Last Updated on November 11, 2020 by Sweet and Savoury Pursuits
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If you love almonds and enjoy the taste of almond flavoured baked goods then you'll love these easy to make Chewy Almond Marzipan Bars!
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What is Marzipan?
Marzipan is primarily made of finely ground almonds and sugar. It's often used to make fruit-shaped candy and decorations for cakes. It can be readily purchased ready-made but can also be made from scratch.
I find baked goods made with marzipan paste taste amazing. I have been wanting to bake with marzipan for some time now. So when I saw this recipe for Almond Bars, I knew that I could adapt the recipe and add ready-made marzipan and almond flour for even more almond taste.
How to Make Marzipan Cookie Bars
To make these almond cookie bars, I use both marzipan and almond flour.
Bake them in a 9x13 baking pan lined with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two opposite sides of the paper. This makes it easier to lift the bars out of the pan so that you can cut even slices.
Including marzipan, almond flour and almond extract in this recipe ensures the bars come out soft and chewy with the perfect amount of almond flavour.
You could also make these almond marzipan cookies with a hint of citrus flavour. Just add half a teaspoon of grated lemon or orange zest to the batter.
The taste of almonds really shines through in these Chewy Almond Marzipan Bars. They make a delicious treat and are so irresistible that I had to share them with friends and family so I wouldn't eat them all. Enjoy!
More Desserts Featuring Almonds
- Blueberry Almond Crumble Galette
- Mini Almond and Matcha Bundt Cakes
- Apricot and Almond Biscotti with White Chocolate Drizzle
- Powdered Sugar Almond Cookies
If you make this recipe let me know how it went for you in the comment section below. I'd love to know if you made any variations to the recipe and how it worked out. And if you take a picture, share it with me on Instagram by tagging #sweetandsavourypursuits, I love to see your photos!
Chewy Almond Marzipan Bars
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup sugar
- ⅓ cup marzipan
- ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 large egg
- ½ tsp. almond extract
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup almond flour
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- ¼ tsp. sea salt
- 1 tbsp. cream or milk
- ½ cup slivered almonds toasted (see notes)
- 2 tbsp. icing sugar optional
Instructions
- Place a rack in the centre of your oven and preheat oven to 325ºF.
- Line a 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two opposite sides.
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, almond flour, baking powder and salt, stir and set aside.
- In the bowl of your mixer, beat on medium speed the butter and the sugar, until the mixture is creamy.
- Add the marzipan and beat until the marzipan has been incorporated into the butter and sugar mixture and no lumps remain.
- Add the egg and the almond extract and then beat until the batter is light and fluffy.
- Beating on low speed, add the flour mixture and beat until incorporated to the batter.
- Evenly press the dough into the bottom of the lined pan.
- Using a pastry brush, brush the cream (or milk) on top of the dough.
- Sprinkle the dough with the toasted slivered almonds and lightly press them into the top.
- Bake for 18 min, or until just barely beginning to colour around the edges. The top should be dry to the touch. Over-baking these will yield crunchy cookies.
- Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes and then using the overhang of the parchment paper, lift them out of the pan and put them on a wire rack to cool.
- Once cool, cut with a sharp knife into 18 pieces or more.
- If desired, dust them with a bit of powdered sugar.
Notes
- Toast the slivered almonds in a 350ºF oven for about 10 minutes or until they begin to colour. Make sure to stir them after the initial 5 min. Put them back in the oven making sure to keep a watch on them. Once golden, remove from the oven and let them cool.
- Using parchment paper to line the baking pan and leaving an overhang on opposite ends makes it easier to lift the bars out of the pan for cutting into even portions.
Nutrition
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VictoriaW says
Yes!! Made these yesterday and was exactly what I was looking for. Followed recipe exactly; didn’t change a thing, it’s a keeper!!
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Hello Victoria, I'm so glad to hear you found what you were looking for and enjoyed the recipe so much!!
Roger says
This looks like my dream dessert/snack, etc. Can I use Almond Paste in stead of marzipan?
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Hello Roger, so glad you want to try this recipe, you won't regret it! As long as there is some sugar in your almond paste, then it should be fine. Let me know how it goes!
tentimestea says
Oh gosh, you've managed to incorporate almonds 4 ways into these bars!! Sounds delicious! 🙂
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Thanks, they were delicious!
milkandbun says
They look beautiful and elegant! Marzipan and almond - who can resist against such
combo? 🙂 Were they very sweet? because marzipan usually is too sweet.
Happy FF! xoxo
Mila
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Hi, thank you. No, they weren't too sweet because I only used 1/3 of a cup of marzipan and I reduced the sugar in the original recipe by a third, so 2/3 cup of sugar.
I didn't find them overly sweet but they also didn't need any powdered sugar to make them sweeter, that was more for the photos!
Jhuls says
How do you know I love almonds on cookies? 😀 These are so beautiful and sound really good. Thank you for bringing these at the party. Happy FF. xx
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Well, because you have such great taste of course!!! Happy FF to you
davegon says
They look incredible. Thanks for sharing.
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Thanks, my pleasure 🙂
nancyc says
These look and sound wonderful! So pretty with the powdered sugar on top, too!
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Thanks Nancy!
Myrna says
These bars were delicious! Perfect with a cup of tea or coffee...
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Thanks Myrna! If only I had some left to have with my coffee this morning 🙂
Nancy says
Sweet perfection! These look delicious. 🙂
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Thank you Nancy 🙂
Cora Susan Gonzales says
I like to bake this cake but what is marzipan.It 's my first time to hear this ingredients. Thank you.
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Hello, marzipan is a combination of ground almonds and sugar. You can usually find it in the baking section. It should be plain and not covered in chocolate. This recipe is for making cookie bars.
Tasty Eats Ronit Penso says
I love almonds and marzipan, and these bars look amazing and tasty. 🙂
If you feel like making marzipan yourself, you're welcome to check out my post about homemade marzipan: https://ronitpenso.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/homemade-marzipan/
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Thank you! Wow, I will definetely take a look at your recipe and next time I'll make my own marzipan 🙂
Serena @ foodfulife says
Lots of almonds!!! Such a wonderful recipe, love the idea of almond bars!
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Yes lots of almond flavour make these bars extra delicious! Thanks!