Homemade Almond Paste
Almond paste is a mixture of ground blanched almonds and sugar. It is an ingredient in many Italian cookies and pastries. Almond paste is usually sold in small cans in the baking aisle of stores. If you have used almond paste in the past, you know how expensive it can be. I tried several different recipes for homemade almond paste and these two are my favorites. I have used the homemade paste in several recipes and it worked as well as the store brands.
A few tips when making homemade almond paste:
You must use almonds with no skins. You can buy them whole or slivered or blanch them yourself. Do not use sliced almonds because they usually have a small bit on skin on them that will darken your almond paste.
How to Blanch Almonds:
Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the almonds and simmer for 1 minute. Drain the almonds and rinse under cold water. Rub each almond between your thumb and forefinger and the almond will pop out of the skin. Almonds to be made into almond paste must be dry. Spread the blanched almonds on a kitchen towel and allow them to air dry for about an hour.
You must use almonds with no skins. You can buy them whole or slivered or blanch them yourself. Do not use sliced almonds because they usually have a small bit on skin on them that will darken your almond paste.
How to Blanch Almonds:
Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the almonds and simmer for 1 minute. Drain the almonds and rinse under cold water. Rub each almond between your thumb and forefinger and the almond will pop out of the skin. Almonds to be made into almond paste must be dry. Spread the blanched almonds on a kitchen towel and allow them to air dry for about an hour.
Basic Recipe for Almond Paste
I like this recipe because you can make any amount of almond paste that you need by simply using the same ratio of almonds to sugar.
Use 1/2 teaspoon more of almond extract for every 1/2 cup increase in almonds and then add a little more egg white to hold the mixture together.
Ingredients:
Use equal amounts of blanched almonds and granulated sugar by weight
Almond extract
Egg whites
For example: To make about 5 ounces of almond paste
Use 1/2 cup of blanched almonds (weight approx. 2.5 ounces) with 2.5 ounces of sugar. Add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract. Add egg white, one tablespoon at a time, until the mixture comes together. If you need 1 cup of almond paste, simply measure your almonds in a measuring cup first.
Then weigh the cup of almonds and add an equal weight of sugar.
Directions:
Put blanched almonds and sugar in the bowl of a food processor.
Process for about 1 minute until the almonds are finely ground, almost like a powder. Add the almond extract. With the machine running, begin to add the egg whites through the feed tube until the mixture forms a ball.
Another Recipe for Almond Paste
Makes a more pliable paste:
Ingredients:
1 cup blanched almonds
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg white
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon almond extract
Directions:
In a food processor, process the almonds and sugar until powdery, about 1 minute. Add the egg white, butter, and extract.
Process until the mixture forms a ball.
(Makes about 1-1/4 cups or 11 ounces)
Almond paste can be wrapped and refrigerated for up to a month.
You can also freeze any leftover almond paste to extend its shelf life.
Bring the almond paste to room temperature before using.
You can also freeze any leftover almond paste to extend its shelf life.
Bring the almond paste to room temperature before using.
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If you use a lot of almond paste you might want to buy it in larger quantities. Divide it into portions, place in airtight containers, and refrigerate or freeze until you need it.
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FIORI DI SICILIA
Fiori di Sicilia means "Flowers of Sicily" in Italian. A combination of citrus and vanilla with a pleasingly floral aroma.
