How To Soften Almond Paste - The Best Way

If you’re a dessert lover, you’ve no doubt had your hands on almond paste at some point. As delicious as it is inside your cakes and chocolates, it’s just as frustrating when it’s still in the tube and hard.

So what is the best way to soften almond paste?

The best way to soften almond paste is to heat it in the microwave or in a double boiler on the stove, slowly and carefully, stirring or kneading constantly until it is back to the perfect texture for you.

However, there is much more to learn about almond paste, so read on to find a variety of alternative ways to soften your paste along with answers to all your almond paste questions.

What is almond paste?

Almond paste is made with ground and blanched almonds and sugar. They are mixed with glycerin, egg whites, cooking oil, heavy cream, or some other liquid. Some bakers also add a little almond or cherry extract for an extra touch of flavor.

Commercial almond paste sometimes incorporates ground apricot or peach pits in an effort to reduce cost , as almonds are quite expensive, especially when compared to what is usually considered a waste product. If you want to know more, you can consult this article.

Almond paste, if not used, stores well, but tends to harden if not stored carefully and perfectly airtight. The sugar crystallizes and must be reconstituted to make the paste usable again.

There are a few ways to turn this dream into reality.

The fastest way to soften almond paste

As with most things these days, it seems like the quickest way to soften almond paste if you’re in a hurry is to use the microwave.

• Take the pasta out of its packaging and place it in a microwave-safe bowl.
• Microwave for no more than 10 seconds at a time and mix the pasta with a whisk or fork each time the bell rings.
• Continue until the paste is smooth again, but stop and try another method if the paste seems to be drying out even more.

Alternative Ways to Soften Almond Paste

• If you are only trying to soften a small amount of almond paste , leave it tightly wrapped and massage it in with your hands, kneading it until it is soft and pliable again. The warmth from your hands will help soften the pasta, but the wrapper will prevent it from sticking to you.
• If the paste is just a bit hard , put it in a warm bowl and add a very small amount of additional liquid, mixing well. If the pasta is homemade, the best option is to use the same liquid that was in the original recipe, such as egg whites or heavy cream. If you’re not sure what was originally used, you can try a few drops of plain cooking oil or just plain water.
• If the entire package is rock hard , put it all in a food processor and chop. The heat from the movement should warm it up enough to soften the small pieces and bring them back together.
• If it is a rather large amount of almond paste, put it in a double boiler and let the heat and steam soften it. If that’s not enough for it to work, you can try adding a little heavy cream or a little milk. Start with very small amounts so as not to overcream the pasta.
• If you don’t have a double boiler , you can try simply putting the paste into a blender or food processor with a little cream or milk and whipping until smooth and the perfect texture for your needs.
• If you have a vegetable steamer , you can line it with parchment paper, place the almond paste on the paper, and steam it to soften again.
• A common softening technique for marzipan , which should work for pasta as well, is to leave the paste wrapped in plastic and wedged between 2 pieces of bread or 2 halves of a cut apple, sealing the entire package in a bag and letting it sit all the way through. the night on your counter.
• One baker even suggests letting the dough sit between the bread for a few days before using it, so it softens perfectly.
• Lastly, you can also try putting a slice of bread inside with the almond paste and letting it sit overnight. The batter should absorb the moisture from the bread to rehydrate itself, much like storing a slice of bread with brown sugar to keep it fresh.

If all softening techniques fail, don’t give up your almond paste just yet.

Crumble it into as small particles as you can and use it as a decadent crumble topping. If it’s not enough to cover something adequately, add some bulk by mixing in some toasted oats or nuts.

Frequently asked questions about almond paste

Below is a list of frequently asked questions about almond paste that we think you should know about. Enjoy filling your brain with knowledge about almond paste!

Is there a difference between marzipan and almond paste?

In the US, yes there is. In the UK they are the same, but in the US marzipan has a higher proportion of sugar and almonds than paste. Typically, paste is a 50/50 ratio, while marzipan is up to 75% sugar.

This makes a difference in texture, so in the US almond paste is used to fill cakes and chocolates, while marzipan is often dyed, spread and used to mold decorative shapes or ice cream cakes.

Is almond flour the same as almond paste?

Almond paste is made by mixing ground almonds, or almond flour, with sugar and a liquid until it becomes a paste.  Almond flour is therefore a main ingredient in almond paste, but they are not the same. 

How can I remove lumps from my almond paste?

If you find that the almond paste is not mixing well with the other ingredients in the recipe, it may be dry, in which case any of the above methods for softening the paste will work.

You can also try using a food processor to mix the pasta with the other ingredients smoothly, if it’s appropriate for the recipe.

Does almond paste need to be refrigerated after opening?

Yes, to preserve the freshness and moisture of the pasta, you must keep the leftovers tightly closed in the refrigerator.

If it comes in a tube with a cap, make sure the cap is screwed on tight. If it is homemade, you can store it in a Tupperware container with an airtight seal.

If you want to be more protective, you can cover the surface with plastic wrap before sealing with the lid.

Does almond paste contain sugar?

Yes. As a rule of thumb, almond paste is 50/50 almonds and sugar , along with egg white and possibly some salt and/or almond extract. To make the dough nice and light and smooth, many bakers choose to use confectioners’ or powdered sugar instead of the traditional white sugar.

Can I freeze almond paste?

Yes, of course you can! The trick is to carefully seal the pasta into single-use portions, depending on what you plan to use in the future . That way you won’t have to worry about defrosting more pasta than you need to use.

To freeze, just put a portion of pasta in plastic wrap and wrap well. If you have more than one package, you can place them all together in a single freezer-safe Ziploc bag. It’s always a good idea to label the bag with the date and serving size.

Does almond paste go bad?

Nuts, as a group, go rancid, but they are also very fatty, which means that under the right circumstances, they keep well for a long time.

If you store the almond paste tightly sealed in the fridge or freezer, it should last at least a year. 

Is there a substitute for almond paste?

The truth is, no. Some people have tried to substitute using cashew or almond butter, but the taste is totally different. You can try mixing equal parts sugar with ground almonds and water until you get a taste you like.

What is almond paste used for?

Almond paste is most commonly used as a filling for desserts such as tarts, cakes, and cookies, but it can also be used to create frostings or sauces for savory dishes with a twist.

Is almond paste gluten free?

Almond paste ingredients are gluten-free, yes, but for it to be truly gluten-free, you need to look for the label stating that the product is made in a gluten-free facility, to ensure there is no cross-contamination. If you make it yourself, you can be sure that your almond paste is gluten-free.

Where can you buy almond paste?

Almond paste can be easily found in most grocery stores and supermarkets. You will most likely find it in the baking aisle. Even department stores with grocery sections carry almond paste, like Walmart, where you can find nut butters and spreads.