marzipan – Sweet Tooth Experiments

Marzipan Pear Chocolate and Almond Cake

I have never previously baked successfully with marzipan but absolutely love the flavour. Now this ingredient is one that you either love or hate. Its weird as I love the taste of marzipan and almond essence, but find plain almonds bland and boring in taste.

Marzipan and Almond clearly makes sense (as Marzipan is made from almonds). When thinking of a flavour combo I automatically through almonds and chocolate. On top of this, I was still to make up and post a pear recipe that I am actually really happy with, and chocolate and pear are a great flavour marriage.

Therefore I experimented with these 4 ingredients and just like I had expected they all work in harmony together.

A very different but satisfying, moreish cake indeed.

Ingredients:

250g butter
250g marzipan
150g sugar
½ tsn almond essence
6 eggs
450g pear
120g dark chocolate
150g self raising flour
120g almond meal
½ tsn ground cinnamon
½ tsn ground ginger
½ tsn ground cloves

Method:

Preheat the oven to 170c degrees and line a 30cm cake tin with baking paper.
Using electric beaters whisk the butter, marzipan and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the almond essence and beat.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating in between each addition.
Place the flour, almond meal, cinnamon, ginger and cloves in bowl and stir until mixed.
Dice up the pear into small pieces.
Cut up the chocolate into small pieces.
Fold the pear and chocolate through the batter.
Fold the flour mix into the batter until just combined.
Pour the mix into the prepared cake tin and bake for 45 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
Leave in the tin for 5 minutes then place on a cooling tray until cold.