Mandelhörnchen (German Almond Horns)
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Popular throughout Germany, these German Almond Horns feature the delicious flavor of almonds and marzipan and a wonderfully chewy texture. This traditional Mandelhörnchen recipe is sure to become a favorite!
What are Mandelhörnchen?
Mandelhörnchen, German for almond horns, are a naturally gluten-free sweet treat made out of marzipan, almond meal and sugar, then rolled in almond flakes and the two ends dipped in chocolate. Popular throughout Germany, you can find them in many bakeries. The ones sold in bakeries are usually larger than these, about double the size. We’re making cookie-sized ones today but you can make them any size you like.
Very easy to make, all you need is some some raw marzipan and the rest of the ingredients are a breeze to throw together. Store-bought marzipan is very expensive and I highly recommend making your own homemade marzipan, not only because it’s vastly cheaper, but also because it tastes much better!
With your marzipan on hand, you’re ready to roll!
You’re going to love both the chewy texture and wonderful flavor of these popular Marzipan Mandelhörnchen!
Mandelhörnchen Recipe
Let’s get started!
Place the marzipan, ground almonds, powdered sugar, almond extract, fresh lemon juice, and egg white in a mixing bowl or in the bowl of a food processor with the paddle attachment in place.
Knead the mixture until it comes together in a thick and tacky, but not overly sticky, dough. If it’s too sticky add a little more ground almonds and/or sugar to it.
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes. This can be made days in advance.
When you’re ready to make the almond horns, break the dough off into pieces and roll them into 1-inch balls. Then roll each ball into a small log, tapering it off so each end is a little thinner.
For my German readers and those familiar with Swabian cuisine, they will resemble Schupfnudeln.
Use a pastry brush to brush egg white all over the cookie dough.
Roll each cookie into the sliced almonds. They don’t have to be completely coated and keep in mind also that the ends will be dipped in chocolate.
Bend each cookie into the shape of a crescent and place them on a lined cookie sheet about an inch and a half apart.
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees. Bake the marzipan almond horns on the middle shelf for 10-15 minutes or until the tips are just starting to turn golden.
Let the Mandelhörnchen cool completely.
Microwave some chocolate chips or chunks of chocolate until melted and then dip each end of the almond horns into the chocolate.
Place the almond horns back on the cookie sheet or other surface to let the chocolate harden.
Store in an airtight container for up to a couple of weeks.
Enjoy!
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Mandelhörnchen (German Almond Horns)
Ingredients
- 8 ounces marzipan
- (click here for easy homemade marzipan recipe!)
- 1 cup blanched finely ground almond flour
- 1 cup powdered sugar sifted
- 1 egg white
- 1/2 teaspoon quality almond extract
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 egg white for brushing
- 1 cup sliced almonds
Instructions
- Place the marzipan, ground almonds, powdered sugar, almond extract, fresh lemon juice, and egg white in a mixing bowl or in the bowl of a food processor with the paddle attachment in place. Knead the mixture until it comes together in a thick and tacky, but not overly sticky, dough. If it's too sticky add a little more ground almonds and/or sugar to it. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes (This can be made days in advance.)
- When you're ready to make the almond horns, break the dough off into pieces and roll them into 1-inch balls. Then roll each ball into a small log, tapering it off so each end is a little thinner.
- Use a pastry brush to brush egg white all over the cookie dough.
- Roll each cookie into the slivered almonds. They don't have to be completely coated and keep in mind also that the ends will be dipped in chocolate. Bend each cookie into the shape of a crescent and place them on a lined cookie sheet about an inch and a half apart.
- The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees. Bake the marzipan almond horns on the middle shelf for 10-15 minutes or until the tips are just starting to turn golden. Remove and let them cool completely.
- Microwave some chocolate chips or chunks of chocolate until melted and then dip each end of the almond horns into the chocolate. Place the almond horns back on the cookie sheet or other surface to let the chocolate harden.
- Store in an airtight container for up to a couple of weeks.
Nutrition
Hi, I’m Kimberly Killebrew and welcome to Daring Gourmet where you'll find delicious originals, revitalized classics, and simply downright good eats from around the world! Originally from Germany, later raised in England, world-traveled, and now living in the U.S., from my globally-influenced kitchen I invite you to tour the world through your taste buds!
I made these and posted on my blog about them! http://www.weirdlittlefrenchcookie.com/chocolate-dipped-marzipan-horns/ – the cookies are fabulous, as is your marzipan recipe, which also couldn’t be easier. I’ve made it with and without the rose water. I think the rose water really gives it some extra ‘brightness,’ for lack of a better term! Thanks again :)
Awesome, thanks so much, Tiffany!!
Marzipan is a total weakness of mine (I have a hard not eating it as-is). These sound wonderful, right up my alley!
Oh, these look so delicious! I am a sucker for anything chocolate & almond, so I know that I would these. :)
Yes!! I just made these the other day using my grandmas recipe. They are a favorite!
Marzipan lovers?!?! Yes, yes – that’s me!! :D These look so wonderful, and your beautiful step-by-step photos make it totally do-able, too! And hey – thanks for the terrific idea of making homemade marzipan! Great idea!!
I love how easy these little treats are to make! Plus dipping them in chocolate makes them ever better!
Oh my goodness, these are absolutely gorgeous!!
Yummy! These look delicious! I love the chocolate dipped on each side!
I’m not that experienced in German desserts, but this one looks delicious! Thanks for sharing!
What gorgeous cookies! I’ve never tried Mandelhörnchen before, but now I definitely want to. You can’t go wrong with almond and chocolate together!
Well, this is pretty funny… I discovered your web site all of two days ago, when I went to make the Seven-layer cookies my family demands at Christmas, only to discover that the tube of Odense Almond Paste I had picked up because I couldn’t find the Solo cans, was 7 oz instead of 8 oz. Its hard enough to spread those layers so thin, so I was a little worried about the lower volume, and googled ‘how to make almond paste’. I ended up here, and low and behold, already had Bob’s Red Mill Almond Flour sitting on my counter. The rest is history: I made up the missing ounce (and then some), but found that what I made was drastically better than anything I had ever bought. Now, I want to find a source for those delicate rosewaters. In the US Neilson Massey is easy to find, but it is VERY strong and overwhelming. But, as if if that wasn’t enough, I just called this site up again, and found Mandelhornchen as the new recipe! Years ago, I visited oceanography colleagues at the Wegener Institut in Bremerhaven, and these cookies were front and center at the local bakery. I asked my German colleagues for a recipe, and was met with total puzzlement: “We have no idea how to make them, we always buy them at the bakery”. Whoa, I’ve already made so many kinds of Christmas cookies that I won’t try these today, but soon! Thank you!
Thanks for sharing, Jan, and I’m so glad you found us – welcome! Thanks for the feedback about store-bought marzipan versus this homemade version. I agree, it tastes MUCH better and is so much cheaper. Double score! You know, I’ve never tried Nielsen Massey’s rosewater (love their vanilla) but have read some reviews along those same lines. I prefer a milder rosewater as well. Thanks again and I hope you get the chance to try the Mandelörnchen and take a walk down memory lane!
I would love to know about the seven layer cookies and have a recipe for them, is that possible
These cookies are too cute! Love them!
These are so pretty and look delicious! Perfect addition to any cookie tray.
I really do love cookies like this. I may need to create a low carb version!
At first I thought these were fancy Vanillekipferl. But then I saw the last picture and the texture. These look SO much better!