Bethmännchen - Almond Marzipan Cookies

Ingredients

• 200g (1 ¾ cups) ground almonds 200g (1 ¾ cups) ground almonds
• 100g (1 cup) powdered sugar 100g (1 cup) powdered sugar
• 50g (⅓ cup) all-purpose flour 50g (⅓ cup) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon rosewater 1 teaspoon rosewater
• 1 egg white 1 egg white
• 1 teaspoon almond extract 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 36 whole almonds, for topping 36 whole almonds, for topping

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 80 kcal / 335 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 5g, 0.4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 7g, 6g
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.01g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 160°C (325°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. 2.
   In a large bowl, combine the ground almonds, powdered sugar, and flour.
3. 3.
   Add the rosewater, egg white, and almond extract to the dry ingredients. Mix well until a smooth dough forms.
4. 4.
   Take small portions of the dough and roll them into 2cm (¾ inch) balls.
5. 5.
   Place the balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart.
6. 6.
   Gently press three whole almonds onto the top of each ball.
7. 7.
   Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the cookies turn golden brown.
8. 8.
   Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack.
9. 9.
   Once cooled, store the Bethmännchen in an airtight container to maintain their freshness.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground almonds — Ensure that the ground almonds are finely ground for a smooth texture in the cookies.
• Rosewater — Use a high-quality rosewater to enhance the flavor of the cookies.
• Almond extract — Opt for pure almond extract to achieve a rich almond taste.

Tips & Tricks

• For a festive touch, dust the cooled Bethmännchen with a sprinkle of powdered sugar before serving.
• If you prefer a stronger almond flavor, you can add a few drops of almond extract to the dough in addition to the teaspoon mentioned in the recipe.
• Store the cookies in an airtight container to maintain their freshness and prevent them from becoming too dry.

Serving advice

Serve Bethmännchen alongside a cup of hot tea or coffee for a delightful afternoon treat. They are also perfect for gifting during the holiday season.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Bethmännchen on a decorative platter or in a festive cookie tin. Consider adding a few sprigs of fresh rosemary or a dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant presentation.