Should I Make Easy Almond Cake With Marzipan Or Almond Paste?

Our answer

Nigella's Easy Almond Cake (from HOW TO BE A DOMESTIC GODDESS) uses a combination of butter and marzipan in the cake, to give a rich taste and texture to the cake, as well as an almond flavour. The marzipan must be at warm room temperature and soft (slightly pliable) for it to be able to blend properly with the butter. If it is too cold it will just be cut up into small lumps by the food processor.

If you live in the UK then almond paste and marzipan are usually the same product. Outside of the UK you need to look for marzipan, as this has a higher ratio of sugar to almonds than almond paste. Unfortunately we have not tried the cake with almond paste, so are unable to advise on whether it would be a suitable alternative.