With just two ingredients and minimal effort, you can make these irresistibly delicious German chocolate marzipan bites, known as Marzipankartoffeln, which literally means “marzipan potatoes”, right at home.
They are quick and easy to prepare, not overly sweet, and taste so much better than store-bought marzipankartoffeln!
Made from marzipan and rolled in unsweetened cocoa powder, they get their rustic look and resemble tiny potatoes, which is exactly how they got their name.
My husband is a huge fan of marzipan, and these round little treats are some of his absolute favorites, which is why I make them several times a year. They also make perfect homemade gifts from the kitchen or can be used to decorate cakes like this German marzipan hazelnut cream cake or this German poppy seed marzipan cream cake.
Ingredients used to make this recipe
- 200 g (7.1 oz) homemade marzipan (use this recipe)
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
How to Make Marzipan Potatoes with Homemade Marzipan & Unsweetened Cocoa
Lightly knead the marzipan and shape it into a long roll. Then cut it into small pieces of about 10 g (0.35 oz) , roughly walnut-sized. Alternatively, you can simply break off small pieces and shape them into bite-sized balls between the palms of your hands. With the amount of marzipan mentioned in this recipe, I got about 20 marzipan balls.
Place the unsweetened cocoa powder on a plate, add the marzipan balls, and gently move the plate back and forth until they are completely coated. Then transfer them to a plate.
Use them to decorate a cake, place them in small gift bags or cupcake liners as homemade gifts, or store them in an airtight container in a cool place. Enjoy whenever you like. They will keep for several days, although in our house, they never last that long!
FAQ About Marzipankartoffeln
What are Marzipankartoffeln?
They are small German marzipan bites rolled in cocoa powder and shaped like tiny potatoes. A classic treat, especially popular during the holidays, but enjoyed all year round.
Can I use store-bought marzipan?
When making this recipe, I recommend using my homemade marzipan recipe rather than store-bought marzipan.
If you are using marzipan Rohmasse (raw marzipan), you’ll need to adjust it first. For 200 g (7 oz) Rohmasse, knead in about 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, a few drops of almond oil, and about ½ teaspoon rose water (optional) until it tastes closer to homemade marzipan and has a smooth, pliable texture.
- If the marzipan is too sticky, add a little more powdered sugar.
- If it feels too dry, knead in a tiny bit more almond oil until you reach the right consistency.
German Marzipan Potatoes Recipe (Marzipankartoffeln)
Ingredients
- 200 g (7 oz) homemade marzipan (use this recipe)
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
Instructions
- Lightly knead the marzipan until smooth.
- Shape into a long roll and cut into small pieces (about 10 g / 0.35 oz each), or break off small portions.
- Roll each piece between your palms into bite-sized balls.
- Place cocoa powder on a plate and roll the marzipan balls until completely coated.
- Transfer to a plate. Use for cake decoration, place in gift bags or cupcake liners, or chill and enjoy.
Notes
- When making this recipe, I recommend using my homemade marzipan recipe rather than store-bought marzipan.
- If you are using marzipan Rohmasse (raw marzipan similar to almond paste), you’ll need to adjust it first. For 200 g (7 oz) marzipan raw mass, knead in about 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, a few drops of almond oil, and about ½ teaspoon rose water (optional) until it tastes closer to homemade marzipan and has a smooth, pliable texture.
- If the marzipan is too sticky, add a little more powdered sugar.
- If it feels too dry, knead in a tiny bit more almond oil until you reach the right consistency.
Did you make this German Marzipankartoffeln recipe? I’d love to hear from you! Simply write a review and add rating to it.