German Marzipan Potatoes (Marzipankartoffeln)

by: Sylvie Fulson  /  Oma Gerhild's daughter-in-law and plant-based cook

German marzipan potatoes (marzipankartoffeln) are VERY popular Christmas treats that also happen to be naturally vegan. They are delicious little candies shaped and dusted to resemble very small potatoes, thus the name!

Jump to recipe ⇣

German marzipan potatoes (Marzipankartoffeln) are an easy traditional Christmas treat made with marzipan and coated in cocoa.

These no-bake German Christmas treats are so quick and easy to make that you can enjoy them any time of the year.

Top Tips for Best Results

• Use homemade marzipan: Since homemade usually tastes better than store-bought, use my easy marzipan recipe as the base for these German marzipan potatoes.
• Make sure to sift the powdered sugar: It’s important to sift the powdered sugar to avoid lumps and ensure a nice smooth dough.
• Add just a little water at a time: If the dough is crumbly and not coming together, make sure you add water just a little at a time. Too much water and the dough will be too sticky. If this happens, add in a little almond flour or powdered sugar. The dough should be nice and smooth, not crumbly or sticky.
• Serve at room temperature: Serve homemade marzipankartoffeln at room temperature for optimal flavor and texture.

Oma Says

Homemade marzipankartoffeln make such a lovely little Christmas gift. They’re easy to make, and tucked into a pretty jar with a ribbon, they look like something extra special. You can even use different coatings for a little variety, as shown below.

They’re wonderful to have ready for a neighbor or friend during the holidays. Fill a small jar with these little “potatoes,” dress it up for Christmas, and you have a delicious treat ready to share.

And, of course, be sure to make enough to keep some at home. These have a way of disappearing quickly!

A jar of homemade marzipankartoffeln, with a few different coating variations, makes a lovely Christmas gift.

From Oma's heart to your table

Complete your set today - order now!

How to Make German Marzipan Potatoes

(Find the printable recipe with measurements in the recipe card below.)

To make this delicious German holiday candy, you will need homemade  or store-bought marzipan, powdered sugar, water, and cocoa powder.

Start by placing the marzipan in a bowl.

Then sift in the powdered sugar.

Knead the marzipan and sugar together…

...until it comes together in a smooth ball.

Put a bit of cocoa powder in another bowl.

Pinch off a small portion of dough and roll it into a small ball (it doesn’t have to be perfectly round) and add it to the bowl. Repeat this process with the remaining dough.

Place a plate or lid (if the bowl comes with one) over the bowl and give it a good shake to evenly coat the balls with the cocoa powder. If needed, place the German marzipan potatoes in a sieve and gently shake to remove any excess cocoa powder.

Enjoy immediately with a cup of coffee or tea, or place in the fridge or freezer for later use.

Storage Tips

• Room Temperature: You can keep marzipankartoffeln in an airtight container at room temperature for several days, if your kitchen is not too warm.

• Fridge: For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for several weeks.

• Freezer: For even longer storage, keep them in the freezer for several months. First freeze them on a baking sheet in a single layer, then transfer them to a freezer bag or airtight container.

Substitutions and Variations

For traditional German marzipan potatoes, use the cocoa powder coating. For something a little different, you could roll the balls in powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, or coconut sugar. Another option is to cover them in a chocolate glaze. Yum!

For a fun twist, you can add some rum or vanilla extract, orange zest, or cinnamon along with the powdered sugar.

Other Traditional German Christmas Treats

Check out these other holiday treats for a traditional German Christmas:

• Vanillekipferl (Vanilla Crescent Cookies)
• Lebkuchen (Gingerbread Bars)
• Bethmännchen Cookies (Marzipan Cookies)
• Nussecken (German Nut Corners)
• Quarkstollen with Marzipan

Print Recipe

German Marzipan Potatoes (Marzipankartoffeln)

These traditional German Christmas candies are super easy and quick to make, which makes them a perfect addition to your holiday platters.

Prep Time:

10 minutes

Total Time:

10 minutes

Servings:

25 pieces

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 homemade marzipan recipe or 7.5 oz (214 g) store-bought marzipan
• ¾ cup (93 g) powdered sugar, sifted
• water, as needed
  
• 1 tbsp (7.5 g) cocoa powder

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Place the marzipan in a bowl.
2. Sift in the powdered sugar.
3. Knead the marzipan and sugar together until it comes together in a nice smooth ball. If the dough is not coming together, add some water – just a little at a time – until you get the right consistency. It should not be crumbly or sticky.
4. Put the cocoa powder into another bowl.
5. Pinch off a small piece of dough and roll it into a ball. It should measure roughly ¾ inch in diameter. Add it to the bowl with the cocoa powder. Repeat with the remaining dough.
6. Place a lid or plate over the bowl and give the bowl a good shake until all the balls are evenly coated with the cocoa powder.
7. Place a few marzipan balls at a time in a sieve and gently shake to remove any excess cocoa powder.
8. Store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge, or enjoy immediately.

*  *  *  *  *

Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

What’s for Dinner?

Let Oma help! Join my Kaffeeklatsch for easy German recipes and a little taste of Germany in your inbox.

 

You’ll also get my free Most Popular Recipes ebook right away.

 

Email address

First name

YES, SEND ME THE RECIPES!

Thanks for joining!

Keep your eyes on your inbox for my email. 

---

Follow Oma on Social Media:

instagramyoutubefacebookpinterest

Comments?  Questions?

You can leave a comment about this recipe or ask a question...

Pop right over to my private Facebook group, the Kaffeeklatschers. You'll find thousands of German foodies, all eager to help and to talk about all things German, especially these yummy foods. 

Meet with us around Oma's virtual table, pull up a chair, grab a coffee and a piece of Apfelstrudel, and enjoy the visit.

Recent Articles

• 
• 

1. Cucumber and Dill Pickle Salad (Gurkensalat mit Gewürzgurken)

   Sep 27, 26 01:04 AM

   
   This cucumber salad with pickles is creamy, crunchy, and full of fresh flavor. It makes an easy side dish that pairs perfectly with your favorite German-inspired meals.

   Read More

2. Cream of Mushroom Soup Recipe – Oma's Champignon-Cremesuppe Rezept.

   Sep 27, 26 12:27 AM

   
   Looking for cream of mushroom soup recipe? Here's a quick one that's so delicious. AND, a super quick one you'll love to make!

   Read More

3. Easy Cream of Celery Soup Recipe – Oma's Selleriesuppe Rezept*

   Sep 26, 26 10:51 PM

   
   This creamy German Cream of Celery Soup recipe makes a wonderful light supper. Serve a salad on the side, some crispy crackers, and fruit to finish, and you'll have a happy and satisfied family!

   Read More

Let's connect...

From Oma's heart
to your table

Complete your set today - order now!

More about me >

Hi, I'm Oma Gerhild! As a food writer and cookbook author, I'm always looking to find ways to pass on my German heritage using local ingredients. Quick and easy. That's my goal. Wunderbar food. That's the result.