A staple in Frankfurt’s Christmas market, Baked Marzipan Bites are traditional German Christmas cookies that you can easily make at home! Kids and adults would surely love them!
These marzipan cookies are called ‘Bethmännchen’ in Germany. They’re named after a prominent family in Frankfurt, the Bethmänns.
They said that the almonds on top stand for Bethmänns’ four sons. When one of them died, they adjusted the number of almonds on the cookies as well.
Why is the family so special? Well, they cemented their contribution to Germany’s culture when they funded Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s trip to Italy – a critical phase on the life of Germany’s most beloved literary figure.
Enough of the history. 🙂 There is no need for you to travel to Frankfurt to try these Christmas cookies though. You can simply prepare them at home.
HOW TO MAKE GERMAN BAKED MARZIPAN BITES
CAN I USE ALMOND PASTE FOR THESE MARZIPAN COOKIES?
I tried that myself – did not work. This is probably because of the difference in the texture of the paste.
Almond paste is coarser than marzipan, so it’s quite difficult to hold the shape together.
CAN I EAT THESE GERMAN COOKIES WITHOUT BAKING THEM?
Yes, and you should skip the brushing of the egg white as well, when you don’t intend to bake them.
However, if you are using marzipan that’s got eggs in it, I don’t think it’s a good idea to skip baking them.
HELPFUL TIPS ON MARZIPAN COOKIES RECIPE
- You need to use marzipan that is not too wet for these cookies. The heat from the oven will make everything fall apart if you don’t have the right marzipan consistency.
- If you want to use my homemade marzipan, you should not add more than 8 teaspoons of water. More than that will be too soft for this marzipan cookies recipe.
- Cover the rest of the marzipan when you’re rolling them into balls. They tend to dry quickly when left uncovered.
- Place the baking tray on the lower part of the oven to avoid burning the top of the cookies.
HOW TO SERVE BAKED MARZIPAN BITES
These German cookies are great for dessert, snack or any time that you just need something to perk you up.
I don’t think you really have to serve them with anything, but if you must, a cup of coffee or a glass of wine would do the trick. 🙂
IF YOU WANT MORE COOKIE IDEAS, CHECK OUT MY COOKIES COLLECTION!
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If you like almonds, you would LOVE these traditional German Christmas cookies! Enjoy baked marzipan bites for snack, dessert or any time that you just need something to perk you up! (VIDEO ABOVE)
- 2 & 1/2 cups marzipan (about 795 grams)
- 54 pieces almonds, blanched and halved
- 1 egg white, for brushing
- Preheat oven to 225°C (400°F).
- Use a rolling pin to flatten the marzipan into a square (about 18 cm x 18 cm).
- Cut the marzipan into equal portions (about 36 portions or cookies).
- Take a portion and roll it into a ball.
- To assemble the cookie, place three almond halves on top of the marzipan ball, equal space in between, with the pointed side facing the top.
- Place the marzipan cookies on a baking tray lined with a baking sheet. Do this for all the portions.
- Brush each marzipan cookie with egg white.
- Place baking tray in the lower part of the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the top of the cookies has turned golden.
- Let cool and serve.
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