How to make Marzipan Fruits
By MaryAnn & Kimberly aka The Party Divas

Marzipan fruit is so colorful and versatile that one big batch can serve several functions. You can shape and add it to cakes, cupcakes or serve in decorative paper in a candy box and give as a gift. To decorate with marzipan, you can stack the candy fruit around the base of a candle, or secure them with wooden picks onto a craft form cone or wreath. Don't be surprised if guests pluck off a fruit or two - the almond-flavored candy is an irresistible treat.

Marzipan can be mixed up ahead of time and will keep for several weeks if wrapped in plastic wrap and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Let it come to room temperature before molding fruit.

Tint marzipan with the desired colors of liquid food coloring, kneading it until the color is blended.

Click here for the Marzipan and Glaze Recipe then read the instructions below for how to shape the individual fruits.

• Leaves: Roll green dough to 1/2-inch thickness on waxed paper. Cut dough into leaves using cookie or canapé cutters. Draw leaf indentations using a wooden pick.
• Apples: Shape about 1-1/2 teaspoons red dough into a ball for each apple; gently stretch balls, forming apple shapes. Indent stem ends slightly using a pointed wooden stick. Insert cloves in stem ends. Brush the apples with glaze, if desired.
• Strawberries: Shape about 1 teaspoon red dough into a ball for each strawberry. Shape a rounded point at one end; slightly flatten other end. Indent flattened end slightly using a pointed wooden stick. Combine 2 tablespoons granulated sugar and a few drops of red food coloring, stirring until blended thoroughly and desired color is obtained. Brush strawberries with glaze and roll in red sugar; place strawberries on waxed paper. Shape point on stem end of an equal number of leaves; press point of leaf into each strawberry indentation.
• Cherries: Shape about 1/4 teaspoon red dough into a ball for each cherry. Push 1/4-inch piece of licorice into each cherry for stem. Brush cherries with glaze, if desired.
• Bananas: Shape bananas using about 1 teaspoon yellow dough for each. Push clove into stem end of each banana. Combine 2 tablespoons water, 1 drop green, 4 drops yellow, and 3 drops red food coloring, mixing well. Brush streaks on each banana with mixture.
• Oranges: Shape about 1-1/4 teaspoons orange dough into a ball for each orange. Roll each orange over grater to get rough skin. Insert a clove in each orange for stem.
• Grapes: Shape about 2 teaspoons purple dough into small balls (about 1/8 tsp each) for each cluster. Brush balls with slightly beaten egg white and shape balls into clusters. For each cluster, brush egg white on tem end of 2 leaves; attach to back of each cluster, pressing gently to make grapes and leaves adhere to each other. Allow to dry. Brush grapes with glaze, if desired.

Mary Ann & Kimberly, a mother and daughter team have created their sites ThePartyWorks.com, CakeWorksCentral.com and their newest site HarryPotter-birthday.com to provide a treasure trove of free kids birthday parties, baby showers and cake decorating ideas. They are here to help and will become your celebration destination!