• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Nordic Food & Living
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
      • Nordic Bread
      • Bread
      • Jam - Spread - Dip
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
      • Pork
      • Chicken
      • Fish
      • Pie
      • Tapas
      • Fast and Easy Food
    • Desserts
      • Nordic Dessert
      • Cake
      • Pie
      • Ice Cream
    • Side Dish
      • Bread
      • Salads
      • Jam - Spread - Dip
      • Snacks
    • Healthy Food
    • Traditional Danish
    • Nordic Christmas
    • Kitchen guides
  • Travel Guides
  • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
  • In Danish
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Traditional Danish
  • Nordic Bread
  • Nordic Christmas
  • Nordic Dessert
search icon
Homepage link
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Traditional Danish
  • Nordic Bread
  • Nordic Christmas
  • Nordic Dessert
×

"Home" » Desserts

"Home" » Desserts

Marzipan without refined Sugar

Published: Jan 8, 2017 · Modified: Sep 1, 2019 · About 3 minutes to read this article. · By Kim Nielsen

Recipe for Homemade Marzipan without sugar

This is a recipe for a homemade marzipan where there has not been added any refined sugar. A traditional marzipan is made from two very simple ingredients; skinned almonds and sugar - super simple but also a bit unhealthy due to the amount of refined sugar. However, this is not an issue because marzipan is normally only used to make candy and cakes where sugar typically is not considered an issue.
Even though cakes and other treats normally contains lots of sugar - which is typically the idea with it - it can sometimes be interesting in making cakes which contains less or no sugar, flour, butter or similar. Unhealthy and alternative cake recipes can sometimes be nice to have.
If you have a recipe where you should use raw marzipan, and you are looking for a healthy alternative to the traditional marzipan, you can try using the recipe I have shown below.

Sugar Free Marzipan

The recipe for sugar free marzipan is super easy to make and it only requires two ingredients; skinned almonds and dates. The almonds are the foundation in all marzipan and the dates has a high content of natural sugar which gives the sweetness to the marzipan.

I personally always use this recipe when I am making the sugar and flourless Danish Tree Logs, which are traditional Danish cakes with marzipan wrapped around. You should differently check out this recipe if you do not know it - you can find it here on my blog in the cake section.

Recipe for marzipan without refined sugar

Making your own sugar free marzipan is super simple. You start by skinning the almonds using very hot water. I have a separate guide here on my blog how to skin almonds the easy way. The short instruction, how to skin the almonds is to let the almonds soak in very hot water for about 8-10 minutes and then remove the skin in-between two fingers. When you have prepared the almonds, pour them in a blender and blend them together with seedless dates for a couple of minutes. Form the sticky marzipan into a ball and let it rest in the fridge for about 15-30 minutes and it is ready.


Homemade Marzipan without refined Sugar

3-4 people
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Danish title: Hjemmelavet Marzipan uden sukker
Cuisine: Danish
Category: dessert

Ingredients:
100 g (3.5 oz) almonds
3 dates, stoneless (about 45 g or 1 2/3 oz)

Instructions:
1. In a small bowl; cover the almonds with boiling water. Set aside for about 7-10 minutes.
2. Using the tip of your finger to easily skin the almonds. This step should be easy. If it is difficult to remove the skin then cover the almonds with some new hot water and let then them soak for another 5 minutes.
3. Pour the skinned almonds into a food processor or blender. Run on high speed to turn the almonds into almonds flour.
4. Add the stone less dates and run until the almonds and dates are turned into a nice and slightly sticky marzipan. Depending on the freshness of the dates, you might also need to add a little water (about 1 tbsp) to better get the almonds and dates to mix into a nice Marzipan.
5. Cover the marzipan with plastic wrapping and keep it in the fridge until you need it.



Recipe for Homemade Marzipan without sugar

Recipe for Homemade Marzipan without sugar

Recipe for Homemade Marzipan without sugar

Recipe for Homemade Marzipan without sugar

Recipe for Homemade Marzipan without sugar

Recipe for Homemade Marzipan without sugar

Recipe for Homemade Marzipan without sugar

Recipe for Homemade Marzipan without sugar

Recipe for Homemade Marzipan without sugar

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Joe Martinez

    October 18, 2017 at 4:32 pm

    Sorry, but this is not sugar-free marzipan: it is sucrose-free marzipan. For a diabetic trying to control their condition through diet, this would be a disaster, and would put their blood sugar into the stratosphere Please re-title your page to make it more accurate.

