Tangy German Poppy Seed Marzipan Cookies with Jam Filling Recipe

Sweet aromas of almond and butter swirl through the kitchen when you bake these delightful German poppy seed marzipan cookies, a traditional treat that captures European baking magic.

Delicate and rich, these cookies blend nutty marzipan with bright fruit preserves in a harmonious dance of flavors.

Each bite promises a tender crumb that melts softly on the tongue.

The poppy seeds add a subtle crunch and earthy notes to the sophisticated cookie.

Generations of bakers have perfected this recipe, passing down techniques that create pure culinary joy.

These cookies shine at afternoon tea, holiday gatherings, or as a special afternoon indulgence.

Roll up your sleeves and let the baking adventure begin with this irresistible German classic.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 48 minutes plus chilling

Calories: 205 kcal

Servings: 22

What’s Inside German Poppy Seed Cookies

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation for tender cookie texture and deep flavor profile.
• Marzipan: Adds luxurious almond sweetness and enhances overall cookie complexity.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates delicate smoothness and subtle sweetness in the dough.
• Salt: Balances flavors and heightens taste perception.
• Almond Essence: Amplifies nutty undertones and aromatic depth.
• Flour: Builds structural integrity and creates classic shortbread crumbly texture.
• Cornstarch: Ensures exceptional softness and delicate cookie consistency.
• Ground Poppy Seeds: Introduces earthy, slightly nutty flavor and distinctive speckled appearance.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and provides richness and structure.

• Butter: Delivers rich, smooth base for delicate piping texture.
• Marzipan: Continues almond flavor profile and adds sophisticated sweetness.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, elegant piping consistency.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity.
• Almond Essence: Reinforces distinctive almond character.
• Vanilla: Adds warm, comforting background note.
• Flour: Provides stable piping structure.
• Ground Poppy Seeds: Contributes visual interest and subtle nutty undertone.
• Egg: Helps create stable, smooth piping batter.
• Milk: Softens batter and adds subtle creaminess.
• Rum: Introduces sophisticated flavor complexity.

• Jam: Provides vibrant fruity center and moisture contrast.
• Rum: Adds sophisticated flavor depth to jam.

Baking Tools for Marzipan Cookies with Jam

• Stand Mixer: Essential for beating butter, marzipan, and creating smooth, well-mixed dough.
• Piping Bag with Star Nozzle: Perfect for creating beautiful, decorative cookie tops with precision.
• Parchment Paper: Crucial for lining baking sheets and preventing cookies from sticking.
• Cookie Cutter: Needed to cut uniform, round shortbread bases.
• Mixing Bowls: Useful for combining dry and wet ingredients separately.
• Whisk: Great for mixing jam with rum and ensuring smooth consistency.
• Rolling Pin: Helps roll out chilled shortbread dough evenly.
• Grater: Helpful for preparing the marzipan.
• Spatula: Assists in transferring and scraping dough.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.

How to Make German Poppy Seed Cookies

• Marzipan Magic Preparation

Soft butter and creamy marzipan dance together in a mixer, blending with powdered sugar and a whisper of almond essence until silky smooth. Crack an egg into this dreamy mixture and fold in a blend of flour, cornstarch, and ground poppy seeds.

• Dough Chill Zone

Wrap the cookie dough in clingy film, shape into a gentle disk, and let it rest in the refrigerator’s cool embrace for two hours, allowing flavors to mingle and develop.

• Piped Cookie Creation

Whip remaining butter and marzipan into a fluffy cloud, kissed with powdered sugar, salt, and aromatic essences. Pipe delicate star-shaped circles onto parchment-lined trays, then give them a quick freeze before a brief dance in a hot oven.

• Shortbread Foundation

Roll out the chilled dough and cut perfect rounds that will become the canvas for your cookie masterpiece. Bake until just kissed by golden warmth.

• Jam-Packed Finale

Once cooled, brush each shortbread base with a rum-infused jam glaze. Crown with the piped cookie tops, pressing gently to create a sweet sandwich of marzipan and poppy seed delight.

Jam Swaps and Marzipan Tips

• Refrigerate the shortbread base for exactly 2 hours to ensure a crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth texture that prevents spreading during baking.
• Use a star-tipped piping bag for elegant, uniform cookie tops that create a professional bakery-style appearance and consistent shape.
• Opt for high-quality fruit preserves like cherry, raspberry, or apricot that complement the nutty marzipan and poppy seed flavors for a sophisticated taste profile.
• Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their delicate texture and prevent sticking.

