Marzipans, a Christmas delight

This sweet treat of Spanish heritage is one of the most popular during Christmas for its flavor, silky texture, and unique presentation.   In Spain, it has been a traditional Christmas dessert for a long time, and thanks to the cultural ties that exist between the Iberian country and Latin America, we have inherited the taste for this sweet as well as its preparation technique. According to history, marzipan was created from Arab influences during the Moors' occupation of Spain, and the first record of its preparation dates back to 1577. According to this document, its origin took place in Toledo, which is why it is eaten there all year round. Marzipan is, along with turrón, polvorones, and churros, one of the most traditional sweet treats of Christmas, at least regarding our Spanish heritage. The base of this sweet and soft preparation is almond and sugar, which is combined with flavoring ingredients such as vanilla, cinnamon, or lemon. This is where one can get creative, as the recipe is so simple that it can be enhanced with anything from coconut to chocolate, thus creating a unique type. The way to prepare marzipan at home is very simple: take the same amount of raw, peeled almonds and sugar. Then, mix and grind or blend until a uniform texture and color paste is achieved, without lumps. After that, let the dough rest and then shape it. Finally, brush it with egg white and bake at 180º for about 15 minutes to obtain marzipans that are golden on the outside and soft on the inside. In Latin America, marzipan has crossed borders, and in each place, there are different ways to prepare it. For example, the marzipan from Amatitlán, Guatemala, has been famous since the 19th century as it is made with pumpkin seeds, rice, and sugar. In Venezuela, in the Bolívar State, it is made with cashew instead of almond and sugar. In the Philippines, pili marzipan is made from pili nuts. In Mexico, of course, peanut marzipan is very popular, which you can find daily throughout the year in any convenience store. A perfect accompaniment for freshly made marzipan is a cup of hot chocolate. The complement between cocoa and almond flavor is a pairing that has always worked, making it perfect for both children and coffee with friends on a cold December afternoon.   Recipes with Marzipan Recipe for Marzipan and Chocolate Log Ingredients: - 125 grams of marzipan - 50 grams of semi-sweet chocolate - 50 grams of powdered sugar - 1 egg white Click here to find out how to prepare this marzipan.   Recipe for Fruit Cake with Chocolate and Marzipan Ingredients: - 200 grams of butter - 200 grams of brown sugar - 100 grams of dark chocolate in pieces - 75 milliliters of brandy - 1 tablespoon of vanilla essence - 250 grams of raisins - 100 grams of blueberries - 100 grams of lemon zest - 200 grams of flour - 100 grams of almonds - 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder - 3 beaten eggs - 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon - 500 grams of marzipan - powdered sugar Find the steps to prepare this recipe by clicking here.   Do you like marzipan?