Marzipan vs. Frangipane — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 7, 2024
Marzipan is a sweet, almond-based paste, while frangipane is a creamy almond-flavored filling used in pastries.
Difference Between Marzipan and Frangipane
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Marzipan is primarily made from ground almonds, sugar, and sometimes egg whites, forming a dense, sweet paste often used in confectionery and as icing for cakes. Frangipane, on the other hand, combines butter, sugar, eggs, and ground almonds to create a creamy filling.
While marzipan has a sweet, intensely almond flavor suitable for direct consumption or as a layer in cakes, frangipane's texture is softer and its flavor more subtle, enhancing the overall taste of the pastries it fills without overwhelming.
Marzipan can be colored and flavored to suit various decorative needs, offering versatility in cake decorating. Frangipane, due to its baking-required nature, retains its classic almond flavor and creamy texture, serving as a complement to fruits and pastry crusts.
The processing of marzipan involves a fine grinding of almonds into a paste mixed with sugar, which is then sometimes cooked to achieve the desired consistency. Frangipane's preparation, however, involves creaming butter and sugar, then adding ground almonds and eggs to form a batter, showcasing a fundamental difference in their preparation methods.
Comparison Chart
Base Ingredients
Ground almonds, sugar, egg whites (optional)
Butter, sugar, ground almonds, eggs
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Texture
Dense, smooth paste
Creamy, soft filling
Usage
Confectionery, cake icing, modeling
Baked goods filling (tarts, pastries)
Flavor
Sweet, intense almond
Subtle almond, creamy
Preparation
Mixed and sometimes cooked
Creamed and baked
Compare with Definitions
Marzipan
A confection made from ground almonds, sugar, and egg whites.
She shaped the marzipan into fruits for the dessert table.
Frangipane
Requires baking to set its texture.
The frangipane filling baked to a perfect softness inside the pastry.
Marzipan
Sweet almond paste used as icing for cakes.
The wedding cake was covered with a layer of marzipan before icing.
Frangipane
Often paired with fruit in desserts.
The apricot and frangipane tart was a hit at the dinner party.
Marzipan
A component in some European and Middle Eastern confections.
The chocolates were filled with a rich marzipan center.
Frangipane
A creamy almond-flavored filling in pastries.
The tart was filled with a lush frangipane and topped with pears.
Marzipan
A versatile baking ingredient for sweets and desserts.
Marzipan can be rolled out and used as a cake covering.
Frangipane
Used as a layer in various baked goods.
Her signature pastry featured a frangipane layer beneath the fruit.
Marzipan
Edible decorative shapes made of almond paste.
The marzipan roses added a beautiful touch to the birthday cake.
Frangipane
Enhances flavors in desserts without overwhelming.
The frangipane added a subtle almond note to the croissants.
Marzipan
Marzipan is a confection consisting primarily of sugar or honey and almond meal (ground almonds), sometimes augmented with almond oil or extract. It is often made into sweets; common uses are chocolate-covered marzipan and small marzipan imitations of fruits and vegetables.
Frangipane
Frangipane ( FRAN-jih-pa(y)n, Italian: [ˌfrandʒiˈpaːne]) is a sweet almond-flavored custard used in a variety of ways including cakes and such pastries as the Bakewell tart, conversation tart, Jésuite and pithivier. A French spelling from a 1674 cookbook is franchipane with the earliest modern spelling coming from a 1732 confectioners' dictionary.
Marzipan
A confection made of ground almonds or almond paste, sugar, and sometimes egg whites, often molded into decorative shapes.
Frangipane
Any of various deciduous shrubs or trees of the genus Plumeria, native to tropical America and widely naturalized elsewhere, having milky sap and showy, fragrant, funnel-shaped, variously colored flowers. Also called plumeria, temple tree.
Marzipan
A confection made from a paste of almonds, sugar and egg white as a binder.
Frangipane
A perfume derived from or similar in scent to the flowers of one of these shrubs or trees.
Marzipan
A similar confection made using another nut, such as peanut or hazelnut.
Frangipane
Also fran·gi·pane (frănjə-pān′) A creamy pastry filling flavored with almonds.
Marzipan
(countable) A piece of such a confection.
Frangipane
(uncountable) A cream made from ground almonds used in confectionery
Marzipan
(transitive) To cover with marzipan.
A marzipanned cake
Frangipane
(countable) A pastry filled with this cream
Marzipan
A confection made of almonds and sugar mixed into a paste and molded into shapes. Same as marchpane.
Frangipane
A perfume of jasmine; frangipani.
Marzipan
Almond paste and egg whites
Frangipane
A species of pastry, containing cream and almonds.
Frangipane
Pastry with a creamy almond-flavored filling
Common Curiosities
Are marzipan and frangipane interchangeable?
No, they serve different purposes in baking; marzipan is for decoration and confectionery, while frangipane is a filling.
How is frangipane used in baking?
Frangipane is used as a creamy filling in tarts, pies, and other pastries.
What is marzipan made of?
Marzipan is made from ground almonds, sugar, and sometimes egg whites.
Is almond extract used in marzipan?
Almond extract can be added to enhance the almond flavor in marzipan.
Can you eat marzipan raw?
Yes, marzipan can be consumed raw and is often used as is in confections.
What makes frangipane different from other fillings?
Its creamy texture and almond flavor distinguish frangipane from other pastry fillings.
Can marzipan colors fade?
Yes, colored marzipan can fade over time, especially when exposed to light.
Does frangipane need to be baked?
Yes, frangipane is baked as part of pastries or tarts to achieve its characteristic texture.
Can marzipan be used as a filling?
While primarily used for decoration, marzipan can also be used as a filling in some confections.
Is frangipane vegan?
Traditionally, frangipane contains butter and eggs, but vegan versions can be made with substitutes.
How long does marzipan last?
When stored properly, marzipan can last several months due to its high sugar content.
Is frangipane suitable for all types of pastry?
Frangipane is versatile but best suits open-faced tarts and pastries that allow for baking.
Can frangipane be made without almonds?
Almonds are essential for traditional frangipane, but other nuts can be used for a different flavor profile.
How to store frangipane?
Frangipane should be refrigerated and can be kept for up to a week.
Is marzipan gluten-free?
Yes, traditional marzipan is gluten-free as it is made from almonds, sugar, and egg whites.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
