Understanding Frangipane Versus Marzipan

Frangipane and marzipan both feature almonds but serve different purposes. Frangipane is a soft, spongey almond filling made from butter, sugar, eggs, and ground almonds, baked within pastries and tarts. Marzipan is a paste of ground almonds and sugar, used as a covering or decoration, not typically baked. The ratio of marzipan to sponge matters significantly - too much marzipan overwhelms the cake and creates textural imbalance. When using marzipan decoratively, it can be painted with edible metallic food paint for an elegant finish. Frangipane provides moisture and almond flavor to bakes, while marzipan adds sweetness and sculptural possibilities.