The following is a list of things I didn’t have the courage to do last week, but which I retrospectively wish I had:
1. Buy the jug puppy that stared at me with its sad little pet-store-encaged eyes for ten minutes, tail wagging. (I’ll have you know that my metaphorical tail was wagging back just as enthusiastically.) If only my housemate didn’t prefer cats, and my apartment complex allowed pets…
2. Tell the teenager who was sucking on a pink lollypop outside a club at 1am whilst wearing a Supré dress with a cut-out back and an inability to fully cover her bottom that if “porn-star prostitute” was the look she was going for, then she just hit the jackpot.
3. Edit that extremely-long-and-slightly-convoluted previous sentence.
4. See Black Swan. Actually, no, I take that back. Lizzi, I much preferred our coffee-and-supermarket adventure to the original movie-watching plan.
5. Make these raw vegan cocoa-dusted marzipan balls. Because if I’d made these raw vegan cocoa-dusted marzipan balls last week, I’d have been snacking on them for days already. When I think about all the tummy space I’ve wasted recently on pumpernickel bread and carrots, all because these marzipan balls didn’t yet exist… it makes me sad.
This is another extremely quick and easy yet stupendously tasty snack-treat recipe. Those of you who hate marzipan, I understand if you’re averting your eyes right now. (Just remember our deal: I eat the marzipan, you eat the orange-infested desserts.)
Me, though, I love the almond-intense fragrance and flavour of marzipan. I also love the swoon-worthy caramel sweetness of dark agave syrup. In fact, you wouldn’t be entirely wrong if you accused me of searching for recipes that use agave just so I can lick the measuring spoon afterwards.
The original recipe, from The Bee’s Knees Kitchen, suggested either a cocoa dusting or chocolate coating for these marzipan balls. I chose the cocoa-dusting for the following reasons:
a) I felt that the sweetness of the marzipan needed the counterpoint of cocoa’s bitterness.
b) I couldn’t be bothered making a chocolate coating.
c) I still really want that jug puppy.
And now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some antioxidant-endorphin-and-calcium-containing-low-gi-orbs-of-wonder to eat.
P.S. I highly recommend adding a bit more agave to the leftover cacao and cinnamon dusting mixture and eating the now-icing-like creation with a spoon.
Raw Vegan Cocoa-Dusted Marzipan Balls
Makes 10-15, depending on size. Adapted from The Bee’s Knees Kitchen.
- 1 1/4 cups (125g) ground almonds
- 1/4 cup agave syrup
- 1/4 tsp almond essence
- 1 tb cacao powder (use raw cacao if you want this recipe to be 100% raw)
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1. In a small-medium sized bowl, stir together the ground almond, agave, and almond essence. Using damp hands, roll half tablespoons of the mixture into compact little balls. If you can’t resist the urge to lick your fingers occasionally, it’s probably best you wash your hands every now and again. OHS and all.
2. Sift together (I didn’t bother…) the cocoa and cinnamon, then roll the naked marzipan balls in the cocoa so that they don’t have to be ashamed of themselves like that Supré teenager probably should have been. (I know I sound like a grandma, but dear heavens. She really wasn’t much dressed at all.)
3. Store in the fridge. Ta-daa!
{ 88 comments… read them below or add one }
I don’t think I’ve ever had marzipan. It sounds and looks really good!
If you like almonds (and almond extract), you’d hopefully love marzipan! These really are tasty
hehe number 2 had me giggling
Although you can keep the marzipan for yourself
My eyes still hurt from seeing that girl
Oh, and I’m more than happy to hoard these!
Oh yum, homemade marzipan.
I could add some orange oil
.
Victoria, if you do that, I might have to cry.
i haven’t seen the Black Swan, but The King’s Speech is something you definitely need to add to your list. like now.
p.s. i’ve never had marzipan but with chocolate i generally don’t discriminate.
Angela, never fear, I saw The King’s Speech weeks ago. And I can also really recommend 127 Hours, which I honestly didn’t think I’d like at all, but did!
P.S. Not discriminating against chocolate is the best way to go
I LOVE MARZIPAN SO FRIKKIN MUCH HANNAHHHHH. SO MUCHHHHHHH. SOO SOOOO MUUUUUUUCHHHHHHHHHHH.
…and no worries at all; our coffee date (de-caffeinated though it was
) was a delightful way to spend a Sunday afternoon 
We should do it again soon
And if you ask really nicely, I’ll even make you some of these marzipan balls.
I wanna see Black Swan sooooooooo baddddddd!!! And these look AMAZING!!!! I need to have some more marzipan in my life, stat.