    Reply
    • George Hanley

      December 26, 2017 at 1:36 am

      Surely any diabetic readers will know this. It says that dates have a very high natural sugar content in the recipe. Besides which, in reference to cakes and desserts, 'sugar free' is usually taken to mean 'no refined sugar'. Calling this 'marzipan without sucrose' would be far more confusing to most people.

      Reply
      • Op

        August 26, 2018 at 4:16 am

        I agree that the title is misleading. Just mark it as "no refined sugar" marzipan. I think most diabetics or those that are watching their diets in particular would find this very helpful. It would take nothing away from your recipe and it would be very useful to the readers you're going through a lot of trouble to share your goodies with. *written with nothing but love*

        Reply
        • Kim Nielsen

          September 04, 2018 at 2:06 pm

          I completely agree with you. The title could be misleading. I'll update the title. Thanks for your feedback :-)

          Reply
          • njle

            May 24, 2020 at 9:35 pm

            Find a way to make this with Stevia and it would truly be sugar free.

          • Tim Doran

            December 19, 2020 at 10:44 pm

            Thanks for the brilliant recipe. I'm going to make a stollen tomorrow. I used this recipe last year and it was brilliant. It tastes almondy without the over the top sugar sweetness of traditional marzipan.

          • Kim Nielsen

            December 21, 2020 at 7:28 am

            You are welcome. I'm glad that you can use the recipe for homemade "sugar free" marzipan. Regards Kim (NordicFoodLiving.com)

        • Ellie

          January 02, 2020 at 2:40 am

          Very cool! I love making desserts with dates, and i will be trying this out soon. I usually use Deglet Noor dates, which are significantly less expensive than Medjool, but they are also significantly less sweet, so I normally will multiply the amount of dates accordingly. So I might make this with 10 Deglet Noor dates instead of 3. Thanks for sharing this!

          Reply
      • Nettie

        August 12, 2019 at 11:45 pm

        I dont find it misleading there is no actual sugar i am Diabetic and i tried this recipe and it did not raise mt sugar to the stratospere i made rolls with this as the center with whe wheat flour and dried fruits it was delicious and as a Diabetic i made the rolls small so i can enjoy with out the worry.

        Reply
        • Lesly

          June 08, 2020 at 7:09 pm

          nettie are you from Chicago?

          Reply
        • Judith

          May 18, 2021 at 1:32 pm

          This came out really well. I used it for Easter this year and really enjoyed this healthy version. Thank you

          Reply
      • Gary Sanchez

        December 19, 2022 at 4:51 pm

        According to research from multiple studies, the average Glycemic Index of dates is 42. This classifies them as a low GI food and safe for those with diabetes when eaten in moderation.

        Reply
    • Sky Dancer

      August 23, 2020 at 7:22 pm

      Simple new title: "Homemade Date-Sweetened Marzipan". Describes it well. Can't wait to make this!

      Reply
    • Maja Siroki

      December 13, 2020 at 5:38 pm

      it is written without refined sugar

      Reply
    • CG

      April 19, 2021 at 9:13 pm

      Actually no. Dates have a relatively low glycemic index, fiber, and are a very healthy alternative to refined sugar. Date consumption does not cause blood sugar spikes. Read up on the science.

      Reply
    • MayaSapphire

      September 05, 2022 at 1:00 am

      This is not a helpful response and I disagree with your perspective. The world does not rotate around those that are diabetic. This is DEFINITELY a sugar (refined) free recipe! And you would be ok with dates if you stopped eating the real culprits...animal products, simple carbs, processed food. Educate yourself on nutrition instead of listening to your doctor who has almost no nutrition knowledge.

      Reply
  2. Rob

    December 24, 2017 at 7:21 pm

    Thanks great recipe, it tasted delicious and like the ‘real thing’.
    I hate the fact shop bought marzipan contains so much refined sugar so was searching for a simple salternative. This took me a few minutes in a mini blender using shop bought ground almonds, it definitely needed some water to help ot bind together.

    Reply
  3. Jo

    April 28, 2018 at 4:38 pm

    There is always someon out there to criticise.
    Thank you for the recipe.

    Reply
    • Kim Nielsen

      April 29, 2018 at 1:18 am

      You are welcome :-)

      Reply
  4. Tanya

    August 21, 2018 at 3:55 am

    Exactly what I was looking for! Thank you!

