Homemade keto marzipan with only 4 ingredients! This recipe for sugar free marzipan is not only super easy, but absolutely delicious. The perfect low carb treat - enjoy as is, or dip in chocolate or roll in cocoa powder.
Germans are crazy about marzipan, and I am no exception. About an hour from where I grew up in Hamburg is the medieval town of Lรผbeck, world-famous for its "Niederegger Marzipan". My mum always bought it on special occasions like Easter or Christmas, because it is not cheap - but delicious.
I've had a soft spot for marzipan ever since. So when a reader emailed me this morning about how to create a keto marzipan recipe, I decided I just had to post it on the blog. It is so easy, healthy and addictive in all the best ways!
You can enjoy this sugar free marzipan on its own or covered in chocolate, like I mention in this recipe. I have also used it as a filling in my low carb Christmas stollen. Or, roll it out to cover a simnel cake for Easter.
Ingredients
You only need 4 ingredients to make sugar free marzipan:
- Almond Flour
- Powdered Sweetener
- Water or Egg
- Almond Extract
Let's talk about these in detail!
#1 Ground Almonds
The main ingredient for low carb marzipan are almonds. I'm using ground almonds, which is the same as regular almond flour in the US. And of course - totally gluten-free!
You could use extra fine almond flour, but you may find you need to add a little water to keep the marzipan nice and moist. Don't use deoiled almond flour in this recipe. It is too dry.
You could even opt to make your own finely ground almond flour from blanched almonds. Only attempt this if you own a powerful food processor to ensure the paste becomes fine and smooth.
#2 Powdered Sweetener
Instead of sugar we are using powdered sweetener for our keto marzipan. I used a powdered erythritol and monk fruit blend, but powdered Swerve or allulose would work just as well. It is important that your sweetener is powdered so you're not getting any grittiness.
#3 Water Or Egg
There are 2 ways to get moisture into marzipan. You can either use 1 beaten egg or just water (or rose water, which is a very traditional way of making marzipan).
I made one version with a beaten egg and one with water as I don't use rose water enough to warrant buying a whole bottle.
Both variations tasted great - the difference is that the egg version was a little sturdier and richer in taste than the water version. The benefit of the water version is that your sugar free marzipan will last longer.
In terms of net carbs or nutrition, there's very little difference between the egg and the water version. Both came out at 0.9g net carbs for a portion of 15 grams (which is a generous mouthful or 1 praline-sized piece).
Note - For everyone who is worried about using raw egg in a recipe, just replace the whole egg with pasteurised egg whites instead. Personally, I'm not worried abut eating raw egg at all. In the UK the vast majority of eggs comply with the Lion Standard, which certifies that raw eggs are salmonella free and safe to eat.
#4 Almond Extract
Now it's time for a bit of almond flavor! I used 2 teaspoons of almond extract and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract in my first batch and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 2 teaspoons of orange extract in my second batch. Both were delicious, so just use what you have at home and according to your personal preference!
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Instructions
Seriously, there's only one main step: Put the lot in a food processor and blend until the marzipan forms a ball.
Alternatively, knead with your hands until smooth!
Then comes the fun part: Turning your sugar free marzipan into pretty goodies!
Uses
Marzipan Log
One possibility is to simply roll the paste into a log and cut into slices as I've done in the image above.
Marzipankartoffel
Another easy thing to do is roll little balls in your hands and dust them in unsweetened cocoa powder. This is actually a really popular way to eat marzipan in Germany, called Marzipankartoffeln (marzipan potatoes).
Basically, the cocoa powder represents the earth the potato is covered with. I always loved this idea.
Marzipan Praline
And here is a third thing I tried - I pressed the paste into my silicone ice cube tray and froze it for about 15 minutes so it would harden. Then, I melted 50 grams / 1.7oz 90% dark chocolate (I used Lindt).
Once the marzipan had firmed up, I released them from the mould and dipped them in the chocolate.
You can do this with any mold - think Easter eggs, little hearts etc.
You could even roll out the marzipan like you would cookie dough and use cookie cutters to cut out shapes!
Recipe FAQs
As a rule of thumb, almond paste is softer than marzipan and is used as filling in almond croissants, for example, or in cakes or cookies. Marzipan, on the other hand, is a little firmer and exclusively used in pralines and candies.
