Almond Paste – Disguised fruits

Almond Paste - Disguised Fruits

 

Almond Paste - Disguised Fruits

Sometimes called "Massepain" or Marzipan, "pâte d'amandes" (almond paste) is a confectionary created by mixing almond meal, icing sugar, an egg white and some flavoring liquid such as Cognac, Rum or my favorite, orange blossom water. The combination of dry fruits and almond paste is called "fruits déguisés" which means disguised fruits. I like to make it during Christmas time as there is no cooking involved so kids can participate in the making of these homemade natural "candies."
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Wait Time1 day
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: French
Keyword: Disguised Fruits
Servings: 30 pieces

Ingredients

THIS RECIPE MAKES ABOUT 30 PIECES

    FOR THE ALMOND PASTE:

    • 200 grams almond meal
    • 200 grams icing sugar
    • 1 medium egg white
    • 1 tablespoon flavoring, orange blossom water, rose water, cognac, vodka, etc.

    FOR THE FILLING:

    • 24 pine nuts or more, 4 per piece you want to make
    • 6 or more dry apricots
    • 6 or more prunes
    • 6 or more dates
    • 6 or more dry figs
    • Some coloring, natural is best although more expensive - green or red
    • Orange blossom water, or another choice
    • 50 grams dark chocolate, 75% cocoa

    Instructions

    • Combine the almonds and the sugar in a bowl. Mix well to blend. Beat the egg white to break the albumin until foamy. Add the egg white to the almond mixture as well as the flavoring liquid. Knead until smooth. Gather into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for one day.
    • From then on, you can choose the types of disguised fruits you want to make. To make the different kinds shown in the photo, first cut the almond paste ball into four equal pieces. Then, follow the specific guidelines listed below for each disguised fruit type.
    • Pine Nut Almond Paste: Take one-quarter of the almond paste. Remove a piece of the almond paste, of an amount roughly sized between a teaspoon and a tablespoon. Shape it into a small ball. Roll in in icing sugar. Take four pine nuts and push them down in the paste as if they were the petals of a flower. Use a fork and press the teeth all around to give some shape.
    • Fig Almond Paste: Use the second quarter of the almond paste. Sprinkle some icing sugar on your work surface. Roll the paste down into a thin layer. Crush the figs in a food processor with one tablespoon of orange blossom water (or other), until you get a paste (it is ok if it is a little dry). Spread the fig paste all over the almond paste. Roll it tight then cut into slices.
    • Apricot and Chocolate Almond Paste: Cut the dry apricots so that they form small pockets. Take a quarter of the almond paste. Make little balls out of it and insert a ball inside each pocket. Melt some dark chocolate in the microwave (20 seconds at a time to make sure it does not burn). Plunge the apricot in the melted chocolate and drain on a cooling rack.
    • Prune and Date Almond Paste: Cut the remaining quarter of almond paste in two. Place one part in a bowl and mix with a few drops of coloring. Cut the fruits in half and remove the pit if necessary. Tear the almond paste (green and plain) into smaller pieces and roll into oval shapes. Push them into the fruits. Make some decorative lines by pressing down with the back of a knife.

    Notes

    The shelflife of these is one week. Cover them well and place them in the refrigerator.

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