I can’t help you get to the movies, but if you have the ingredients for this, I promise it takes 10 minutes max to make them
I love marzipan! Seriously decadent and delicious! These look perfect!
These are wonderfully delicious
I’ve already eaten half the batch!
I LOVE marzipan!! Oh my mouth is watering thinking just about it. I made some very similar raw marzipan for xmas and it didn’t last long
As for Black Swan, some part of me wishes I had not gone to see it. It was FULL ON, very weird and still disturbs me if I think about it for too long. Psychological horror it is. x
Oooh, I’ll have to scour your blog to see if you posted your raw marzipan! I’d love to try another variation
Thank you for your comment about Black Swan! That’s precisely why I decided not to see it – I knew I’d cope while watching it, but I thought I was likely to get freaked out afterwards. Though I am sorry you’ve felt disturbed!
Damn you, now I have to pop into my IGA to grab some snack choccies. Cravings!
I’d apologise, but in all honesty I think everyone should have snack choccies on hand at all times. Therefore your decision is a wise one and, really, I’ve helped you out
Haha, I love number 2 on your list. I always wonder what would happen if I said something like that to someone!
Honestly, Kate, I think I would’ve been knifed if I’d said that to the girl!
Haha t the risk of sounding like soo sooo old, I think that’s the look that a lot of girls are going for. I know because I probably did then too lol. And I really enjoyed Black Swan-gotta love a crazy ballerina!
We’re not old, just sane
And I definitely can’t see you in a dress as cheap-and-tacky as that one was! You’re far too classy for that.
Hubba hubba~they look sooooo luxurious and pretty too! I’ mnot sure if I’ve tried marzipan before~but I sure will try this VERY soon. Promise. <3
*laughs* Thanks Ellie! If you’re unsure about whether you like marzipan/almond extract, you could always leave it out or sub in another extract
I hope you do try them sometime!
First of all…., the marzipan balls look awesome & even though I kinda don’t really like marzipan I’d probably have a crack (or 2) at these, they look great.
Regarding No.2 – I event managed this amazing art showing for this oouubber talented young artist even though her paintings were freaky & weird (but no denying her talent) & she was strictly a jeans & Teeshirt girl……, except for her grand opening…. it was your No. 2 girl. Everyone was embarrassed & she spent the entire evening thinking she was so hot, it was so sad especially because all the snobby art dealers (who surely are used to random artists) freaked out. Go figure. I totally get your sentiments with this one.
Oh my, I know your story is a little bit sad for the artist but I couldn’t help giggling! Why didn’t someone take the poor dear aside and tell her she was ruining her business prospects?! (Unless she had another “business” in mind
) I’ve been thinking that if marzipan proper isn’t your thing, you could easily just swap the almond extract for something else 
Good thinking, in fact I love the look of these babies so much it’s worth doing a bit of tweeking, they look pretty forgiving huh.
Seriously she was a doozie that one, such a shame I agree. Oh well 
Regards to the No. 2 girl – well part of my Event Mgt I help people with their own presentation & right from the beginning she was insistent that she & her mother chose her outfit, she even described it & so I didn’t think another thing of it….. until she walked in, in all her glory with (surprise surprise) no mother in sight
Oh gosh, that makes the story even more funny! When the mother’s away, the daughter will play…
I have to admit… I have never had Marzipan… All I can remember is reading about barley Marzipan doorknobs in Enid Blytons…
Barley marzipan doorknobs? That sounds amazing and magical, and makes me regret never having read Enid Blyton!
Another amazing recipe! It just so happens I have two bags of almond meal in the cupboard right now.
Don’t worry about the Supre girl. She would just swear at you. She thinks she looks great and would think you are jealous. That’s her self protective mechanism.
You will have a puppy one day; when you have a nice yard with soft grass.
Thank you for your puppy-faith Margarent. It actually really does make me feel better
And I think you’re right about the Supre girl. She would’ve sworn at me or beaten me up… I hope you like these if/when you try them!
Hi Hannah,
I am so happy to see that you loved my recipe for Marzipan! It is one of my favorites sweet tooth snacks! And I agree with you, the bitterness of the cacao balances the sweetness of the agave
I would just like to ask you that since you posted my entire recipe, that you would please mention that the recipe is from “the Bee’s Knees Kitchen” in the links above. Where you mention, “original recipe” and “here.” I would really appreciate it since I made several batches to get the recipe correct and would love to get more PR for my blog
Hi Carla! Thank you for popping by! I’m sorry for not mentioning your blog specifically – done and done now
I’m in awe of the more complex desserts on your blog, and knowing how lovely this recipe turned out, I hope to try some others eventually too 
Thank you so much Hannah for helping me spread the word about my blog! I love the photos you took of the Marizpan! I am in the market for a new camera… do you mind telling me which one you use and how you like it?
