What is the Difference Between Frangipane and Marzipan

Frangipane and marzipan are two types of sweets based on almonds. Although both are made from similar ingredients and have an almond flavor, they have different features and purposes.

The key difference between frangipane and marzipan is their texture. Frangipane is a soft and moist spread whereas marzipan is a confectionary with a firm shape.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Frangipane 
3. What is Marzipan
4. Similarities – Frangipane and Marzipan
5. Frangipane vs Marzipan in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Frangipane vs Marzipan
7. FAQ – Frangipane and Marzipan

What is Frangipane?

Frangipane is an almond-flavored spreadable paste with a rich and aromatic flavor. Its main ingredients are almond flour, softened butter, eggs, sugar, and almond extract. Frangipane is very easy to make. All you have to do is beat the above ingredients together in a bowl until it becomes a spreadable paste. This recipe only takes about 5 minutes to prepare. Traditionally, frangipane is made by mixing two parts of almond cream with one part of pastry cream. Almond cream contains butter, almond meal, sugar, eggs, bread flour, and rum, whereas pastry cream contains whole milk, vanilla bean, cornstarch, butter, sugar, and egg yolks/whole eggs.

However, this spread is not eaten raw. This because it has raw eggs and flour. Frangipane is always used as a topping or filling in sweets or desserts that are baked. In fact, frangipane is main component in food items like fruit tart, Bakewell Tart, Bostock, Almond Galette, conversation tart, Jésuite and pithivier.

What is Marzipan?

Marzipan is a ready-to-eat sweet found in confectionary shops. You can also make it at home. It is made from finely ground almonds, sugar, and egg whites. When the almonds are ground, oil from them combines with egg whites and sugar and turns into a smooth and pliable texture. This texture helps to mold and roll the paste into a flexible sheet. Marzipan can be shaped and cut into different shapes, like fruits or vegetables. It can also be used for decorating cakes and pastries. Marzipan sweets are often dyed in various colors.

Different countries have different traditions regarding marzipan. France has candy-shaped marzipan coated in chocolate while Germany has marzipan shaped as potatoes and bread. However, marzipan is usually popular in the U.S around the holidays.

Similarities Between Frangipane and Marzipan

1. Both frangipane and marzipan are made from almonds.
2. They have a sweet taste.
3. Both are mainly used in desserts.

Difference Between Frangipane and Marzipan

Definition

• Frangipane is an almond-flavored spreadable paste.
• Marzipan is a ready-to-eat almond-flavored sweet found in confectionary shops.

Ingredients

• Frangipane is made from almond flour, softened butter, eggs, sugar, and almond extract.
• Marzipan is made from finely ground almonds, sugar, and egg whites.

Texture

• Frangipane has a soft and moist texture.
• Marzipan is firm and can be molded into different shapes.

Purpose

• Frangipane is always used as a topping or a filling in desserts.
• Marzipan is used in ready-to-eat sweets and decorations in cakes and pastries.

Cooking

• Frangipane should not be eaten raw; it needs to be baked.
• Marzipan can be eaten raw.

The following table summarizes the difference between frangipane and marzipan.

Summary – Frangipane vs Marzipan

Frangipane is a soft and moist spread that is used as a filling in desserts whereas marzipan is a confectionary with a firm shape used as ready-to-eat sweet or decorations in cakes and pastries. This is the summary of the difference between frangipane and marzipan.

FAQ: Frangipane and Marzipan

1. Is frangipane the same as marzipan?

• Frangipane is not the same as marzipan, although both are almond-based sweets. Frangipane is a creamy, spreadable filling made with almond flour, whereas marzipan is a thick sweet made with almond flour.

2. What is the difference between frangipane and crème d’amande?

• Crème d’amande, or almond cream, is made from ground almonds or almond flour, sugar, butter, and eggs. It has a smoother and denser texture compared to frangipane.

3. Is frangipane always almond?

• Frangipane is traditionally made with almonds. However, if you are allergic to almonds or cannot find almond, you can try it with other nuts, like pistachios, hazelnuts, or pecans. But this will give result in flavors.

4. Why is it called frangipane?

• Frangipane is a French word. This word is said to originate from the name of Marquis Muzio Frangipani or Cesare Frangipani. Some other stories say that this food is named after a16th-century Parisian chef.

5. Is frangipane a custard or cake?

• Frangipane is not a cake. When looking at its texture, we can describe it as a custard. It has a soft and moist texture that is spreadable. This paste is usually used as a filling in food like Bakewell Tart, Bostock, Almond Galette, and, Jésuite.

Reference:

1. “What is Frangipane?” King Arthur Baking.

2. “What is Marzipan?” Food Network.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Galette Frangipane 2021” By Benh LIEU SONG (Flickr) – (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

2. “Marzipan – Lisbon, Portugal – DSC07057” By Daderot – Own work (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia

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