    Reply
  5. Sue

    October 08, 2018 at 11:47 pm

    Hello! Would this marzipan be suitable to use in the kranzekage? I'm in Canada and the store-bought marzipan is poor quality so I'd like to try making my own.
    (Very happy to have found your site as I've been trying to find some of these recipes for a long time :)
    Thanks,
    Sue

    Reply
    • Kim Nielsen

      October 09, 2018 at 11:46 am

      Hello. Actually, I have never tried this marzipan in the kransekage. However, I can't see why it should not work. I happy that you like my site :-)

      Reply
  6. Mags

    October 14, 2018 at 4:26 pm

    I was looking for a no sugar marzipan recipe, read a few but yours looks so simple. Although I generally don't eat many dried fruits, to be able to make and eat marzipan at Christmas will be great. I stopped eating sugar a long time ago but have got tired of having a piece of fruit when everyone else is eating sweets so thought I'd give myself a treat. I will be making small pieces covered in 100% cocoa chocolate, a 'healthy' treat. Thank you for your lovely recipes.

    Reply
    • Kim Nielsen

      October 16, 2018 at 6:03 am

      That sounds like a really good idea. I'm happy that you like this recipe. It's also one of my favorite :-)

      Reply
  7. Vincent

    October 26, 2018 at 3:50 pm

    Can dried dates be substituted in place of fresh ones?

    Reply
    • Kim Nielsen

      October 27, 2018 at 7:12 am

      I haven't tried this recipe with dried dates. However, I don't think it will work. I think the dried dates are too 'dry'. We need the moist to make the marzipan stick together.

      Reply
      • Naomi

        December 24, 2018 at 9:53 pm

        I made this with dried dates today and just soaked them in boiling water for 20 mins before using. I used about 8 dates per 100g almonds as they are smaller. I also added some almond essence like someone else suggested. Seriously good recipe! Best marzipan I have ever made! Such a great idea, it holds together very well when rolled out for a cake topping too. Thank you :)

        Reply
  8. Diane

    December 11, 2018 at 11:01 pm

    Great! This is just what I was looking for!! I'm not used to eating a lot of sugar anymore, and bought some nice marzipan treats at a local Danish bakery. The sugar sent my head spinning so I didn't enjoy it. But I've done just fine with ground dates before so I'm going to give this a whirl!!! Thank you! One question, though, where do you find these dates? Are they canned or are they in the produce section?

    Reply
    • Kim Nielsen

      December 12, 2018 at 6:49 am

      Yes it's actually great reducing the sugar. I've it the same way as you regarding sugar.
      It's a good question regarding where to find the dates. It's my experience that my local supermarket keep finding new spots for the dates. Sometime they are located in the vegetable section and sometimes they are located in the canned food section. I have even found them next to the freezers with meat. I always just ask an employee where to find them :-) I always get the dates which comes in small cardboard boxes with plastic wrapping.

      Reply
      • Diane

        December 12, 2018 at 8:16 pm

        Great! I will ask around while I'm at the store so I get the right ones. Thanks so much for your help! Looking so forward to trying this.

        Reply
  9. Jo

    December 12, 2018 at 3:17 pm

    Is it ok to put a few drops of almond essence in?

    Reply
    • Kim Nielsen

      December 13, 2018 at 8:17 pm

      That is actually a good idea :-)

      Reply
  10. Jo

    December 12, 2018 at 3:40 pm

    Further to my last question. Is this suitable to put on top of a Christmas cake.please?
    There will be no icing.

    Reply
    • Kim Nielsen

      December 13, 2018 at 8:17 pm

      Yes you can absolutly do that.

      Reply
  11. Jesta erichsen

    January 05, 2019 at 4:05 am

    Just found your comments/web side?

    Would you kindly add me to your mailing list. I am danish and will now try your marzipan receip

    Anything new let me know.
    Godt nytår og mange tak.

    Reply
    • Kim Nielsen

      January 08, 2019 at 12:34 pm

      Hi. I currently don't have a mailing list. The best way of following my blog is "liking" the blog on Facebook or simply by visiting the site from time-to-time.

      Reply
  12. susie

    January 19, 2019 at 6:34 pm

    how about soaking the almonds first (many sites recommend soaking almonds in spring water and salt for 24 hours to neutralise the phytic acid to increase the bioavalabitity of the minerals they contain) Great reipe just what I was looking for

    Reply
  13. Christina | Christina's Cucina

    February 02, 2019 at 6:28 am

    I just linked to this recipe from my Semlor recipe! Thank you!

    Reply
  14. Marilyn

    February 11, 2019 at 5:14 am

    Thank you for this healthy, wonderful, easy whole-food recipe.

    Reply
  15. Gail

    March 07, 2019 at 9:37 pm

    How does this marzipan compare to almond paste? Some recipes call for almond paste, and I would like to make a replacement for that.

    Reply
    • Kim Nielsen

      March 13, 2019 at 8:49 am

      Actually I've never cooked with almond paste. I don't think almond paste is that common in Europe. Sorry I can't answer your question

      Reply
  16. Sarah

    April 20, 2019 at 7:00 am

    What blender are you all using as this recipe won't work for me in a vitamix! No chance. The stuff just sits in half prosessed lumps under the blades. Highly unsuccessful.

