How to Add Color to Marzipan

Marzipan is a dough made from almonds and sugar that is used in baking to make decorative figures or to cover cakes. Since it starts untinted, you will need to go through the steps of coloring marzipan before using it on your baked goods. Coloring marzipan is a hands-on procedure. Since marzipan has the consistency of clay, you can not change the color of the dough by stirring it in.

How to Add Color to Marzipan

1. Prepare marzipan for coloring.
   
   
   • Make or use premade marzipan.
   • Allow the marzipan to come to room temperature so the texture is soft and workable.
   • Knead the dough to prepare it for use. You will only need to do this if the dough seems stiff.
   • Portion off the amount of marzipan you want to color, either in the amount you estimate needing or divided based on the number of colors you will be using.
   • Protect the sweet almond paste dough from drying out. Marzipan dries out easily when left open to the air. Keep the dough moist by covering it with a damp towel or sealed in an air-tight container when you are not using it. If the dough becomes dry and difficult to work with, knead a few drops of water or corn syrup into it.
2. Select your desired color. Choose a food coloring paste in the color you want your marzipan to be. Paste is preferred over liquid food coloring because using liquid can change the texture of the marzipan. It can make the marzipan sticky resulting in a product that is difficult or impossible to use.
   
   
3. Put on latex gloves. Since you will be working with the food coloring with your hands, wearing latex gloves while coloring marzipan will protect your hands from being stained by the dye.
   
   
4. Apply the coloring to the surface of the marzipan with a toothpick. Use a toothpick to dip into the jar and pull out a bit of coloring.
   
   
5. Wipe the coloring off the toothpick and onto the surface of the almond paste.
   
   
6. Knead the marzipan with your hands until the color is consistent. This process may take some time to complete.
   
   

How to Paint Marzipan

1. Shape marzipan prior to painting it.
   
   
2. Allow the marzipan to dry for a few hours once you have covered your cake or formed the decorations you desire. This makes a good surface to paint on, one that is not too moist.
   
   
3. Prepare your color of paint.
   
   
   • Dilute food coloring with water to get the color you want and a thinner consistency.
   • Create softer colors by using powdered food coloring.
   • Lighten the shades even further by adding petal dust to the coloring.
4. Dip a paint brush in the food coloring paint you have just created, and brush it on the marzipan figures.
   
   

• Marzipan
• Food coloring paste
• Latex gloves
• Toothpick
• Paint brush
• Powdered food coloring