Mazapan is a crumbly, sweet, and delicious Mexican candy made with toasted peanuts and powdered sugar. The recipe is super easy to make at home and it makes the perfect gift for peanut lovers or anyone with a sweet tooth!
Mazapán is a Mexican candy made of peanuts and powdered sugar. Processing those two ingredients together results in a crumbly paste that is then formed into round disks, and wrapped in cellophane.
This peanut treat have a chalky and crumbly texture with some peanut bits here and there. When you take a small bite, it will practically dissolve in your mouth and you will first feel the sugar and the peanut taste afterwards.
Mazapanes are always eaten picking bits with your fingers. But since they have a crumbly and fragile texture and will practically fall apart as you try to break it off.
That’s why wrapping them is always a good idea, so you can pickup the crumbs from the paper and enjoy every bite!
This amazing peanut treat can be used also to make other recipes, like Atole de mazapan or agua de mazapan.
Making a homemade version of this Mexican treat takes so little time. Besides, they make the perfect gift for holidays and special occasions!
Ingredients
- Peanuts: You will need toasted, unsalted peanuts. You can also mix in some nuts such as macadamia, almonds, or even pistachios.
- Sugar: Use confectioner’s sugar, also known as powdered sugar. This type of sugar will combine easier with the peanuts. Depending on the type of peanuts you will use, you might need a little more sugar than the recipe ask for.
Did you know? – Peanuts are not actually a true nut, but a legume in the same family as lentils and peas.
How To Make Mazapan Candy
Process: Place 1 1/2 cups of toasted peanuts in a food processor. Run the processor a few times to make a roughly mixture.
Mix: Add the powdered sugar and continue processing in intervals, scrapping the sides and the bottom of the bowl, until a fine powder mixture forms.
Top Tip: If you see the texture is too compact, add more sugar one tablespoon at a time.
Form: Now, place a 3×3 -inch (8x8cm) square of parchment paper on a flat surface and arrange the cookie cutter you’re using on it. Fill the cookie cutter with the peanut mixture.
Using the same spoon, press it down hard to compact well the mixture. Make sure you press really hard!
Unmold: Last, remove the cookie cutter by gently pressing on the sides, not on the middle, little by little until the mold comes out.
Expert Notes
- Do not process the peanuts for too long or they will become oily.
- Don’t hesitate to press hard when forming the little treats, so they will nicely compact and become also easier to remove from the mold and keep its shape.
- If you making this candy with a more elaborated form, use a Q-tip to gently push the compacted mixture out of the mold.
- Can’t find unsalted peanuts? Use salted peanuts, you can wash them, pat dry them, and roast them in the oven to get rid of salt and moisture.
What molds to use?
The traditional Mexican peanut candies have a round shape about the size of an Oreo cookie. You can achieve that shape by using a 2-inch (5cm) round cookie cutter.
But I suggest using your imagination and try other cutters to make different shapes according to the season, here are the ones that comes to my mind:
- Christmas: Stars, Christmas trees, or candy canes.
- Valentine’s Day: Hearts, in various sizes.
- Easter: Flowers, rabbits, and eggs.
- Halloween: Jack-o-lanterns, cats, and skulls.
- Thanksgiving: Turkeys, leaves, and pumpkins.
Recipe Versions
Use this basic recipe to make your own Mexican peanut candy version with these ideas:
- Salty: Use salted roasted peanuts to add a salty kick.
- Textured: Add chopped dark chocolate to the peanut mixture for a crunchy texture. Or finely chop dried cranberries or raisins and add those too.
- Mixed: Use half peanuts and half any other nut you prefer, my favorites are pistachios, almonds, and hazelnuts.
- Chocolaty: Cover some pieces with melted chocolate and allow to harden, then wrap the candies as suggested.
- Coated: Carefully coat the little treats with powdered sugar.
Storage
You can store this Mexican peanut candy at room temperature wrapped in cling film or parchment paper and placing them in an air-tight container for up to 3 weeks.
For storing in the freeze, wrap them tightly with cling film one by one and store up to 4 months.
FAQ
Is Mazapan and marzipan the same thing?
No. Marzipan is a Spanish confectionery made of ground almonds, sugar, and honey. It has a soft texture that allows to shape into figurines or used to decorate cakes. Mexican mazapán on the other hand is made of peanuts, instead almonds, and has a crumbly texture.
Are mazapanes vegan?
Yes. Mazapanes are vegan and gluten-free since they don’t contain any animal or gluten products.
Are mazapanes healthy?
These peanut candies are not considered a healthy treat since they contain a large amount of sugar and fat. However, you can still enjoy them in small quantities and occasionally without any guilt.
What is De La Rosa?
There are some brands that make this candy and export it all over the world, but the most known and loved is certainly “De La Rosa”.
Chances are you’ve seen this Mexican peanut candy before, they’re wrapped in cellophane, have a small rose on top, and you can buy them either individually or in small yellow boxes.
More Mexican Treats
Video
Did you enjoy this recipe? Please, don’t forget to rate it and leave a comment below, I’d love to hear from you! Also, remember that you can share it using the buttons below and follow this blog on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
Mazapan Recipe
Equipment
- 2-inch (5cm) round cookie cutter
- food processor
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups peanuts (unsalted and toasted)
- 1 ⅓ cup powdered sugar (read notes)
Instructions
- Place peanuts in a food processor. Run the processor a few times to make a roughly mixture.
- Add the powdered sugar and continue processing in intervals, scrapping the sides and the bottom of the bowl, until a fine powder mixture forms (read note 1).
- Place a small square of parchment paper on a flat surface and arrange the cookie cutter you’re using on it.
- Fill the cookie cutter with the peanut mixture.
- Using the same spoon, press it down hard to compact well the mixture.
- Remove the cookie cutter by gently pressing on the sides, not on the middle, little by little until the mold comes out.
- Carefully transfer the mazapan onto a serving plate or wrap it if you want to eat it later.
Notes
- You can use up to 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar. Just make sure to add it one tablespoon at time, process, and check the texture.
- Do not process the peanuts for too long or they will become oily.
- Don’t hesitate to press hard when forming the mazapanes, the harder, the compact the treats will be, therefore the easiest to remove from the mold and keep its form.
I never before had thought about anything but buying them, but this evening, I thought there would probably be different ways to use them.. now you have given me the idea of actually making them.. of course, of course you can make them.. thanks for the actual recipe with measurements!
You’re welcome! And if you need ideas to eat them (besides as a sweet snack), look here for my recipes about “agua fresca de mazapán”, “gelatina de mazapan”, and “atole de mazapán”, all are delicious!
Wow….what a wonderful recipe. I love peanuts and these look extremely great treat….
Oh yum! Definitely perfect for peanut lovers. That crumbly texture looks amazing and I love how easily it comes together.
This reminded me of the time my dad went back home with Mazapan, one of his foreign co-worker gave that to him, and I still remember its taste! Thanks for bringing back a good memory! I will surely make this!
I love trying new recipes and these look fantastic. Bookmarking!
I love everything about these. Easy and tasty!
I have never had this before but it sounds so delicious! And so easy to make. I’m definitely going to try this!
So simple, but so amazing! I love these mazapan.
I’ve never heard of these before but they sound super delicious! What a treat :-)
What an easy recipe and looks absolutely delightful. My teens would love these.
We loved these! So easy to make and delicious. Great for a tasty treat.