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Kransekage: Danish Marzipan Bites with Icing and Berries


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 2 reviews

  • Author: Kalle Bergman
  • Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
  • Yield: Makes 12

Description

A stack of iced marzipan almond cookies, Denmark’s traditional New Year’s treat, made here as individual berry-topped bites instead of the classic tower.


Ingredients

Units

For the Homemade Marzipan

  • 4 oz (115 g) blanched almonds
  • 2 oz (60 g) sugar
  • 1 large egg white

For the Kransekage

  • 4 oz (115 g) fresh marzipan (homemade or store-bought)
  • 2 oz (60 g) sugar
  • 1 egg white

For the Frosting

  • 1/4 cup (30 g) icing sugar
  • 1/2 tbsp water
  • Fresh berries, for garnishing

Instructions

To Make Homemade Marzipan

  1. Blanch the almonds by placing them in boiling water for 1-2 minutes, then removing them to cool. Slip off the skins.
  2. In a food processor, grind the blanched almonds until they become fine crumbs. Add the sugar and pulse until well combined.
  3. Gradually add the egg white and pulse until the mixture forms a smooth dough. If it is too sticky, you can add a little more ground almonds or powdered sugar.
  4. Once smooth, shape the marzipan into a log or ball. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about an hour to firm up.

To Make the Kransekage

  1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk the egg white and sugar until light and fluffy. Fold in the marzipan (homemade or store-bought) and beat until a smooth dough forms.
  3. Roll the dough into a tube, then cut it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a small ball and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
  4. Bake in the preheated oven for 6-8 minutes, or until they turn light golden. Remove from the oven and allow the cakes to cool completely on a wire rack.
  5. Whisk together the icing sugar and water until smooth. Once the cakes have cooled, drizzle or pipe the frosting over each one.
  6. Before the frosting sets, place a single fresh berry on top of each cake for garnish.
  7. Allow the frosting to stiffen before serving.

Notes

  • Whether you make the marzipan from scratch or buy it, you need 4 oz (115 g) either way — homemade needs an hour in the fridge to firm up before you shape it, and the batch below makes a little more than you need, which keeps wrapped in the fridge for a couple of weeks.
  • The oven runs hot on purpose: 450°F (230°C) for just 6 to 8 minutes sets the outside while the center stays chewy, so pull them the moment the edges turn light gold.
  • Let the cookies cool completely on a rack before icing — the frosting needs a cold surface to set, and the berry goes on before the icing does.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 minutes
  • Category: Recipes
  • Cuisine: Danish

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 69
  • Fat: 2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12 g
  • Protein: 1 g