Serving Poppy Seed Cookies for the Holidays

• Elegant Tea Time Pairing: Serve these delicate German poppy seed marzipan cookies alongside a warm cup of Earl Grey tea or classic chamomile, enhancing the subtle almond and jam flavors.
• Holiday Gift Packaging: Arrange cookies in a vintage tin or decorative box with parchment paper, creating a charming homemade gift perfect for Christmas or special celebrations with friends and family.
• Dessert Platter Showcase: Create a stunning cookie display by arranging these cookies on a rustic wooden board with fresh berries, mint leaves, and a light dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant presentation that elevates their delicate appearance.
• Wine Companion Suggestion: Pair these sophisticated cookies with a sweet dessert wine like Moscato or a light German Riesling, complementing their delicate marzipan and fruity jam notes for a luxurious tasting experience.

How to Keep German Cookies Fresh

• Refrigeration Strategy: Store these delicate cookies in an airtight container, layered between parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep them in the coldest part of your refrigerator for maximum freshness.
• Cookie Shelf Life: Enjoy these marzipan treats within 4-5 days when refrigerated. Their delicate texture and jam filling require careful handling to maintain optimal taste and quality.
• Freezing Technique: Wrap individual cookies or the entire batch in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. They can remain frozen for up to 3 weeks without losing their delightful texture and flavor profile.
• Room Temperature Notes: If serving within 24 hours, store cookies at cool room temperature in a sealed container. Avoid humid environments which might compromise the crisp shortbread base and delicate piped topping.

Sweet German Poppy Seed Marzipan Cookies

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4.6 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 48 minutes plus chilling
• Yield: 22 1x

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Description

Sweet german poppy seed marzipan cookies combine nutty almond paste with fruity jam centers. Delicate pastries from Germany offer rich, complex flavors that delight palates with elegant simplicity.

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Ingredients

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• 350 g (12.3 oz) softened butter
• 500 g (17.6 oz) flour
• 150 g (5.3 oz) marzipan
• 150 g (5.3 oz) finely ground poppy seeds
• 155 g (5.5 oz) powdered sugar
• 2 eggs
• 200 g (7 oz) jam (your favorite flavor)
• 50 g (1.8 oz) cornstarch
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 3 tbsps rum (optional)
• 1–2 tbsps milk
• 1 pinch salt
• 12 drops almond essence

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Instructions

1. Marzipan Butter Blend: Grate marzipan and mix with softened butter until smooth and creamy, creating a uniform base for the cookie dough.
2. Sugar Incorporation: Add powdered sugar, salt, and half the almond essence to the butter mixture, whipping until light and fluffy.
3. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Sift together flour, cornstarch, and ground poppy seeds, ensuring a fine, even texture for the dough.
4. Dough Formation: Integrate an egg into the butter mixture, then fold in dry ingredients to create a cohesive dough. Wrap in cling film, shape into a disk, and refrigerate for two hours.
5. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 190°C and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
6. Piping Mixture Creation: Cream remaining butter and marzipan until smooth. Blend in powdered sugar, salt, remaining almond essence, and vanilla extract.
7. Piping Batter Refinement: Whisk in the second egg, then fold in flour and ground poppy seeds. Add milk and rum to achieve a silky piping consistency.
8. Cookie Shaping: Transfer batter to a star-tipped piping bag and pipe circular designs onto prepared sheets. Freeze for 8 minutes to stabilize.
9. Initial Baking: Bake piped cookies for 10 minutes, maintaining a pale, delicate appearance. Roll out chilled shortbread dough and cut matching rounds.
10. Base Baking: Bake shortbread bases at 175°C for 8 minutes until lightly set. Cool completely.
11. Jam Filling Preparation: Whisk jam with remaining rum to create a glossy, spreadable consistency.
12. Assembly: Spread rum-infused jam on shortbread bases, then gently place piped cookies on top, pressing lightly to secure the delicate sandwich.

Notes

• Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerate the shortbread dough for exactly two hours to develop rich flavor complexity and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
• Precision in Piping: Use a star-tipped piping bag and freeze the piped cookies briefly to maintain intricate design details and ensure crisp, clean edges.
• Rum-Enhanced Flavor: The rum addition isn’t just for moisture; it intensifies the marzipan’s almond notes and adds sophisticated depth to the jam filling.
• Temperature Control Matters: Maintain lower oven temperatures (175-190°C) to preserve the delicate texture and prevent browning, keeping the cookies tender and pale.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: German

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 22
• Calories: 205
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 30 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg