Roll marzipan thinner than the dough so it stays tucked inside the star points.
Crisp almond shortbread stars wrap a thin marzipan center, creating a holiday cutout with a soft almond middle.
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Marzipan-Core Almond Star Shortbread Recipe
Follow the tray sizes, portions and baking intervals in the instructions below.
Total time includes hands-on preparation, required chilling or resting, whole-batch cooking, cooling and finishing.
Kitchen tools you’ll need
- mixer
- rolling pin
- parchment
- small star cutter
- baking sheets
Ingredients
US measures are approximate. Gram weights help keep portions consistent; spice weights vary with density.
Instructions
Prepare the ingredients
- Prepare the ingredients: Mix butter and sugar smooth; add flour, almond meal and salt to make a dough.
Shape the cookies
- Shape the cookies: Roll between parchment to 1/4 inch and cut 48 small stars.
Shape the cookies
- Shape the cookies: Cut marzipan with the same cutter for 24 thin centers.
Shape the cookies
- Shape the cookies: Sandwich one marzipan star between two dough stars, pressing the points lightly to seal.
Chill the dough
- Chill the dough: Chill 25 minutes.
Bake and set
- Bake and set: Bake at 325°F (165°C) for 15–18 minutes until the edges barely color; cool on the sheet.
Chef’s Science & Pro Tips
Ingredient science
A small cutter keeps the pointy outline sturdy enough to seal.
Technique & texture
Press around the perimeter gently without flattening the center.
Finishing & serving
Keep the stars pale; the marzipan center can firm if overbaked.
Storage and make-ahead
| Method | How long | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Room temperature | up to 4 days | Airtight at room temperature up to 4 days. |
| Refrigeration | As described | Refrigerate up to 1 week if the room is warm. serve at room temperature. |
| Raw freezing | up to 1 month | Freeze shaped, unbaked stars up to 1 month. bake from frozen with 2 minutes extra. |
| Baked freezing | up to 1 month | Freeze baked stars airtight up to 1 month. |
| Restoring | As described | Thaw sealed at room temperature. avoid reheating the marzipan centers. |
Notes
- Scale ingredients, including US measures, without changing cookie size or oven temperature. Extra trays increase whole-batch time.
Nutrition
Approximate values per portion from the listed ingredient weights divided into 24 equal portions. Includes required fillings and finishes. Brands, unused coatings and actual portion size affect the estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use almond paste?
Firm almond paste can work but is less sweet and softer; chill it before cutting.
Why did the points open?
Seal each point with a light pinch and avoid oversized filling that reaches the edge.
Can I glaze the stars?
A thin lemon glaze can be added after cooling, but the cookies are sweet enough plain.
