Skip the store-bought almond paste. This almond paste recipe is simple and has a lovely almond flavor and texture.
Almond Paste
Updated on Nov. 21, 2024
Store-bought almond paste is hard to find—and expensive. Fortunately, learning how to make an almond paste recipe is easy. Combine blanched almonds, sugar, an egg white and almond extract in a food processor, then process until smooth. Use the paste right away in almond bars or store it in the refrigerator for later. Keep reading for our classic almond paste recipe.
Ingredients for Almond Paste
- Blanched almonds: You could also use almond flour or almond meal in place of the almonds.
- Confectioners’ sugar: Confectioners’ sugar helps prevent the nuts from turning into almond butter.
- Egg white:Â Egg white acts as a binder and adds crucial moisture.
- Almond extract:Â This adds an intense almond flavor to the paste.
Directions
Step 1: Process the ingredients
Place the almonds in a food processor.
Cover and process until smooth.
Add the confectioners’ sugar, egg white, almond extract and salt; again, cover and process until smooth.
Step 2: Divide the paste
Divide the almond paste into 1/2-cup portions and place in airtight containers. Refrigerate the portions for up to one month or freeze for up to three months.
Almond Paste Variations
- Replace the almonds: Use pistachios or hazelnuts instead of almonds if preferred.
How to Store Almond Paste
Store almond paste in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer to keep it from drying out.
How long does almond paste last?
For the best flavor and texture, use homemade almond paste within a month when refrigerated or within three months if frozen.
Almond Paste Tips
Do I need a food processor to make almond paste?
Using a food processor is the easiest way to make almond paste if you’re grinding almonds. If you use almond flour in place of the almonds, though, you could use an electric mixer or mix the ingredients by hand.
What is the difference between almond paste and marzipan?
Marzipan has a higher portion of sugar, so it’s sweeter than almond paste. Marzipan is generally served on its own or as a decoration in desserts, whereas almond paste is used as an ingredient in pastries, cookies and cakes.
In what recipes can I use almond paste?
We love topping an almond snack cake with almond paste or using the paste as a filling in bear claws and other pastries.
Homemade Almond Paste
Prep Time
10 min
Yield
1-1/2 cups
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 cups blanched almonds
- 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1 egg white
- 1-1/2 teaspoons almond extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Directions
- Place almonds in a food processor; cover and process until smooth. Add the confectioners' sugar, egg white, extract and salt; cover and process until smooth.
- Divide almond paste into 1/2-cup portions; place in airtight containers. Refrigerate for up to 1 month or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Facts
1 tablespoon: 84 calories, 5g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 29mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
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When a recipe she wanted to try called for almond paste, Anne Keenan of Nevada City, California decided to make her own. "It saves the expense of the store-bought kind," she says, "and results in a lighter baked product."
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