How to: Marzipan on a Fruitcake

Sometimes whimisical figures are sculpted out of marzipan.

Because fruitcakes are dense they are a perfect cake to cover with marzipan. Marzipan is traditionally made of almond flour and sugar, but some contemporary marzipan includes substitute ingredients like soy flour. It is commonly used as icing and for decoration. Whimsical figures and miniature fruit are often sculpted out of marzipan. You can make your own marzipan and roll it out or you can buy sheets of marzipan in specialty stores. At room temperature marzipan should have the consistency of soft rubber.

Things You'll Need

• Plate of known size or a ruler
• Plastic wrap
• Rolling pin
• Rimless cookie sheet (optional)
• Fruit glaze
• Pastry brush
• Confectioner's sugar
• Knife
• Airtight container

Instructions

1. Determine the approximate circumference of your fruitcake by putting it on a plate of known size or by measuring all four sides with a ruler and adding up the measurements.

2. Roll fresh marzipan into a flat sheet between layers of plastic wrap using a rolling pin. Roll the sheet to a thickness between 1/4 inch and 1/8 inch.

3. Roll out the sheet until it is about 6 inches larger in circumference than your fruit cake. When marzipan gets too soft to roll put the marzipan and the plastic wrap on a rimless cookie sheet and put the whole consort in the freezer until the marzipan stiffens.

4. Brush the fruitcake with fruit glaze using a pastry brush. Dust the rolling pin with confectioner's sugar.

5. Remove the top layer of plastic wrap from the marzipan. Starting on one edge, roll the marzipan onto the rolling pin as if furling a flag.

6. Hold the rolling pin and marzipan over the fruitcake and unroll the marzipan from the rolling pin onto the tops and sides of the fruitcake.

7. Push the marzipan gently into the fruit glaze. Smooth the marzipan with your hands, working from the top down. Trim any extra marzipan on the bottom of the cake with a knife.

8. Store the fruit cake in an airtight container. Refrigerate.

References

• "Covering a Fruit Cake with Marzipan"; Cake Frills
• "Marzipan"; Baking 911