Quirky Foodster

Desserts

Massapans (Almond Marzipan Sweets) (Massapans)

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20 minutes (plus chilling)
Prep
15 minutes
Cook
12
Servings

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Ingredients

  • - Ground almonds — 250g (2 1/2 cups)
  • - Sugar — 200g (1 cup)
  • - Egg whites — 2 (2)
  • - Lemon zest — 3g (1/2 tsp)
  • - Egg yolk, beaten (for glazing) — 1 (1)
  • - Candied fruit or whole almonds, for decoration — 12 pieces (12 pieces)

Method

  1. Combine ground almonds, sugar, egg whites and lemon zest into a smooth, cohesive paste.
  2. Chill the mixture for 30 minutes to firm up slightly.
  3. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking tray with parchment.
  4. Shape the mixture into small balls or traditional oval shapes.
  5. Place on the prepared tray, brush lightly with beaten egg yolk, and top each with a piece of candied fruit or a whole almond.
  6. Bake for 12-15 minutes until lightly golden on top.
  7. Let cool completely before serving.

Introduction: Sweet, chewy almond marzipan bites, lightly browned on top, a favourite treat found in Andorran households around Christmas.

Cultural Background: Massapans share their roots with the wider Catalan and Spanish marzipan tradition, commonly appearing on Andorran sweets tables during the Christmas season.

Tips: Chilling the mixture briefly makes shaping much easier. Watch closely near the end of baking, as the tops can brown quickly.

Variations: Add a touch of orange blossom water for extra fragrance. Dust with powdered sugar after baking for a decorative finish.

Vegetarian/Vegan: Naturally vegetarian; not easily adapted to vegan due to the egg whites and yolk used in the recipe.

Serving Suggestions: Serve as part of a Christmas sweets platter alongside coffee or Cremat.

Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Reheating: Not necessary — best enjoyed at room temperature.

Nutrition: 180 kcal | Protein 5g | Carbs 18g | Fat 10g

FAQs:

Q: Why is my marzipan mixture too sticky to shape? A: This usually means it needs more chilling time — refrigerate a little longer until firmer. Q: Can massapans be made ahead of Christmas? A: Yes, they keep well for about a week stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
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