Manzapades Lemon Marzipan Recipes

Steps:

• Mix the sugars and almonds in a large bowl, then rub in the vanilla seeds until even. Make a well in the middle, then tip in the eggs and citrus juice. Cut the wet ingredients into the dry with a cutlery knife. Dust the surface with icing sugar, then knead the marzipan briefly with your hands to a smooth dough. Don't overdo it as the paste can get greasy. Add a bit more icing sugar if it seems too wet. Shape into a ball, then wrap and keep in a cool place until ready to cover the cake. Can be made up to 2 days in advance.
• Lift the cake onto a cake board or plate, then use a pastry brush to cover evenly with a thin layer of jam. Dust the work surface with more icing sugar, then roll the marzipan into a circle about 40cm across, dusting underneath the marzipan with more icing sugar and turning it a quarter turn after every few pushes of the rolling pin.
• Flip the top of the circle back over your rolling pin so you can see the underside of the marzipan, then lift the pin up and lift the marzipan over the cake. Stop once you can see that the edge of the marzipan nearest you is about level with the bottom of the cake. Flop the front of the marzipan down. Smooth the paste over the cake using the palms of your hands, then trim with a sharp knife. If any cracks appear, simply pinch the paste back together and smooth. Leave to dry for at least 24 hrs, or up to 3 days, before covering with icing.
• How long does homemade marzipan keep? Although homemade marzipan contains raw eggs, the amount of sugar, and lack of moisture, prevents bacteria growing when left at room temperature, so your cake should last for 1-2 months iced. The most important thing is that you don't scrimp on drying time - once you've covered your cake in marzipan it should be left to completely dry out, before you then cover it with icing. If you want to make marzipan before you are ready to cover your cake, then wrap it well in cling film and keep in a fridge for up to a week - as wrapped in a ball it will still contain a little moisture. As it contains raw eggs it shouldn't be given to anyone in an at-risk group, including pregnant women, the elderly, the unwell and the very young. You can make a cooked marzipan, which carries no risks. It is a little softer, and harder to work with, but a good substitute if you are at all worried.

Steps:

• Blend the confectioner's sugar, finely ground almonds, egg whites, salt, and almond extract in a blender until perfectly blended. Cover and chill until firm, 24 hours.

Steps:

• Place almonds in a blender container or food processor bowl Cover and blend or process until ground.
• In a mixer bowl combine the ground almonds, the 1 1/3 cups confectioners' sugar, almond extract and 2 tablespoons water Beat with electric mixer until the mixture forms a ball.
• Gradually add the 2 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar, beating until combined.
• Stir in enough egg white (about 1 tablespoon) to form a clay-like mixture.
• Tint with food coloring, if desired.
• Mold or shape the marzipan as desired, using about 2 teaspoons marzipan for each shape.

Steps:

• Sift the sugars and ground almonds together, then stir in the orange zest. Beat together the egg and egg yolk, and stir into the sugar mixture.
• Knead briefly to make sure the marzipan is well mixed, and easy to work with. If it is too dry, add a little orange juice. If it is too wet, add some more icing sugar.
• Place the cake on the cake board and use small balls of marzipan to plug any holes in the cake. Glaze the cake with a thin layer of apricot jam or shredless marmalade.
• Dust the work surface with a little icing sugar and roll out the marzipan in one direction, keeping the pressure even and turning a 1/4 turn every feel rolls.
• When it's large enough (about 40cm for a 20cm cake), roll the marzipan onto the rolling pin and lift onto the cake. Smooth the top with your hands and continue to smooth it over the sides of the cake. Trim the marzipan where it meets the board and leave it to dry overnight.

Steps:

• Put the lemon peels in a bowl with water to cover. Let soak for 2 days, changing the water every 3 to 4 hours thru the day and evening.
• On the third day, rinse the peels and put into a large saucepan with water to cover. Place over low heat and simmer for 45 to 60 minutes, until peels are very soft.
• Remove from the heat and mash to a pulp or pulse in a food processor. You should have about one cup of pulp.
• Return pulp to large saucepan and add the ground almonds and 2 cups granulated sugar. Mix well and place over low heat. Stir often with a wooden spoon. Cook until the mixture thickens and starts peeling away from the pan sides.
• Remove from the heat and pour onto a chilled marble slab or chilled platter. Let cool.
• When cool, spread the powdered sugar onto a separate plate. Kneed the mixture a little and them pinch off pieces the size of hazelnuts. Roll them into balls and then roll in the powdered sugar.
• Put onto a large platter and when finished making balls, dust the marzipan again with the powdered sugar.
• Let the marzipan rest for 24 hours before serving.