This quick and simple marzipan cake with chocolate chips is made using oil so it's light and fluffy as well as incredibly easy to make. Finish off with a dusting of powdered sugar and enjoy. It tastes so good you'll want another slice!
This simple marzipan cake shows a somewhat unconventional way of using marzipan in baking. But if like me you love this ingredient I am confident you will love this cake.
In traditional recipes marzipan (also called 'almond candy dough') is often used to create a smooth layer of icing encasing the entire cake. This type of cake requires a large amount of marzipan which can be a little overpowering even for marzipan fans.
Why you will love this marzipan cake
- Because the marzipan is added right into the batter this cake is bursting with delicious marzipan flavour even though it contains a fraction of this ingredient used in traditional cakes.
- Because marzipan is very sweet you won't need to add very much sugar.
- I used oil which produces light and fluffy bakes without the need to use an electric mixer. A bowl and whisk will do.
- I also used buttermilk for added moisture and light texture.
- Marzipan and chocolate make a delicious pairing.
- In order to keep the focus on the marzipan a simple dusting of powdered sugar will suffice as decoration.
What is marzipan
Marzipan is a baking ingredient consisting primarily of almond flour (ground almonds) and sugar. Sometimes it also contains egg whites and almond oil or extract for added flavour. It is easy to roll out, cut into chunks or slices, can be added to biscuits and used for icing cakes.
You can buy readymade marzipan, which can be either white or with added colour. I used natural, white marzipan but you can use any in this marzipan cake recipe.
Ingredients
- Marzipan: You need to chop it into chunks a little bigger than your chocolate chunks (see photo below).
- Buttermilk and Oil: Add moisture and help make the cake light and fluffy.
- Milk.
- Eggs.
- Chocolate chunks: Use dark or milk chocolate chunks or chocolate chips.
- Almond extract: Intensifies the almond flavour of this marzipan cake.
- Sugar.
- Flour.
- Baking powder and bicarbonate of soda.
Step-by-step recipe instructions
1.Preheat the oven to 350 F/ 180 C/ gas mark 4. Line the bottom of a 20 cm (8'') spring form pan with parchment paper, lock the sides, lightly grease with oil and dust with flour turning around to coat evenly. Shake out excess flour and set the pan aside.
2. In a bowl combine the flour, baking powder and soda, sugar and salt and stir thoroughly using a whisk. Stir in the marzipan chunks and chocolate chunks ensuring the marzipan pieces are coated evenly. Separate them with your fingertips if needed.
3. In another bowl whisk together the eggs, oil, buttermilk, milk and almond extract until smooth.
4. Pour into the dry mixture and stir just to combine. The batter will be thick.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth out the top using a spatula or the back of a large spoon.
6. Bake in the centre of the oven for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Remove your marzipan cake from the oven and set aside for 15 minutes. Remove the side and leave to cool completely before decorating with the powdered sugar and cutting.
Top tips and FAQs
- I used natural marzipan (store bought) but you can use a coloured variety if you like.
- Once you've added the marzipan pieces into the flour mixture ensure they are evenly coated and do not form clusters. Gently separate the pieces if needed using your fingertips.
- Do NOT overstir the batter (to ensure your cake is fluffy and well risen). Stir just to combine the ingredients. The batter will be thick.
- Cool the cake completely before decorating with the powdered sugar and cutting. It might be a little crumbly if you cut it warm.
- Keep your marzipan cake with chocolate chips covered in a cool place for up to 3 days.
- Freeze (without the powdered sugar) tightly wrapped, or in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Decorate with the powdered sugar after the cake has thawed.
Related recipes
- Lemon Marzipan Muffins
- Almond Redcurrant Cake
- Healthy Fruit Cake Tray Bake with Nuts
- Rooibos Tea Loaf Cake
- Simple Chocolate Coconut Cake (Dairy Free)
Check out also these other healthy dessert recipe ideas.
Keep in touch!
If you make this marzipan cake recipe I'd love to know how it turned out for you? Let me know in the comments below, thanks!
Follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for regular recipe updates! Or you could subscribe to this blog and receive all my latest recipes right into your mailbox!
Recipe
Marzipan Cake with Chocolate Chips
Equipment
- 20 cm/8'' spring-form pan
Ingredients
- 4.59 ounces (130 g) marzipan chopped into small chunks
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose/plain flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
- ⅙ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ cup less 2tsp (90 g) sugar
- ⅗ cup (100 g) dark chocolate chunks or chocolate chips
- ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- ⅔ cup less 2tsp (150 ml) buttermilk
- ¼ cup (60 ml) milk
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- Confectioners sugar/icing sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F/ 180 C/ gas mark 4. Line the bottom of a 20 cm (8'') spring form pan with parchment paper, lock the sides, lightly grease with oil and dust with flour (approx. 1 teaspoon) turning around to coat evenly. Shake out excess flour and set the pan aside.
- In a bowl combine the flour, baking powder and soda, sugar and salt and stir thoroughly using a whisk.
- Stir in the marzipan chunks and chocolate chunks ensuring the marzipan pieces are coated evenly. Separate them with your fingertips if needed.