Yes, you can roll this marzipan out and coat a cake with it, for example a sugar-free simnel cake. You need to bake the cake first. Once it has cooled, add the marzipan. It is nice to spread the cake with a sugar-free jam first.
Yes, I have used it as a filling for my keto croissant recipe. Make sure you use the water version of the recipe.
How To Store Marzipan
If you make marzipan with egg, store it in the fridge for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.
Marzipan made with water will last longer and can be stored at room temperature as well (especially if it's coated in chocolate).
Marzipan that is not coated in chocolate is best stored as a log which you have snugly wrapped in cling film. This way it does not dry out.
More Keto Candy Recipes
- Almond Butter Truffles30 Minutes
- Keto Candied Pecans10 Minutes
- Keto Peanut Butter Cups30 Minutes
- Sugar Free Peanut Brittle (Keto)22 Minutes
Tried this recipe? Give it a star rating below!
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Recipe
Sugar Free Keto Marzipan
from Sugar Free LondonerNote: The servings slider only changes the first amount in each line and not any subsequent amounts. Please make your own calculations where necessary.
Ingredients
- 2 cup / 200g almond flour or ground almonds
- 1 egg (beaten) OR 2 tablespoon water / rose water
- โ cup / 107g powdered sweetener (use up to ยพ cup / 120g or even 1 cup / 160g if you prefer a sweet marzipan)
- 2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional, but recommended
Instructions
- Put all ingredients in a food processor and blend until a dough ball forms. Alternatively, knead with your hands until smooth.
- Taste and increase sweetener if required.
- Roll into 15 g balls and roll in cocoa powder or coat in melted sugar free chocolate or shape into a log and cut into slices.
- Store in the fridge.
Edelgard
Thanks for this marzipan recipe, Katrin! I only use 1/2 cup sweetener and I actually like it as much as Lรผbeck marzipan, maybe more because itโs sugar free!
Careen Fowles
I did this recipe with water and covered with the dark Lindt chocolate. I loved it. Growing up in the UK I always loved marzipan. I didnโt make it as sweet as I remember marzipan to be but the almond flavour is still there. Iโm making it again but sweeter. Itโs fantastic and kills my sugar craving. Thanks for sharing the recipe
Kathleen Boren
What about adding finely chopped pecans or shredded unsweetened coconut?
Susan Bate
What a delicious treat and under a gram of carb!
Thank you for sharing this recipe
Jacky
Thanks so much for this great recipe. Iโve just made it ready for Christmas, and having not had marzipan for six years because of the sugar, it tasted perfect not just to me, but even to my sugar-loving husband too! I made it exactly to the recipe with water rather than egg and just mixed it in a bowl, simply because I was too lazy to get the food processor out of the cupboard, but it came together very quickly and easily.
Tessa Lobb
Can you top a cake with the marzipan and bake in the oven?
Katrin Nรผrnberger
You could fill the cake with a marzipan layer, using the water version, and then bake it. This is what I did with the keto stollen. Then, once it has cooled, top it with a marzipan layer. Put a little sugar free jam underneath, if you wish, or brush with egg wash and put under the broiler / grill until it starts to caramelise. You can't bake it from scratch with the marzipan topping. It would burn.
Jรผrgen
There is no difference if I make the Marzipan with or without egg, all does not last.
Itโs eaten too quickly, what a phantastic recipe .
When visiting Niederegger in Lรผbeck, I could not resist to eat at least three cakes, of course all with Marzipan. Now this recipe and as a โlow carb addictโ this is excellent and a great revelation. Thanks Katrin
Sinead
Simply divine! I am so grateful for this recipe. I blitzed some blanched almonds into a fine flour, added erythritol, rose water (as am allergic to eggs), almond essence, vanilla and rolled it in cocoa. Stunning. Thank you.
Toma
Hi can I make this with no sweetener?
Katrin Nรผrnberger
Yes, of course.
Lissette
This recipe was outstanding! I thought my Christmastime treat was going to be no more as I am keto now, but I was thrilled to find this recipe and after following it to the letter (with the rose water), I am so very happy to declare that my Christmas tradition can continue. Thank you!!!