How to Make Marzipan Babies

A marzipan baby on a christening cake

Marzipan is a sweet paste made from almonds. It is frequently used in cake and cookie decoration. Marzipan can be colored and sculpted into almost any shape or design. Marzipan mushrooms are common on Yule logs; marzipan animals and fruits are common Christmas candies in Germany. Learn how to work with marzipan to make a marzipan baby.

Things You'll Need

• Marzipan, uncolored, any size
• Powdered sugar
• Latex gloves, unpowdered
• Small paring knife
• Toothpicks
• Powdered pastry coloring (optional)

Instructions

1. 

   Put on your latex gloves. Sprinkle powdered sugar on your work space. The gloves and sugar will keep the marzipan from getting sticky.

2. Cut open the tube of marzipan, and pinch off a piece big enough for the baby you want to make. If you'd like, color your marzipan by working powdered pastry coloring into the paste. Fold and stretch the marzipan like clay, thoroughly working in the color.

3. Separate the marzipan into three chunks. Roll the first chunk into a short log for the baby's body. Use your hands, the paring knife and toothpicks to shape the baby's belly button and rear end. If the marzipan begins to get sticky, sprinkle more powered sugar on it and your hands as needed. You may need to apply powdered sugar frequently depending on the room temperature and humidity.

4. Shape one remaining third of the marzipan into the baby's head. Use a toothpick to make the eyes and mouth, and pinch up the marzipan to make a nose. You can make little curls of hair by drawing with the knife or toothpick.

5. Score the top of the body where the head will go by making several slash marks with the knife. Score the bottom of the head the same way. Press the two scored areas together. Use your fingers to make the connection smooth and firm. If your marzipan baby is large, you may need to put a toothpick or two partway into the body and then connect the head to the ends of the toothpicks.

6. 

   Shape the arms and legs with the remaining marzipan. Use a toothpick and knife to make toes, fingers, knees and elbows. Score the edges of the body where the arms and legs will go, and score the ends of the arms and legs. Press the limbs into place. Smooth out the spots where the limbs meet the body, and bend the limbs as you like.

7. Store your marzipan baby and unused marzipan in the refrigerator in an airtight container or bag. Marzipan remains edible for up to several years but will begin to dry out and become stale after about six months.

Tips & Warnings

• If your marzipan gets really sticky and sugar isn't helping, place the marzipan back in the refrigerator for 30 to 45 minutes. Put on new gloves every time you start to work with a new color or section of a project.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Recipes using marzipan
• How to make your own homemade marzipan
• Odense marzipan---a best-selling marzipan