Marzipan Hedgehog Recipes

Steps:

• With a paring knife, make a 1/2-inch-wide pocket on side of each apricot. Stuff each with chocolate. Pinch off 1-teaspoon pieces of marzipan; flatten with your fingers to about 1/8 inch thick. Wrap each around an apricot, molding to adhere until fully covered in an egg shape (pinch off excess, if needed).
• With a small brush, lightly coat marzipan eggs with egg white; roll in sugar. Transfer to a plate; let stand 30 minutes. Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 weeks.

Steps:

• Beat together almond paste, sugar and rose water (or egg white) into a workable consistancy.
• Shape into a hedgehog body, head, snout and ears.
• The inside of ears may be colored with cinnamon.
• Carefully attach body parts, then add cloves for eyes.
• Press slivered almonds into body so they stand up resembling spines.
• Air dry.

Steps:

• In the bowl of an electric mixer, add the almond paste and beat just to break up the almond paste some. Add about 1 cup of the sugar and mix until it is incorporated. Add the remaining sugar and beat until incorporated. The mixture will look like coarse bread crumbs at this point. Add the corn syrup and mix to combine well. The mixture will still be very crumbly.
• Turn the mixture out onto a clean work surface and knead until it makes a smooth dough. If the dough seems too sticky, knead in a little more confectioners' sugar. The dough can be tightly wrapped and refrigerated at this point. If you want to color the marzipan, break off the amount of dough you want colored. Add a drop and knead in. For more intense color, add more food coloring. Shape into desired shapes.

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:

• In the bowl of a food processor, combine almond paste and sugar. Pulse until combined. Add the corn syrup, and pulse again until combined, about 15 times.
• Mixture should hold together when pressed. Transfer to a clean work surface; knead until smooth dough is formed. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Color as desired.