If you colour marzipan what do you use to colour? Is americolours ok? I am worried this will make it too sticky?? Also if I make little figures now and put them in a sealed container how long will they stay good for??

TIA

Most of the colored marzipan I've seen has been painted but I think you treat marzipan a lot like fondant. You can knead in the americolor and if it gets too sticky, you can knead in more powdered sugar.

Here's some more info...

http://www.baking911.com/decorating/cakes_marzipan.htm

Thanks Lisa!! Great info!!

You're welcome!

Charleydog... do a google search for marzipan (I don't remember all the specifics)... Europeans have been making marzipan goodies for a very long time, and they actually make them well in advance and let them dry pretty thoroughly before they even decorate them. If you put them in a container (but not sealed) they should last months! I would be afraid that keeping them moist on the surface might encourage mold (not sure though) but they last forever (almost) if they're allowed to dry enough first (the inside stays soft and chewey for a long time, I would think if you leave them un-sealed for a week or 2, then lightly cellophane them after that, they'll last really well!)

Absolutely colour it as you like, just try to compensate for the yellow-y nature of it when you plan your colours (BTW ... you can mix marzipan & fondant if you need some whiter pieces, or if you find the almond flavour too strong ... I've used a 50/50 mixture and it's quite nice!)

Lisa's right ... jsut add more icing sugar if it gets too sticky. Also, you'll fnd it to be fairly temperature sensitive, so knead it as necessary, then let it rest before you try to sculpt with it!

Mel C, fabulous!!! Thanks so much. I was thinking about doing little marzipan snowmen on an x mas cake, but I have 3 b day cakes to do at that time too (just for my family) so yes, if I could do them in advance that would be great. I like the mixing fondant idea, because we all hate the taste but snowmen need to be white, so I can just add some wilton true white as well? I really appreciate your wealth of information!!!

X mas is such a busy time here, because my DH b day is on the 16th and my son and step daughter share the same bday on the 31st. I wanted to do a x mas cake for a family who had kinda "adopted" us since we've moved here...

I am so glad I can do some of it ahead of time..

Thanks again...

Marizan can be colored just like fondant. I have a pic of a cassata that is colored green. But, if you don't like the taste, why not just use a fondant to make your snowmen? Then you wouldn't have worry about storing them or moisture. Just make them, let them air dry and then put them in a container.

Thanks for the info!! I meant we don't like fondant, but doing a half mixture would at least make it taste better than plain fondant.. but as marzipan is not white it would need to be coloured.. Thanks so much!!