Marzipan is molding dough that made from almond paste. The marzipan dough can be pressed into molds that are shaped like fruits, animals or flowers and then attached to the cake with gum paste.

You can also make your own marzipan. Here are some popular recipes.
Shiny Imitation Marzipan
1/3 cup soft butter or margarine
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup white corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups (1 lb.) sifted confectioners sugar
1/2 Lb. almond paste

Add coconut & almond oil and you have an imitation flavoring, scant drop. Blend butter, syrup, salt and vanilla in large mixing bowl. Add sifted sugar all at once. Mix all together. Knead with hands. Turn out on board and continue kneading until mixture is well blended and smooth. Makes about 1 1/3 lbs. Store in cool place. Roll into 1″ balls and push into molds. Close molds, open and let fruit drop out.

Marzipan Pine Cones

7 ounces almond paste

4 ounces sliced almonds

1 1/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1 tablespoon shortening

Divide almond paste into 6 equal portions. Form each into cone shape about 1 1/2″ tall & 1″ in diameter. Beginning at the base insert pointed ends of almond slivers into paste, to resemble a pine cone.

In a microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate chips & shortening; stir until smooth. Insert a toothpick into the bottom of each cone. Holding over a bowl, spoon melted chocolate over almonds (step #2). If needed, use another toothpick to spread the chocolate to completely cover the almonds (step #3). Place on a wire rack over wax paper, let stand until firm. Yields 6 appetizing and simply delicious pine cones!

Marzipan Strawberry Recipe

1-3 oz. box strawberry gelatin dessert
1/2 teaspoon almond flavor
1 lb. granulated sugar
2/3 cup ground almonds
2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk

Mix together and pack into mold, clamp shut, open mold – tap the mold and the candy will drop out into coating mixture.

Coating for Home Made Marzipan Strawberries

2 cups macaroon coconut
1 1/2 tablespoons gelatin dessert
1 1/2 tablespoons red sugar

Roll candy in coating mixture, top with leaf or make your own using Royal Icing.

If you need to make scores or even hundreds of marzipan fruits or flowers to decorate a cake you can also use a marzipan rollerboard. This is a handy time saving device that allows you to insert a tube of marzipan dough. By inserting different cutting heads, you can make a lot of different kinds of fruits.