If you have any questions about any of the recipes, please let me know. I think the Chocolate Strawberry Tart or Sacher Torte will not be too complicated to make and they will fit with your blog’s theme
And they are also super yummy!
You’re more the welcome, but thank *you* for the wonderful recipe! And I’ll definitely be checking out those chocolate recipes in particular
Thank you so much for the comments on my photos, as I don’t feel confident about my photography at all. I use a point-and-shoot Canon Ixus 70, which when I got it (three-four years ago) was thought to be the best of its type. I find that it works brilliantly with digital macro (what I had it set to for these photos) when there’s good light, but it’s not great with low light. I hope that helps!
Oh my- they look tremendous. Just the thing to help you recover from Black Swan (I spent half hiding under my jumper).
Oh gosh, I’m increasingly glad I didn’t go to see Black Swan! I think I’ll stick with my Gene Kelly musicals
This sounds like nothing I’ve ever tried before! I don’t know how I feel about marzipan…I might have to try these to find out
Be brave, Megan, give them a shot! After all: nuts, cocoa, agave… it’s pretty hard to go wrong there, right?
Those look positively amazing!
I saw Black Swan last week … interesting movie.
Thanks Alisa! Hmm, I might wait for the DVD of Black Swan, then I can stop it if it freaks me out
I don’t know if I like marzipan but those sound lovely!
Oh, and I soo need to see the black swan too! Though, I was told to wait for it to go to dvd because it’s kind of disturbing and I get rather squeamish in the move theater.
That’s *exactly* what I just wrote to Alisa, teehee! I’m going to wait for it on DVD so I can watch it with light on, chocolate on hand, and an ability to press “stop” if it’s too much for me
As an orange chocolate and dessert eater/lover, I also ADORE marzipan. These little guys look wonderful!
Kath, you might just be the first person I’ve met who loves both. In other words, well done to you!
I’m sure this would be wonderful to make with Sapphire too 
oh Hannah, these look sooooooo delicious! I really want to see black swan! i really think you should have bought that puppy too – that is my mind speaking here, I want one so badly! loving the agave use, yum!
Heidi xo
Heidi, I still want the puppy so much! The only problem is it would be actually illegal for me to bring it to my apartment, and probably cruel too as it wouldn’t have outside access. But surely it would be happy just to cuddle with me all day?
oh wow! these are so impressive!!
Thank you!
oh my these look amazing! added to the ever growing to make list!
*laughs* I have one of those lists too… it’s ridiculously out of control
I’m glad to make yours longer too 
I quite like marzipan, but not overwhelming marzipan flavour, if that makes sense. These do sound rather delicious. Low GI! And so easy to make. On my recent trip to NZ, I had an amazing swedish marzipan confection called “eco vacuum cleaner”, which I have since discovered are called dammsugare in Swedish- which is a fabulous name. Oh, I want one now. The one I had had delicate gingerbread spicing, it was magnificent.
Louise, that treat sounds AMAZING! Marzipan with gingerbread spices sounds heavenly, heavenly! The marzipan flavour is very faint here… I think because I used almond essence instead of bitter almond, it’s quite subtle
I did think of you when I made the low-gi comment!
A girl after my own heart! I am a marzipan FIEND, I love you times a million for posting this recipe
Aw, thanks Katelyn! I hope these live up to your marzipan fiend criteria
Your ground almond measurement looks like eleven quarters!
Or is the joke on me?
Wahey, well spotted! Thank you O eagle-eyed one! You know how I hate errors in my writing. Space has been inserted
You know, I actually thought it was kind of exciting…11 quarters sounded like quite an awesome amount (although my maths is bad so I really would just have to use the 1/4 cup 11 times!).
I am sad.
No, you’re brilliant. I have a new challenge for us – for the next week, we should measure EVERYTHING in teaspoon increments.
Oh yes!!!! That would be AWESOME!!!!!!!
Man, it’s going to take me a long time to make my oatbran with soymilk in the mornings…
We just watched black swan on the weekend. Very intense and strange film. Very good though! Those look delicious and something I would very easily snack on. Aldi have some truffles out at the moment which are delicious and too easy to eat!
Oh really? You’re my Aldi go-to, which are the good truffles? I’ll be finished these marzipan balls soon, so could justify a bit of a purchase probably
I am very partial to marzipan but would prefer chocolate to cocoa – though I’d prefer someone else did it – and have never liked the idea of almond essence – that is a tad almond flavour too far for me! Am wondering if this marzipan would work in baking such as stollen or choc chip cookies – I know it is not really in tune with raw baking but I have seen some great recipes with marzipan in it.
