How to Make Marzipan Farm Figurines

Human and animal marzipan figures can be made in vibrant colors.

You can make marzipan farm figurines for a creative edible decoration. A farm party is not complete without a theme cake complete with animals and farm workers. Marzipan is a pliable, edible dough made from ground almonds and sugar. Tiny figurines made from marzipan can have a variety of colors and small details. Top a cake with a selection of marzipan farm figures so the dessert course looks and tastes like it's fresh off the farm.

Things You'll Need

• Marzipan:
• 1 cup water
• 2 3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup corn syrup
• Saucepan
• Wood spoon or silicone spatula
• 4 cups almond meal or flour
• Cooking oil spray
• Baking sheet
• Air-tight container
• Farm figurines:
• Knife
• Gel food coloring
• Baking mat
• Paint brush
• Pastry bag and icing (optional)

Instructions

Marzipan

1. Combine the water, sugar and corn syrup in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir with a wood spoon or silicone spatula until the sugar has dissolved.

2. Reduce the heat to medium low and stir in the almond meal. Continue stirring the ingredients over the heat until they begin to form a mass and pull away from the sides of the saucepan.

3. Dump the hot marzipan dough onto a lightly oiled baking sheet. Flatten and fold the ball of dough until it cools enough to be touched. Continue kneading with your hands until the marzipan has a smooth surface texture.

4. Store the marzipan in an airtight container inside your refrigerator. Take out only the amount you need to use right away and return the remainder to the sealed container.

Farm Figurines

1. Cut a piece of dough off of the ball to form the body of a farm figurine. Add a drop or two of gel food coloring to the piece of marzipan. Knead the piece of marzipan on a baking mat to mix in the color and warm up the dough.

2. Mold the colored pieces of marzipan into the main body form of the farm figurine. A single piece is often used to form a solid back and four limbs. Work slowly and push gently to avoid tearing the marzipan.

3. Color and mold other parts of the figurines to give them distinguishing detail. Heads, hands and clothing are generally made separately and attached once complete. Roll the dough into strips to form fence planks and farm tools that fit the theme.

4. Dab a small amount of water on the area where the body form and new addition connect. Press the two wet sections together and hold them in place for at least 30 seconds or until they stay on. Add small features like eyes and hair with icing if you want a more embellished look.

5. Store the completed figures in an airtight container inside the refrigerator until just before you serve the dessert.

Tips & Warnings

• Small hard candies can be stuck onto marzipan figurines with icing.

• Coat crispy fried Asian noodles with butterscotch ice cream topping to form haystacks.

References

• Pastry Wiz: Marzipan Recipes
• Pastry Wiz: Marzipan Elephant Modeling

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish