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Oma's Bethmännchen Cookies

If you love marzipan, you’ll love these bethmännchen, a traditional German Christmas cookie made with marzipan and decorated with almond halves.

These cookies are associated with Frankfurt’s Bethmann family. According to tradition, they were once topped with four almond halves representing the family’s four sons, with three used after one son died.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup (63 grams) powdered sugar
• ¼ cup (33 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg, separated
• 8 ounces (227 grams) marzipan or almond paste, coarsely grated
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) milk
• about 3 ounces (85 grams) almonds, skinned and halved

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a mixing bowl, blend the powdered sugar and flour together. Add the egg white and marzipan.
3. Using a dough hook or your hands, mix until you have a smooth dough.
4. Roll the dough into balls the size of walnuts, using wet hands to keep the dough from sticking. You may need to add an extra couple of tablespoons of flour so the dough isn’t too sticky.
5. Place the cookies on the cookie sheets with about 2 inches in between.
6. Mix the egg yolk and milk together. Brush the mixture on the cookies.
7. Press three almond halves into each cookie with the tips pointing upward.
8. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until lightly golden.
9. Cool cookies on the sheets on wire racks for 5 minutes, then transfer them to the racks to cool completely.

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Updated: August 10, 2026