Healthy honey and almond marzipan couldn't be simpler to make. It uses only three ingredients, and takes just 10 minutes to make. Refined sugar free marzipan is perfect for delicious little sweets, or cake decorating. (See here for our no added sugar fruit cake recipe if you're looking to make a healthier Christmas cake.)
This recipe is a much healthier alternative to store bought marzipan. Although it's not totally sugar free as it does contain some honey, it's a fraction of the amount that you'd find in store bought marzipan. In addition, healthy honey and almond marzipan has a much higher proportion of almonds.
As the price of almonds has increased over the years, there is more pressure on commercial manufacturers to reduce the quantity of almonds in their marzipan and increase the quantity of sugar which is a much cheaper ingredient. The bought marzipan that I looked at contained just 25% almonds.
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What you'll love about the recipe
- Quick to make - your homemade healthy marzipan will be ready to use in just 10 minutes
- 3 ingredients (and no preservatives or colouring!)
- Easy to mould, roll and use for decorations
- This healthy low-sugar marzipan is much more nutritious than shop-bought marzipan with a high proportion of almonds
- Egg-free, dairy free and gluten-free
- Use maple syrup rather than honey for a vegan marzipan recipe
Health benefits of almonds
Almonds are rich in vitamins and minerals. In particular, they are a great source of vitamin E which is linked to numerous health benefits. They are high in fat, but it is a beneficial fat which can help to reduce harmful cholesterol. Although whole almonds with the skin are even better for you, you'll still gain a lot of the benefits from ground almonds. So in addition to being delicious, this marzipan is good for your health. Find out more about the health benefits of almonds.
Ingredients for healthy homemade marzipan
There are just 3 simple everyday ingredients in this healthy marzipan recipe
Almonds: I use ground almonds in this recipe. Ground almonds can vary in texture, so if you want a really smooth marzipan, you can blitz them in the food processor first to make them even finer. If you have a really powerful processor, you might even prefer to grind your own almonds.
Honey: A plain runny honey will work well in this refined sugar-free marzipan recipe. If you'd prefer to make a vegan marzipan, you could use maple syrup instead.
Almond extract: This will help to boost the almond-y flavour. You'll only need a few drops as it is quite strong. If you prefer you can omit the almond extract. Or you could add a couple of drops of rosewater which is also often used to flavour marzipan.
If you love marzipan, you might also like these healthy stollen bites which are basically marzipan with dried fruit and spices.
How to make healthy sugar free marzipan
Warm the honey in a pan to allow the marzipan to come together more easily.
Then you simply need to mix in the almonds and almond extract. It's best to allow the marzipan to cool before you handle it, as otherwise it will be very sticky.
Cooks tips
Marzipan and almond paste are often used interchangeably. However, traditionally almond paste is a little softer. If you want a slightly softer honey and almond paste, use a little more honey in the recipe.
How to cover a cake with marzipan
If you want to use this healthy honey and almond marzipan to cover a cake, you'll need 4 times the recipe quantity for a 24cm circle. Roll the marzipan out carefully on wax paper so that it doesn't stick. You could add a very thin layer of no added sugar apricot jam or melted honey to help to marzipan to stick to the top of the cake.
Healthy marzipan sweets
This marzipan alternative makes delicious healthy sweet treats. Just roll the marzipan into little balls - you'll get 10-12 from this recipe quantity.
As a child we used to have marzipan potatoes, (marzipankartoffeln) which I loved as a Christmas treat. So sometimes I make this into balls and roll them in cocoa. With their dusty brown coating, they look like little potatoes. I find that the easiest way to coat them is to use a small cup. Place a couple of teaspoons of cocoa in the cup, add the marzipan ball and then gently roll it around. There's something very therapeutic about watching it roll around gathering its chocolate coating.
It's also easy to colour this refined sugar-free almond paste with a few drops of colouring. You can then make fruits, flowers and other low-sugar marzipan cake decorations.
Storage
As this healthy honey marzipan recipe is eggless, it will store well for a few weeks. It will dry out if exposed to the air so ensure that it is tightly wrapped and placed in an airtight container.
Frequently asked questions
Marzipan contains almonds which are a good source of minerals such as calcium and magnesium, plus vitamin E. However, bought marzipan also contains a lot of sugar. This healthy low sugar honey and almond marzipan is made mostly with almonds, with just a little honey to sweeten it and stick it together.
Yes, marzipan can go directly onto a cake, but it is best to use something to help it stick. Either warm some honey or sieved apricot jam in a pan and brush a thin layer onto the cake, before adding the marzipan.
Yes, a classic marzipan recipe contains raw egg whites. This healthy marzipan recipe is egg free.
No, traditional marzipan usually contains egg white. This homemade marzipan is made without eggs, but if you want it to be vegan, use maple syrup in place of honey.
Other healthy treats
You might also be interested in this healthy chocolate coconut truffles recipe , cocoa dusted almonds, or these chocolate bliss balls.
You can also browse the healthy Christmas recipes category.
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Recipe
Healthy Honey and Almond Marzipan
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon honey
- 6 tablespoon ground almonds approx 40 g
- few drops almond essence optional
Instructions
- Gently warm the honey in a pan until it goes very runny. Add the ground almonds and almond essence. Mix well. Leave to cool slightly.2 tablespoon honey, 6 tablespoon ground almonds, few drops almond essence
- Roll into balls, and if desired coat in cocoa, or use for decorating your Christmas cake.
Nutrition
Please note nutritional information is per serving and is provided for guidance only.
Ivana says
Can I bake a batch of marzipan cookies if I add egg white?- the question is whether it would hold the shape if honey is in place instead of powdered sugar.
Wendy Faulkner says
Hi Ivana. Funnily enough, this is on my list of recipes to try but it's a long list and I haven't got there yet;) I think you'd have to adjust the quantities, probably a little less honey and a little more almonds if you are adding the egg white. Maybe try this coconut macaroons recipe as a starting point. Or you could try baking them without the egg white, although they'll be a little denser. Good luck, let me know how they go if you try them!
Caroline says
These are scrumptious 😋 Coated them in dark chocolate, my husband goes mad for them 😀
Tanya Mallett says
this is the best marzipan, can eat whole day
Wendy says
Thank you. Me too:)
Barbara Del arbol says
Fantastic, no egg!!! Thank you.. bda
Wendy says
You are very welcome. Thank you for your feedback:)
Katrina says
Perfect for marzipan addicts. So simple and delicious.
Wendy says
From one marzipan addict to another - thank you:)