What can I use instead of almond paste? Marzipan is the closest substitute for almond paste in taste, whereas persipan lends a similar texture. Then, a chestnut paste is versatile and an ideal replacement for almond paste. You can also doctor almond butter or create a homemade almond paste.
Almond paste is a sweet, fragrant confection primarily made from ground almonds and sugar. Almond paste is a critical ingredient in many baked goods, including pastries, cakes, cookies, and more. If you can’t find this sweet, nutty paste, try substituting it with the following alternatives.
The Best Almond Paste Substitutes
Marzipan
Although mainly used for decoration, marzipan is the closest substitute for almond paste in taste and texture. In addition, marzipan is a lot easier to find in supermarkets.
Like almond paste, marzipan has a soft, pliable texture and sweet almond flavor. However, almond paste is coarser and noticeably less sweet.
When substituting almond paste for marzipan, use between 20 and 30% less marzipan than almond paste or cut back on the recipe’s sugar recommendation.
Note: substituting almond paste for marzipan can be tricky with spreads and batters. Use persipan instead when making spreads and batters.
Persipan
Persipan is the best substitute for almond paste regarding texture, especially for spreads and batters.
Persipan is a paste made from debittered apricot kernels and sugar. It boasts a similar texture to almond paste; however, the taste is pretty bland.
Persipan is ideal for adding to recipes that call for a paste texture, especially batter mixtures. Consider adding several drops of almond essence to spruce up persipan’s bland flavor.
Chestnut Paste
Chestnut paste is a versatile ingredient that you can use to replace almond paste. However, it’s a little pricy and scarce in general supermarkets – Fortunately, online stores are a quick and easy solution.
Chestnut paste is primarily made from chestnuts and sugar, giving it a similar texture and nutty flavor to the almond paste. You can use the chestnut paste as a spread, filling, or in a dessert.
Substitute almond paste with the chestnut paste using a 1:1 ratio. Then, you can add a drop of almond extract to mimic the almond paste’s flavor.
Note: Check the ingredients list to ensure the chestnut paste doesn’t contain added flavors like vanilla.
Almond Butter
You can use almond butter as an almond-based substitute for almond paste; however, you’ll have to doctor it first.
Almond paste and almond butter differ significantly in texture and taste. Almond paste has a stiffer texture and contains much more sugar than almond butter, almost entirely made from almonds.
If your only viable replacement is almond butter, add powdered sugar to thicken and sweeten it.
Homemade Almond Paste
If you can’t find almond paste at the store, grab your whole almonds out of the cupboard and make a homemade version of almond paste.
You’ll need 3 cups whole blanched almonds, 2 cups powdered sugar, 2 large egg whites (room temperature), and 1 teaspoon almond extract.
Blend the blanched almonds and 1 cup of sugar in the food processor until it reaches a finely ground consistency.
Then, add the remaining sugar and pulse. Now, add the egg whites and almond extract and process until it turns into a clay-like texture.
You can add more sugar if the mixture is a little sticky.
Note: Do not over-process the almond paste, as it can turn into almond butter.