Hmm, I have no idea! You’ll have to do the experimenting for me in that regard I think (I don’t really have enough of these left to bake with them, and yes, I only made them yesterday…) You could easily leave the almond extract out if you preferred a more subtle almond flavour
Sounds AMAZING! And yet so easy to make! Win-win!
Absolutely! I’m a big fan of easy recipes with quick-and-sweet pay-offs
Those sound pretty delicious, but so does pumpernickel bread. I haven’t eaten that stuff since I was a kid hanging with my grandma. Also, going to see Black Swan this weekend!
And, hi! Life is getting back to normal, and I finally have a chance to read some blogs. Happy to be reading you again
And I’m even happier that you’ve got power again and can get your life back to normal! Felt so sorry for you
You ate pumpernickel with your grandma? That’s hardcore! My (paternal) grandmother would grate a granny smith apple and mix it with sugar for my afternoon tea
Once more, you are the harbinger of food in the form of delicious balls. These sound amazing and simple and I can actually anticipate both the flavour and the texture of all those ground almonds. Funnily enough I am unmoved by agave tastewise, to me it’s just arrestingly sweet, without the depth of honey or golden syrup…but I respect its useful place in the world and its relative good-for-you-ness.
Also: Jug Puppy!!!!!
Yep, it’s the week for delicious balls over here! Teehee… Ah, yes, I forgot to mention that agave is known/used for precisely it’s lack of a unique flavour – it’s meant to be mostly just sweet. However, I have Loving Earth’s Dark Agave, which does have a slight caramel flavour. What brand did you use?
P.S. Jug puppy!!!
Oooooo! balls in the fridge = I like, cause they’re always there when you get home late etc. I might have to indulge this weekend!
I saw Black Swan the other day and it left me a little unsatisfied. But it was entertaining, nonetheless. It is certainly NOT a food film, though..
You’re spot-on there, Lexi – these balls have become my 11pm nightcap
Gosh, it’s amazing how many different opinions of Black Swan I’m reading here!
I HATE marzipan but I love all those ingredients so I’ll have to try them out for sure. They look very reminiscent of my donut holes I bought from Pure Market Express (a raw food delivery company in the US). They use brazil nuts I think…..
Rob, all you’d need to do is leave out the almond extract, or replace it with vanilla or another flavour, and these would just be almond chocolate balls instead of marzipan. Magic!
Oooh, brazil nuts and donut holes! That sounds amazing 
Ok, hold the phone – there are people out there who HATE MARZIPAN?! The nerve!
These look SO very delicious. I assume the almonds should be very finely ground?
I know, Amber, it’s shocking!
But you can see, even from the comments here, that marzipan is not a generally beloved treat. More for us 
Yes, very finely ground. I actually used almond meal instead of grinding my own, so that the mix was quite light and fluffy.
Oh wow, those look incredible. I think I might try these tomorrow if I get time. Hmm nom nom nom
Let me know what you think if you do
Love marzipan & love cinnamon – these have got to be worth making and will add to my slowly growing raw cocoa repertoire. They look really good too.
Thank you! If you love marzipan and cinnamon you’ll surely love these, and they’re so easy to whip together
And I had started thinking I was the only person on the planet who loves marzipan! I am not alone after all. So going to have to make these. Where in Canberra do you get raw cacao?
Don’t worry, there are a few of us marzipan-lovers still left in existence
I actually used normal cacao, but you can get raw cacao at Mountain Creek in Griffith. (This one by Loving Earth.)
OMG!! I LOVE marzipan!!
Those look delicious. I know what some people mean about not liking, when I was a kid, well, technically I still am(l’m 14) I used to hate it till one day I was really hungry and the first thing I saw was my mothers marzipan bar – to this day she doesn’t know I took it, she thinks it went missing lol. Y’ know my dad just bought me six bars!!! And I went to have one, and found two missing lol, so I guess we’re even.
Can’t wait to try them!!
P.s. You should try making madelienes my way – use cupcake cases and 115g for all the ingredients. And for the piece de resistance, passion fruit icing (great on round shortbread biscuits, especially at xmas). To make it use the insides of 1 passion fruit and mix with icing sugar till it tastes like a bowl of heaven!! (icing recipe courtesy of
my mother). Can’t wait!!
Thank you for the passionfruit icing idea, Jasmine! I do love the tanginess of passionfruit. And oh, I wish my dad would buy me lots of marzipan! He didn’t do that even when I was 14
Why haven’t I seen these before?!?!?!?!?!?!
Perhaps the universe decided you needed the inspiration today?