    Reply
    • Kim Nielsen

      April 21, 2019 at 1:13 pm

      I'm using a small hand blender with a small blender attachment. If the dough is sticking to the side, then add a little water. You can also use a tablespoon to scrape the dough from the sides.

      Reply
      • Marcie

        November 15, 2021 at 11:59 am

        I have been bothered about the amount of refined sugar in marzipan. Thanks for this lovely and simple solution.
        Now ready for stollen... and Danish tree logs :-)

        Reply
  17. Eva

    May 23, 2019 at 11:53 am

    Does it have to be almonds or can other nuts or food be used?

    Reply
    • Kim Nielsen

      May 25, 2019 at 12:20 pm

      The original Marzipan is made by almonds, so I would recommend using almonds. However, I'm quite sure that you can make a marzipan based on other types of nuts. I will not be real marzipan but still great, I think.

      Reply
  18. Eva

    July 28, 2019 at 5:27 pm

    Can this be used in sugarcraft as a fondant alternative?

    Reply
    • Kim Nielsen

      July 29, 2019 at 8:15 am

      Yes you should be able to use this marzipan as an alternative to fondant.

      Reply
  19. Sharon

    August 28, 2019 at 4:15 am

    Good day thank you for the recipe. Please I can't get almonds around here, can I use only dates for the marzipan? Thank you so much. Please I need the answer urgently.

    Reply
    • Kim Nielsen

      August 28, 2019 at 5:07 am

      Almonds is the main ingredient in regular marzipan and this sugar-free marzipan. Unfurtunately, you can't make marzipan without almonds.

      Reply
  20. Adam

    November 06, 2019 at 7:54 am

    I'm glad you called this sugar free marzipan as I would never have found it on Google if it had another name. I'm going to try it with dried dates and skin my own almonds.. Thank you

    Reply
    • Kim Nielsen

      November 07, 2019 at 11:06 am

      You are welcome :-)

      Reply
  21. Claudia

    November 25, 2019 at 6:40 pm

    I haven't even tried this yet but I can practically taste it. What a great idea! Thank you for sharing it.

    Reply
    • Kim Nielsen

      November 26, 2019 at 11:05 am

      You are welcome - I hope that you like the recipe :-)

      Reply
  22. Jane

    December 11, 2019 at 12:48 am

    Nice and a healthier idea. Thanks.

    Reply
  23. Carine

    December 15, 2019 at 11:43 am

    Thank you very much for this helpful recipe which I plan on trying. Any suggestions on how long this marzipan paste might last in the fridge? Planning to make marzipan fruits as Christmas gifts. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Kim Nielsen

      December 15, 2019 at 12:24 pm

      That is actually a good question. Normally I use the marzipan right away. However, my guess is that it will be good for at least 1-2 weeks in the fridge. Regards Kim (NordicFoodLiving.com)

      Reply
  24. Carine

    December 16, 2019 at 6:57 pm

    Many thanks Kim for the suggestions. Just made a batch and it's delicious! Ended up having to use a pestle and mortar as my blender couldn't make the flour fine enough. Next will try dyeing it with natural food colouring. Thank you.

    Reply
  25. Marc Ernest Neal

    December 21, 2019 at 10:07 am

    I am very happy that you had posted this. These days everyone had bad things to say about everything... I thank you very much for this recipe. Very well done...!!!

    Reply
    • Kim Nielsen

      December 21, 2019 at 6:11 pm

      I'm happy about you comment - I agree with you! Regards Kim (Nordicfoodliving.com)

      Reply
  26. Karen

    December 30, 2019 at 5:51 pm

    Absolutely loved this! So super easy with ground almonds & a bit of almond essence! Really tasted like marzipan - with my first processed-sugar free Christmas I didn't feel deprived at all :) Thanks so much for sharing and making it really simple xx

    Reply
    • Kim Nielsen

      January 01, 2020 at 3:15 pm

      You are very welcome - I'm just happy that you like the recipe for marzipan and that you can use it. Regards Kim (Nordicfoodliving.com)

      Reply
  27. Delphine Neufeld

    April 20, 2020 at 8:01 pm

    Love it! I added 2 tsp. cherry brandy. I used some in a artizan bread that I made with dried cherries, cinnamon and lemon rind. Yum!

    Reply
  28. AJ

    May 25, 2020 at 10:44 pm

    Having read some of the nonsense and being Diabetic myself it seems no one bothers to research anything before commenting.

    Almonds can and does reduce blood sugar levels.

