How To Make Almond Paste With Ground Almonds

You can make almond paste with ground almonds by blending them with sugar, a little liquid, and a touch of almond extract until smooth.
 
It’s a simple kitchen project that turns plain ground almonds into a rich, versatile paste you can use for baking, filling, or snacking straight from the spoon.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to make almond paste with ground almonds at home, you’re in the right place.
 
Store-bought almond paste is convenient but often pricey, and making it yourself gives you control over the sweetness and texture.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through why making almond paste with ground almonds works so well, the exact steps to follow, and how to store and use your homemade batch.
 
Let’s get into it.
 

Why You Can Make Almond Paste With Ground Almonds

Making almond paste with ground almonds works beautifully, and here’s why:
 

1. Ground Almonds Are the Main Ingredient Anyway

Traditional almond paste is essentially ground blanched almonds mixed with sugar and a binding liquid.
 
So when you start with ground almonds, you’re already most of the way there.
 
You’re just skipping the step where whole almonds get ground down, which saves you time and cleanup.
 
That’s why making almond paste with ground almonds is so straightforward.
 

2. The Natural Oils Do the Heavy Lifting

Ground almonds contain natural oils that release as you blend or knead them.
 
Those oils help bind the mixture together and give almond paste its signature smooth, slightly marzipan-like texture.
 
This is why you don’t need much added liquid when making almond paste with ground almonds.
 

3. Sugar and Liquid Complete the Transformation

Sugar adds sweetness and structure while a small amount of liquid, like water, egg white, or syrup, brings everything together.
 
A drop of almond extract deepens the flavor and makes your homemade almond paste taste remarkably close to the store-bought version.
 
Once these elements combine with the ground almonds, you’ve got a proper almond paste on your hands.
 

How to Make Almond Paste With Ground Almonds Step by Step

Here’s the simple process for making almond paste with ground almonds at home:
 

1. Gather Your Ingredients

You’ll need two cups of ground almonds, about one and a half cups of powdered sugar, one egg white (or two tablespoons of water for an egg-free version), a teaspoon of almond extract, and a pinch of salt.
 
That’s it, nothing fancy required for making almond paste with ground almonds.
 

2. Combine the Dry Ingredients

Pulse the ground almonds, powdered sugar, and salt together in a food processor until evenly mixed.
 
If you don’t have a food processor, a sturdy bowl and a good spatula will work, though the texture will be slightly coarser.
 

3. Add the Liquid and Extract

With the processor running, add the egg white and almond extract.
 
Stop and scrape down the sides as needed.
 
The mixture should come together into a thick, slightly sticky dough.
 
If it looks too dry, add water a teaspoon at a time.
 
If it’s too wet, sprinkle in a little more ground almonds.
 

4. Knead Until Smooth

Turn the mixture onto a lightly sugared surface and knead it for a minute or two.
 
This step is where the oils in the ground almonds really activate, giving your almond paste that smooth, pliable finish.
 

5. Shape and Store

Form the paste into a log or ball, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and chill it for at least an hour before using.
 
Chilling helps the flavors meld and makes the paste easier to handle.
 

Tips for Perfecting Almond Paste With Ground Almonds

A few small tweaks make a big difference when making almond paste with ground almonds:
 

1. Use Fresh Ground Almonds

Ground almonds can go stale and rancid over time, so check that yours smell sweet and nutty before you start.
 
Fresh ground almonds give you the best-tasting almond paste.
 

2. Adjust Sweetness to Taste

Start with slightly less powdered sugar than the recipe calls for and taste as you go.
 
You can always add more sweetness, but you can’t take it out.
 

3. Keep the Texture Right

Your almond paste should be firm but pliable, not crumbly and not runny.
 
Adjust with small amounts of ground almonds or liquid until it feels just right.
 

So, How Do You Make Almond Paste With Ground Almonds?

You make almond paste with ground almonds by combining them with powdered sugar, a small amount of liquid, and almond extract until you get a smooth, pliable paste.
 
Ground almonds already contain the oils and texture that traditional almond paste needs, so skipping the whole-almond grinding step works perfectly fine.
 
With the right balance of sweetness, moisture, and a little patience while kneading, homemade almond paste with ground almonds will rival anything you buy at the store.
 
Hope this guide helps you enjoy making almond paste with ground almonds whenever a recipe calls for it.