Candy. Like old legends, I don’t think we will ever really know who invented it. Does it matter if it was China, Germany, Italy, Spain, or the Middle East?
Recipes for Variations:
Needless to say, there are different variations of Marzipan around the world. For example, I make Homemade From Scratch Marzipan, Homemade Hazelnut Marzipan, and even Chocolate Marzipan recipes. Store it in a cool dry place.
Can you eat it Raw?
Yes, the recipe has egg whites but no egg yolks so there is no risk of Salmonella. Naturally, no need to refrigerate. Why? Because sugar is a natural preservative. Therefore it has a long shelf life of about six months.
What to do if it gets hard?
Try heating it in the microwave for ten-second intervals. Remove and allow to cool slightly before trying to knead it.
What is Marzipan & Decorating:
How to Store:
Due to the sugar content, store in a cool dry area. Keep out of direct sunlight. Tightly wrapped up in a plastic bag making sure to remove the air from the bag.
Keep those small pieces of Scrap:
Try adding some pieces to your next pancake or waffle batter for a tasty treat. Hence, use it as a streusel on top of baked goods before going into the oven. Before you know it you will be using Marzipan like a pro and there will be no leftovers or scraps because you have found other uses for them.
Uses of Marzipan Decorating
It can be baked into other baked goods. Indeed, use it similar to fondant. Use it as frosting or icing. Combine it with nuts and dried fruit. Followed by dipping them into chocolate. Oftentimes, it is used to make small roses or marzipan fruits to top a cake. Create Easter Eggs with it and fill the marzipan with other small candies or chocolate. It can be eaten raw. Or even dipped into chocolate
Additionally, marzipan is very easy to make at home. Thin layers of marzipan can be rolled around pastries or used to make candy. Such as Swedish Dammsugare made two ways Gluten-Free Chocolate Marzipan Rolls and Gluten-Free Hazelnut Marzipan Rolls. Many candies made with marzipan can also include rum, bourbon, or Frangelico.
Tools Needed:
Highly suggested purchasing some fondant tools which can also be used for Marzipan like this 19-piece tools set. or this four-piece smoother set if creating an iced cake. An Adjustable Rolling Pin would also be good too.
Dying the Marzipan:
I highly suggest using one with no artificial dyes such as “Watkins Food Coloring.” Keep in mind marzipan is not white. Using natural dyes the colors may not be as vibrant or more dye may be needed.
What is Marzipan & Decorating:
Perfect for Holiday Decorations:
What is Marzipan & Decorating:
What is Marzipan & Decorating:Halloween:
Marzipan Halloween: Pumpkins
Create pumpkins by dying the marzipan orange. Second, roll a small amount into a ball. Next with your finger push down on the center of the ball. Third, turn the ball over. Next, using a toothpick push in the sides of the pumpkin. Push down the top of the pumpkin. Place a mini chocolate chip in upside down or right side up to create a small stem. Last but not least, remove a small amount of green marzipan and stick it on the chocolate chip for a leaf.
What is Marzipan & Decorating Christmas:
Christmas: Reindeer
Marzipan cakes are terrific at creating Reindeer. Kids will have a fantastic time creating their own reindeer slice. To create the reindeer cut a slice of cake. Place two eyes at the top of the slice, next use raspberry or another berry to create a nose. Nonetheless, kids will have a blast making a reindeer slice. 
Reindeer Horns:
Finally, create the horns by rolling a small piece of marzipan into a thin log. The log should be thicker on the top than on the bottom. Next, use a small plastic knife to make cuts into the log. Using your fingers squish the marzipan into a small triangle on the horn. 
Lastly, brush the cake and the horn with a little water. Squish the bottom of the horn onto the cake.
Jul Tomte/ Gnomes
Make a small amount of marzipan green and a small amount of red. Choose which color will be the body hence, the top and what part will be the hat.
Body & Nose:
Next, make a cone shape. This shape will be the body. Using your finger make a dent in the bottom of the cone. Next, stand it up. Roll a small amount of no dyed marzipan into a small nose.
Beard and Mustache
Use a small ball to gently push into a triangle. Next, push the tip of the triangle up. Finally, push the two pieces of the top triangle up. It should look a little like a y. Now using a toothpick or other fondant tools make lines in this marzipan to look like hairs. This is the beard. Next using a little water attach the beard to the cone shape. Finally, place the nose on the cone. Next, make a mustache by rolling a small amount into a tiny log. Using a toothpick push down in the center and the two sides down and if possible into curls on the end. Place this piece on top of the nose.
Hat:
Lastly, we will create the hat. Make a cone half the size of the body. Using a small finger push your finger into the marzipan. Next, keep going in and around the outer edges until you form the edge around the hat. Take the top part of the cone and turn in the tip. Place the hat on the guy.
Female Jul Tomte Hair/ Gnome
All of the above except no beard or mustache. Instead, roll small pieces of marzipan into logs with the top and bottom being thinner than the middle. First and foremost, roll three logs per side. Pinch them together at the top. Last but not least, gently, braid them together. At the bottom take a small piece of red and roll it into a log. Place this piece around the bottom of the hair as a ribbon. For instance, two braids will be needed. Make the second braid. To attach use a small paintbrush and brush a little water on the head and the braid. Push the braid onto the body gently. Finally, go back and make the female a hat.