    Furthermore natural sugar from fruit is far less damaging than refined sugars.

    Also using 3 dates coupled with the almonds the sugar is negated.

    Thus leaving a diabetic person like myself from any danger.

    Please use Google in the future people before having a go at this amazing person who has shared such an amazing recipe.

    Reply
    • Kim Nielsen

      May 26, 2020 at 7:14 am

      Thanks for sharing your comment! I am not diabetic myself so I am not into all the facts behind sugar types. Regards Kim (NordicFoodLiving.com)

      Reply
  29. Valerie

    December 15, 2020 at 10:30 am

    Thank you for this recipe, I cannot wait to try it. I went sugar free, apart from birthday cake :-) in June and haven't looked back. Marzipan is such a big part of Christmas so I am pleased I can make them now.
    I also cannot believe the outright criticism about being "sugar free". For me this uses natural ingredients, I am sugar and all types of processed sweetener free. I don't want uber-processed food and it can be hard to find alternatives that are truly sugar + processed sweetener free. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Kim Nielsen

      December 16, 2020 at 6:44 am

      Thanks for you comment on my recipe for marzipan. I'm happy that you can use it. :-) Regards Kim (NordicFoodLiving.com)

      Reply
  30. Elle

    December 20, 2020 at 7:29 pm

    I want to say thank you, im sugar/ glucose intolerant and for me this the perfect recipe xxxx

    Reply
    • Kim Nielsen

      December 21, 2020 at 7:26 am

      You are welcome. I'm glad that you can use the recipe. Regards Kim (NordicFoodLiving.com)

      Reply
  31. Ana

    April 23, 2021 at 8:38 am

    Thanks you for putting this recipe on the internet! It is exactly what I was looking for as we all love marzipan and my son's birthday is coming up. I have removed refined sugar from my diet and I'm trying to remove it from the diet of the rest of my family in a pleasant tasty way. As my son is already not a fan of icing and very sugary sweet cakes, so I always make him a nut-flour based cake with marzipan decoration. Now I know I can make it with dates I am excited to see what tasty things I can create,

    Reply
    • Kim Nielsen

      April 23, 2021 at 12:01 pm

      You are welcome. I hope that you will like the homemade marzipan without refined sugar. :-) Congrats on your son's birthday. Regards Kim (NordicFoodLiving.com)

      Reply
  32. Walter

    May 29, 2021 at 1:13 pm

    I needed Marzipan for my favorite Scone recipe. Most of the recipes I saw used 1.5 C ground almonds + 1.5 C confectioners sugar + 1 egg white. With the 1.5 C sugar, it was not edible. I made your recipe with giant Medjool dates, and voilà! My Almond Scones are filled with Yummy Goodness.

    Reply
  33. Marcie

    October 25, 2021 at 8:25 am

    Great, I am going to use this marzipan recipe for stollen :-)
    Thank you.

    Reply
  34. Jasmine

    March 24, 2022 at 10:42 am

    An amazingly simple and all natural recipe. Thank you for sharing! Had this been called anything but sugar free, I never would have found it on the internet. Dates are the most healthy fruit for consumption and do not spike sugar levels. So all the diabetics out there, go ahead and enjoy a perfectly good and healthy recipe, but make sure as in everything else, moderation is key !!

    Reply
  35. April Hansen

    November 03, 2023 at 10:39 pm

    I was looking for a brown sugar marzipan and Google took me to your marvelous website. The idea of using dates is ingenious. I just made a batch of this marzipan and it is superb. (I did add just a few drops of almond extract.)
    My father's side of the family is Danish so I am looking forward to exploring your website and trying more nordic recipes. Thank you very much!

    Reply
  36. Wendy

    December 18, 2023 at 7:50 pm

    I use date paste for baking all the time; it's wonderful. Can you just use almond flour in this recipe? Thanks for posting this. I can't eat refined sugar, as it's a migraine trigger for me, and besides, it's really not good for me.

    Reply
    • Kim Nielsen

      December 19, 2023 at 9:24 am

      Actually I have never tried this recipe for normal almond flour. I always just make my own flour. But, my best guess would be that it is OK to use almond flour.

      Reply
  37. Christine King

    June 03, 2024 at 4:26 pm

    Thank you for this recipe. I made a batch with equal parts almond flour, date puree and tapioca starch and added vanilla extract because I didn't have almond extract. Delicious!

    Reply

Write me a comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Give my recipe a rating




Primary Sidebar

Owner of Nordic Food and Living
Follow www.NordicFoodLiving.com on facebook

Footer

COPYRIGHT © 2024 - Nordic Food & Living - By Kim Nielsen