- In another bowl whisk together the eggs, oil, buttermilk, milk and almond extract until smooth.
- Pour into the dry mixture and stir just to combine. The batter will be thick.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth out the top using a spatula or the back of a large spoon. Bake in the centre of the oven for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown (and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean).
- Remove from the oven and set aside for 15 minutes. Remove the side and leave to cool completely before decorating with the powdered sugar and cutting.
Notes
- I used natural marzipan (store bought) but you can use a coloured variety if you like.
- Once you've added the marzipan pieces into the flour mixture ensure they are evenly coated and do not form clusters. Gently separate the pieces if needed using your fingertips.
- Do NOT overstir the batter (to ensure your cake is fluffy and well risen). Stir just to combine the ingredients. The batter will be thick.
- Cool the cake completely before decorating with the powdered sugar and cutting. It might be a little crumbly if you cut it warm.
- Keep covered in a cool place for up to 3 days.
- Freeze (without the powdered sugar) tightly wrapped, or in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Decorate with the powdered sugar after the cake has thawed.
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is automatically generated and should be considered as an estimate.
**A note about baking: If using a fan-assisted oven refer to your appliance's instructions and adjust the temperature accordingly.
Michelle says
Great recipe! I was thinking just for more almond flavour, do you think the recipe would work using almond flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Monika says
I really can't say without testing it first, but I do know the amount would be different as you can't just substitute one for the other.
Helen Hood says
Made this today, easy to make and absolutely love it. Marzipan and chocolate is a perfect combination.
(I didn't have any buttermilk, but made my own with milk & lemon juice)
Will definitely be making it again
Monika says
Glad it worked with the milk and lemon juice. Thank you for your feedback:)
Deborah P. says
I followed the instructions very carefully, even taking the time to locate full-fat buttermilk. The result looked just like the picture, and the flavor was good, but it was terribly dry. Where could I have gone wrong?
Monika says
Perhaps it was in the oven a bit too long?
Monika says
You are welcome! Glad you enjoyed it:)
Anne says
It’s very easy to make and it’s absolutely delicious
Monika says
Glad you liked it and thanks very much for the feedback:)
Mj spanswick says
I love the idea of cooking with oil rather than butter - it makes it so much easier! I have also tried your lemon & marzipan muffins which were fabulous! Do you have any other cake recipes using oil? Thanks mj
Monika says
Thank you, glad you enjoyed these! Most of my cakes contain oil, try for instance, carrot cake: https://www.everydayhealthyrecipes.com/low-sugar-carrot-cake/ You will find all my cake recipes under Recipes-Sweet Things/Desserts.
Suzy Nutshell says
I had just the right amount of marzipan and bitter chocolate left over from Christmas. Perfect for this recipe. I used kafir yoghurt instead of the buttermilk. It’s a lovely tasty cake without being too sweet. I will be keeping some in a tin and freezing the rest.
Monika says
Glad the kefir worked as well as buttermilk. Thank you for letting me know:)
Kay says
Hi Monika - is the flour plain flour or self raising flour?
Monika says
It's plain flour.
Sarah Cutler says
My family really like this cake - it's delicious! I will be adding it to my favourite cake recipes. Thank you very much.
Monika says
Really glad to hear it, you are welcome! And thank you for letting me know:)
Connie S. says
Hello Monika! Today, January 12, 2021, was National Marzipan Day in the U.S. I have always wanted to try making marzipan so I did using a very simple recipe:http://floursandfrostings.com/easy-homemade-marzipan/
Then I used some to make this cake. I was expecting it too be stodgy but it was fluffy, light and delicious with a slightly crisp top! It was super easy, too! I will definitely make this again. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Monika says
Hi Connie, I am glad you chose this recipe to celebrate National Marzipan Day! Glad you liked it. Really appreciate your feedback:)
priya says
This cake looks amazing 🙂 i have never tried cake with marzipan actually.:)
Monika says
Thank you!
Balvinder says
Hi Monika, I love using almond flour in cakes but haven't tried marzipan yet. I wonder it is available here. The texture of the cake looks really good.
Monika says
Thanks Balvinder. I checked online and walmart sells marzipan candy dough in the US so i am assuming something similar is available in Canada too. I hope you find it:)
Balvinder says
There is Walmart in our city . Will check next month if they carry.. Thanks
Treat and Trick says
Deiicious cake, I wonder how the taste would be after adding marzipan, this is new to me though..
Jhuls says
I really wish I could have a slice right now. 🙂 This sounds very delicious!
Monika says
Thanks! Me too, but it's all gone unfortunately:)
Mandy Mazliah says
This looks so good. I love marzipan and am pretty sure this is a bake my whole family would enjoy x
Monika says
Thank you Mandy! Marzipan really makes this cake and I've got lots leftover which will give me a good excuse to bake something else soon:)
Ginger says
This looks delicious! I love your take on cakes - so healthy! Happy Fiesta Friday!
Ginger x
Monika says
Thank you Ginger! I am always thinking of ways to make everything a little healthier:) Happy FF!