How to Make the Best Almond Paste in Under 5 Minutes

I am so excited to show you How to Make the Best Almond Paste in Under 5 Minutes!  This easy recipe is super simple to make and has the perfect texture, sweetness, and rich almond flavor.  Best of all, it can be ready to use in your favorite recipe at a moment’s notice!    

I love to bake with this delicious ingredient but there are a couple of drawbacks to buying almond paste from my local grocery store. First, it is expensive, so it is not a pantry staple that I keep on hand.  Second, when using store-bought almond paste, the texture can be inconsistent, which can impact the outcome of your recipe.  And third, the sugar content is different from brand to brand. 

Using a homemade almond paste recipe allows you to control the sweetness and consistency so you know what to expect every time you bake with it.   With a few simple ingredients that are always in my pantry, it is easy to have perfect almond paste available whenever I need it.  If you have eggs, confectioners sugar, and almond flour, you can make almond paste too.

How to Use This Easy Almond Paste Recipe

Almond Paste is a key ingredient in many Italian desserts.  Some of our favorites include my Italian Almond Cake, Pignoli cookies, Italian Flag Cookies, and my mom’s Italian Almond Cookies. It is also often used as an almond filling for pastries such as bear claws.  And who doesn’t love the nutty flavor of almond croissants?  You can even use it to make homemade marzipan.

I know this sounds dramatic, but making my own almond paste has been life-changing!  You have no idea how good my desserts have been since I started using this homemade version. 

Ingredients

• Almond Flour:  Almond flour is made from finely ground almonds.  You can use almond meal, which is more coarsely ground, as a substitute, but you will need to use a food processor to grind it more finely if you want your final product to have the desired consistency. 
• Large Egg White: This acts as a binder and provides just enough moisture to create the paste consistency.
• Powdered Sugar (aka Confectioners’ Sugar):  You can control the sweetness of the almond paste by using more or less sugar.
• Almond Extract:  This adds a bolder, richer almond flavor to the paste.

Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions

1. Using a food processor, blend the almond flour and powdered sugar.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients to the flour mixture.  Pulse the food processor until a dough ball begins to form.
3. Pour the mixture out onto a parchment paper lined work surface, press it together to form a ball, then either flatten it into a disk or roll it into a log. It is ready to use immediately.

Storing Instructions

This recipe will make about 12 ounces of almond paste, which is more than you need for most recipes.  Whatever you don’t use immediately should be wrapped tightly with plastic wrap and placed in an airtight container or a plastic storage bag with the air pressed out.  It can be stored in the refrigerator for about 3 weeks or in the freezer for up to 6 months.  Let it come to room temperature before you use it.  

​What is the difference between almond paste and marzipan?

Although both almond paste and marzipan are made with ground almonds, sugar, and a binder, they are not the same thing and can’t be used interchangeably in recipes.  In fact, you can use almond paste to make marzipan. 

This post on Webrestaurantstore.com, explains it well. According to the post, the main difference between the two is the ratio of sugar to almonds:  “Almond paste has twice the amount of almonds in it compared to marzipan, making it coarser in texture and less sweet than its counterpart. Their consistency also differs as marzipan is smooth and pliable, almost clay-like, while almond paste is somewhat gritty and spreadable, almost like a cookie dough.”  

The article explains that in the UK “almond paste” and “marzipan” are used to describe the same thing, but in the US they have different definitions. 

​Almond Flour vs. Almond Meal

The main difference between almond flour and almond meal is the way they are ground.  Both are made from whole almonds, but in almond flour, the almonds are blanched, and the skins are removed before they are ground to a fine powder.  Almond meal has a darker color and a coarser consistency because unblanched almonds are ground with the skins on.  Bob’s Red Mill provides an in-depth explanation of the differences and benefits of using each type of flour.  Almond meal can be used in place of almond flour in most recipes.

Can I Make Almond Paste from Whole Almonds?

Yes, you can use whole-blanched almonds to make almond paste.  Start by placing 3 cups of blanched almonds in the food processor or high-speed blender.  Grind the almonds until they are a fine powder.  Then follow the recipe as written in the recipe card below.  Approximately 1 1/2 cups of whole almonds will make just about a cup of almond flour.

Can I Make Almond Paste without A Food Processor?

Yes, you can use an electric mixer or even mix it by hand if you don’t have a food processor.  An electric mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment will produce similar results as the food processor.  If you are mixing it by hand use a fork to help blend the ingredients.  Just continue to work the mixture with the fork until it comes together into a dough.

Can I Make This Recipe Without Raw Egg Whites? 

The egg white in this recipe acts as the binder that creates the paste.  I do not have a substitute for the egg whites that I feel comfortable recommending.  If your concern is food safety, it is a good idea to make sure the almond paste is properly stored and that the eggs you are using are fresh.  If you follow these steps there should not be a problem.  

I love to get your feedback so if you tried this Almond Paste or any other recipes on this website, please leave me a comment below.  I hope you enjoy our recipes and look forward to hearing from you!

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