Homemade Marzipan Pig for New Years

A marzipan pig is said to bring you luck. Who does not need a big dollop of luck for the new year? Let me show you how to make your homemade marzipan pig which is a perfect gift for your loved ones. Discover the significance of these whimsical pigs in German folklore and what they symbolize for the coming year.

I will show you how to shape your marzipan pig for the new year.

Jump to:

• What is a Marzipan Pig?
• The Origin Story of Marzipan Pig
• Pig Meaning & Symbols
• How to Shape a Marzipan Pig: Step By Step
• Marzipan Pig Tools You Need
• Common Mistakes
• Tips For Shaping Your Marzipan Pig
• Other New Year Traditions in Germany
• More German Marzipan Recipes
• Recipe

What is a Marzipan Pig?

A marzipan pig ("Glücksschwein", "Marzipan Schwein" in German), is a traditional confection and lucky charm often exchanged around the holiday season.

It is traditionally given on New Year's Eve (31 December) or New Year's Day (1 January).

Shaped entirely from marzipan, it serves as a symbol of good luck for the year ahead. Outside of Germany, marzipan pigs are also widely enjoyed in Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and across Scandinavia.

Hint - If you want to learn more about the origins of marzipan, check out my guide on homemade marzipan.

The Origin Story of Marzipan Pig

The origins of marzipan pigs in Germany's gifting traditions are somewhat unclear.

Some suggest the practice dates back to a period when religious slaughter was banned in Germany, prompting wealthy citizens to find new ways to honor and appease the gods. They substituted pork with marzipan, a treat considered a luxury until the 18th century when sugar beet was discovered. Even then, marzipan retained its status as a premium delicacy until the 20th century.

Today, homemade marzipan pigs are a popular gift, but ready-made options are also widely available. One of the most renowned brands is Niederegger, founded in Lübeck and celebrated as one of the world's finest marzipan makers.

Pig Meaning & Symbols

The pig holds strong cultural significance in Germany as it symbolizes good luck. The popular German phrase "Ich habe Schwein gehabt" (literally meaning "I have had a pig") is a cheerful way of saying someone has been fortunate or lucky.

What's more, the pig is also linked to wealth, abundance, and prosperity. Throughout history, pigs have held significant symbolic meaning, dating back to Ancient Greece, where they represented agriculture, abundance, sacrifice to the gods, and fertility (Source). The origin of the pig as a good luck symbol is thought to date back to the Middle Ages. Pigs were easy to feed and reproduce quickly, providing their owners with a reliable source of food and income.

A pig was always deemed as a good investment. A symbol of prosperity so people even trusted their change with a big - Sparschwein (literally translated saving pig - or piggy bank)

In Germany, pigs are often paired with other good luck symbols such as chimney sweeps, ladybugs, four-leaved clovers, red hearts, red mushrooms, golden coins, and horseshoes. These symbols are then exchanged as gifts on New Year's Eve.

How to Shape a Marzipan Pig: Step By Step

Making your own marzipan pig from scratch is simpler than you think. I've broken it down into 5 easy-to-follow steps below.

1. Prepare Your Marzipan: You’ll need approximately one large thumb-sized piece (100 g / 3.5 oz) of marzipan for each pig. Start by combining the almond paste with more powdered sugar to make it more elastic and easier to shape.
2. Add Food Coloring: Apply a small amount of red food coloring directly to the marzipan piece. Remember, a tiny bit goes a long way! Roll the marzipan between your hands to evenly distribute the color. Aim for a smooth and uniform hue.

1. Shape the marzipan into a roll and then slice off half for the body, a quarter for the head, and a quarter for the remaining body parts.
2. Shape the Body: Roll the larger piece of marzipan into an oval shape for the body and the smaller piece into a small ball for the head. Press the head firmly onto the body.

1. Add Legs and Ears: Shape and attach four small cylindrical pieces for the legs. Attach the legs with a dab of water to the body. Cut the legs with a sharp knife so they resemble pig trotters. For the ears, shape two small triangular pieces and attach them to the head.

1. Add the snout and pig's tail: For the snout, shape a small piece of marzipan into a little ball and then press flat with your fingers. Using a toothpick indent the marzipan to make the nostrils. Stick onto the pig's face. To make the pig's tail roll a tin piece of marzipan and then wrap it around the toothpick to create a swirly pattern. Stick it onto the bottom of the pig.
2. Finer details: to make the eyes I simply indented the head with a toothpick. You can also use black sugar pearls if you like.

How to shape the clover

1. Roll the green marzipan into a ball and then press flat with the palm of your hand. Then make four slits. Fold over the sides to shape into leaves.

Once you're happy with the shape, store the marzipan pigs in an airtight container to keep them fresh.

Marzipan Pig Tools You Need

• Marzipan (almond paste) – our main ingredient here to help create the pig's shape. You can prepare it from scratch or opt for ready-made.
• Powdered Sugar - mixing this with the almond paste will make the marzipan more elastic and easier to form.
• Red and Green Food Colouring.- to make the pink marzipan for the pig and the green for the clover.
• Toothpick, chopsticks, or similar sculpting tools – for adding details to the pig's features, such as nostrils, eyes, etc.
• Packaging – such as an airtight container or clingfilm to ensure your completed pig stays fresh and ready to be gifted.

Extra Tip: Instead of shaping your marzipan pig by hand, you can use a mold for a more precise result. Dust the mold with powdered sugar, then gently press the marzipan into it for a clean, smooth finish.

Common Mistakes

• Too Much Food Coloring: Less is always more when it comes to food coloring! Using too much can result in an unnatural color and alter the marzipan’s texture, making it sticky and harder to work with.
• Impatient Approach: Patience is key! Your first marzipan pig will likely be your worst attempt, but practice will quickly improve your skills. This is a forgiving craft, and you’ll see noticeable progress with each attempt.
• Incorrect Storage: Marzipan pigs can dry out and stiffen if left uncovered. Always store them in an airtight container, preferably in the fridge. Keep them away from direct light or heat to preserve their texture.
• Prepping Too Far Ahead: While planning ahead is helpful, shaping your pigs too early can cause the marzipan to dry out. Aim to make them 1 or 2 days before gifting for the best texture and freshness.

Tips For Shaping Your Marzipan Pig

• Cold Hands Are Key: Marzipan is relatively firm, but it's best to handle it with care. Work swiftly and use cold hands to prevent transferring too much heat to the marzipan pig.

• Choose a Non-Stick Surface: Work on a non-stick surface to keep the marzipan from sticking and ensure smoother handling and easier clean-up.

• Go for Homemade Marzipan: If possible, opt for homemade marzipan. This way, you have full control over the ingredients and can ensure they are fresh and to your taste. German Marzipan has a higher almond-to-sugar ratio than the marzipan you can generally get in the UK or USA. So I would recommend making it from scratch for the best quality.

Other New Year Traditions in Germany

Here are some other traditional German foods enjoyed on or around New Year's Eve.

• New Year's Pretzels: A tradition in Southern Germany, these large, soft pretzels are often enjoyed as part of the New Year's breakfast celebration.

• Berliner Donut (German Donut): A popular New Year's treat, these fluffy donuts come with a variety of fillings, which can vary by region.

• German Egg Cocktail: A festive drink enjoyed on New Year's Eve, this smooth cocktail is similar to eggnog but made with egg whites and infused with orange juice.

More German Marzipan Recipes

Recipe