Marzipan is a sweet, pliable paste made from ground almonds and sugar, used both as a candy and as an ingredient in baking. It has a smooth, play-dough-like texture that makes it perfect for molding into shapes. Bakers often sculpt marzipan into miniature fruits, animals, or flowers to decorate fancy cakes, especially for weddings and holidays.

The almond flavor is distinct and rich, quite different from chocolate or vanilla. In Europe, especially Germany and Scandinavia, marzipan treats are traditional Christmas sweets. You might find marzipan layered inside chocolate bars, rolled into small potatoes dusted with cocoa powder, or shaped into realistic-looking strawberries and oranges.

Professional bakers prize marzipan because it can be rolled thin to cover entire cakes, creating a smooth surface for decorating. Home bakers sometimes find it tricky to work with since it can crack if it dries out, but when handled properly, it's remarkably versatile. If you've ever bitten into a fancy European chocolate and discovered a sweet, almond-flavored center, you've probably tasted marzipan.