Almonds are the nuts that are used to make marzipan. Marzipan is a paste made from ground almonds, sugar, and sometimes egg whites, and it is often shaped into various decorative forms and used as a sweet filling or topping for cakes and pastries. The quality of the almonds used is an important factor in the taste and texture of the marzipan. In some cultures, other nuts such as pistachios or cashews are also used to make marzipan, but almonds are the most common.