What can I do with Marzipan?

[joymaker]

I've just bought a packet of marzipan on offer because I love the stuff and can't get enough of it at Christmas However I never cooked with it, so apart from putting it on top of Christmas cake and mince pies how can I use it?

How do you use marzipan? Your ideas/suggestions please.

TIA

ps does it go off would I be better off putting it in the freezer?

It keeps ages in foil, as long as you wrap it well.

I use it in cakes. There are a few recipes out there for almond cakes with a whole disc of marzipan in, or Nigella has a fruit cake with it in I believe.

I roll up leftovers into little balls and dip them in dark choc too for an evening treat for DH and I.

1. roll into balls and dip into melted chocolate
2. get some big dates, take out the stone and replace with similar sized bit of marzipan
3. make some cinnamon buns but put little bits of marzipan in with the cinnamon/sugar layer
4. use instead of icing to make figures for the top of cakes (tastes nicer than that ghastly shop icing)
5. if you make a chocolate cake, try a layer of marzipan instead of icing in the sandwich. Lush.

These are all good Christmas treats!

You could also make a stollen for the Christmas run-up? I've never made one but they have a massive line of marzipan in the middle

I've stopped bothering with white icing on top of the marzipan on my Christmas cake and discovered that if you put it under the grill it caramelises.

Marzipan fruits, you can have fun making them.

We made marzipan fugures with the children, using it a bit like edible playdough. They painted them with food colouring.

Hah figures!

Must proof-read

Mary Berry did a tart with grated marzipan, then apricots, then a pastry lid. Looked delicious.

A cherry crumble with bits of marzipan in the crumble or a pie with chunks of marzipan dotted in the fruit?

I make the Delia recipe marzipan for my cake- it's lovely, softer texture and you get the almond texture (I use Amarretto ).

DD makes chocolates for my mum - marzipan , a half walnut or cherry (Maraschino cherries are gorgeous) covered in dark chocolate

Apple puree in a pastry base then marzipan and an almond sponge layer.

Or you just eat it from the block

You can chop it into little chunks and use it in cookies instead of chocolate chips-chill it first to make it easier to dice.

Put it in the bin. It is the work of the devil.

Send it to me

DDad just sits with a knife cutting squares off and eating it.

Roll it up carefully into a ball.
Wrap it in foil.
Throw it in the bin.

HTH

You can send it to me!! I bloody love the stuff No-one else here is keen on it so I treat myself to a block every now and again because I know I can have it all to myself

What BIWI said

Covers up ears so I can't hear all you Marzipan Haters.

Top Tip: make your own.
Much, much nicer .

for so many great ideas, there are lots of new things for the children and I to try. Was such a silly price had to buy it but will probably still end up making some of my own too! lol at marzipan haters!

or u can just give it all to me and i'll eat it all <a class="break-all" href="http://www.mumsnet.com/emo/te/2.gif.pagespeed.ce.pqlGYGVWqX.gifwww.mumsnet.com/emo/te/x4.gif.pagespeed.ic.-btgXlP15N.png" target="_blank">www.mumsnet.com/emo/te/2.gif.pagespeed.ce.pqlGYGVWqX.gifwww.mumsnet.com/emo/te/x4.gif.pagespeed.ic.-btgXlP15N.png

In case anyone looks at this, since it's front page of the Christmas section my DM soaks balls of it in whiskey. It is the food of the gods I tell you!