Bethmännchen

Marzipan, rose water and almonds - these are the key ingredients for traditional Frankfurt Bethmännchen. Sounds marvellous, doesn't it? For those who don't know them, Bethmännchen are the jazzed up Marzipankartoffeln / marzipan potatoes (Christmas without marzipan is like Lübeck without the Holsten Gate - simply unimaginable for many German) from Frankfurt am Main. In fact, the name Bethmännchen is derived from the Frankfurt Bethmann family and they are a must during the Christmas season. Another typical feature of the Frankfurt marzipan speciality is that exactly three almond halves are pressed into the balls before baking. They give the Bethmännchen their typical appearance and additional crunch. Store them in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

200 g Marzipan, cut into small pieces
100 g Ground blanched almonds
1 Egg
60 g Blanched almond halves
2 tbsp White spelt flour
1/2-1 tsp Rose water
2 tbsp Milk

Cut the marzipan into small pieces and place in a bowl with the ground almonds.
Separate the egg, add the egg white to the marzipan and almonds, put the egg yolk to one side for the glaze. Add the icing sugar, flour and rose water to the marzipan mixture. Use a hand mixer to mix everything together. Then cover and place in the fridge for 1 hour.
At the end of the chilling time, preheat the oven to 170C/340F. Line a large baking tray with baking paper.
Take the dough out of the fridge and with moistened hands, shape the mixture into walnut-sized balls. Place the balls on the prepared tray, place 3 almond halves on each and press down lightly.
Mix the reserved egg yolk with the milk and brush the Bethmännchen with it. Bake in the middle of hot oven for 15-18 minutes until lightly golden brown. If you prefer your Bethmännchen a little darker, leave them in the oven for 3-5 minutes longer.

28 comments:

eileeninmd 12/12/24 12:24: Looks like a yummy treat! Take care, have a great day.
Ivy's Closet 12/12/24 12:59: Such a beautiful presentation! Mine would look like something from a cave woman. Awesome recipe.
DEZMOND 12/12/24 13:15: That is so cute and such a cute plate as well
Tom 12/12/24 13:35: ...a sweet little Christmas treat!
Lola Martínez 12/12/24 14:42: Que rico con todos esos ingredientes maravillosos!
Granny Sue 12/12/24 14:53: I had never heard of this, but sounds so tasty. The Holsten Gate? Need to look that up! Might have a connection to my husband's Holstein name!
Anonymous 12/12/24 16:01: Yummy! -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
Brian's Home Blog 12/12/24 16:17: Those look great and such a pretty presentation!
speedy70 12/12/24 20:17: Un'idea molto golosa e simpatica!!!
Bill 12/12/24 20:31: A nice little treat.
roentare 12/12/24 22:09: Good snack
Citu 12/12/24 23:28: Se ven muy ricos. Gracias por la receta. Te mando un beso.
Lowcarb team member 13/12/24 00:37: I like how you've presented these :)

All the best Jan
Jackie 13/12/24 00:45: I have never tried these but they look delicious! Anything almond is always my favorite. I am going to host a Christmas party and have been looking for some new treat recipes to try. I finished decorating, just had my carpet cleaned, and now I need to tackle food! Thanks for sharing!!!
Lucimar da Silva Moreira 13/12/24 00:50: Suas receitas são deliciosas é de dá água na boca, já quero experimentar bjs.
My name is Erika. 13/12/24 02:54: What cute cookies. Does the rose water make them flowery tasting?
Angie's Recipes 13/12/24 03:42: It did lend the cookies a very mild floral tone, but not overpowering.
Judee 13/12/24 04:30: The flavors in this creative dessert sound wonderful. Marzipan, rose water and almonds are a fabulous combination.
Anonymous 13/12/24 04:54: My mom would love these!
Tandy | Lavender and Lime https://tandysinclair.com
David M. Gascoigne, 13/12/24 12:58: ‘Tis the season for such things.
Cooking Julia 13/12/24 17:13: How cute they are!
Norma2 13/12/24 19:09: A delicious little bite to accompany coffee or desserts during these festive days
Federica Simoni 14/12/24 16:20: ma quanto sono carini!
David 14/12/24 20:31: Hi Angie, Bethmännchen or jazzed up Marzipankartoffeln...easy for you to say! We have had marzipan of course...but never anything that looked this appetizing. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
The Velvet Runway 16/12/24 09:37: These look so cute - a perfect Christmas treat
Julia x
Raymund | angsarap.net 17/12/24 20:45: These little treats are sure to be a festive favorite, and I can imagine them adding a beautiful aroma to the kitchen while baking.
tigerfish 18/12/24 03:30: So precise (3 almond halves), and so cute and festive esp when it is tied to a Christmas tradition.
Anonymous 23/12/24 17:43: I only spent one Christmas in Germany, and I ate as many special treats as I could. But these are one I did not come across! I would love to make these, Angie. David (C&L)