Mini Marzipan Carrots Recipes

MINI MARZIPAN TREATS

Steps:

• Roll out the marzipan until 3/4 inch thick, using confectioners' sugar to dust the work surface and rolling pin to avoid sticking. Cut into rectangles, about 1 1/2 by 3 inches each, or cut into other shapes.
• Meanwhile, melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler or in the microwave until smooth. Set a rack on a sheet of parchment paper or on a baking sheet. Using two forks, dip each piece of marzipan in the chocolate to cover completely. Transfer to the rack and decorate with pistachios and dried rose petals. Allow to set until firm, about 30 minutes.
• In a food processor, blend the nuts until they're finely ground and just starting to clump together (but don't over-blend them or you'll end up with nut butter). Add the confectioners' sugar, extract, rosewater (if using) and salt; pulse to combine.
• With the motor running, drizzle in the corn syrup and blend to form a dough. It may still look crumbly in the food processor, but if you squeeze it in your hand, it should stick together. (You may find that you don't need all of the corn syrup.) Form the marzipan into a ball or log and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap until ready to use. Store in the refrigerator.

DECORATIVE MARZIPAN CARROTS

Steps:

• Divide orange marzipan into 24 pieces. Using your hands, roll each piece into a carrot shape. Using a paring knife, make crosswise grooves in each carrot.
• On a work surface lightly dusted with confectioners' sugar, roll out green marzipan to 1/4 inch thick. Using a small leaf-shape cookie cutter, cut out 24 leaves. On one side of each leaf, make 1/8-inch-long slices with a paring knife, and gently fan to create a fernlike effect.
• Using a toothpick, make a tiny hole (about 1/4 inch deep) in the top of each carrot. Gently push stem end of each leaf into a carrot with toothpick. Carrots can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper up to 2 weeks.

MINI MARZIPAN CARROTS

Steps:

• With a toothpick, add a dab of food coloring to the marzipan and knead with fingers to combine; continue until desired shade is achieved.
• Shape mounded 1/2 teaspoons of marzipan into 24 balls, and place on a clean work surface. Using your hands, roll each piece back and forth to form a 2-inch log. Using your fingers, shape one end of each log into a tapered point to form a carrot shape. (It needn't be perfect; garden carrots have lumps and bumps.) Use the tip of a skewer or toothpick to make a small hole at the top of the carrot. Using a paring knife, make small grooves across the surface of each carrot in a random design. Carrots can be kept at room temperature, in an airtight container, for up to 1 week.
• When ready to serve, roll carrots in cookie crumbs, lightly brushing off excess, and insert carrot greens into the holes.
• Mini Marzipan Carrots how-to
• Orange-tinted marzipan balls are rolled into carrot shapes on a work surface, then scored with a knife. The marzipan carrots are then rolled in chocolate cookie crumbs and topped with carrot greens or dill to make them look like they're fresh from the garden.