Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-12-20
XMAS GOODIES.
Marzipan, a German Cake, Making Friends
In America.

Marzipan, a German Cake, Making Friends
in America.
Philadelphia Record.
In Germany children have long en-
ioyed the delicaoy known as MARKHAM,
which has only recently become popu-
lar In this country. In Germany this
Is considered a most necessary addition
to the Christmas dainties. According
to their use Of the word, the marzipan
is an almond paste made In this wise:
Blanched almonds are rubbed to
smooth powder with mortar and pestle;
then an equal weight of sugar is added,
with just enough rose water TO mix
smoothly. 1t lie then rolled out like pie
CT ust and cut into various forms.
These are laid upon sheet OF tin
and covered with pam. Hot GOALS ale
spread upon the pan and are kept glow.
ing by repeated fanniog or blowing TIL
| the cakes are nicely Drowned and
thoroughly baked. 1t is long and
tedious process, demanding all the
painstslsing and patience which char
acterize the Germans.
Marzipan in the simple form Is made
at home, but the confectioper displays
his art In most elaborate designs.
| Fruits, flowers and animals of all sorts
are made of this paste, with coloring
matter added. Even portraits in relief
of distinguished people appear in this
same marzIpan.
Although the marzipan takes the
lead among Christmas dainties in Ger
many, honey cakes and pepper nuts
follow closely in popularity We are
told that the German baker must begin
mouths before Christmas time with his
manufacture of honey cake, for without
it a German Christmas would be nc
Christmas ut all. Honey cake is a sort
of second cousin to our gingerbread
and spice cake, but has a mere delicate
flavor as honey is substituted fci
lnolasses.
The chief ingredients are sugar,
honey, spices, almonds and Chocolate
together with butter and -four. 1t II
wonderful to see the almost infinite
variety Of ferns which these ingrsdient'
assume. 1t. is sort OF unendinl
problem in FORMULATION and combina
tion. All the changes are rung OF
honey, spices, chocolate, almonds. B,
varying the flavor, adding a ohocolat,
or a white icing, or adjusting the 10
gradients in different proportions, ,
bew ildering variety results, especial.
as the shapes are so many and various
Every conceivable geometrical form
is brought into requisition, and W
have cakes round and square. rectangu
lar and triangular, conical and rhom
boidal. There are shops opened up il
, the cities with honey cake as the sol
article in stock. Tho window Of one O
these shops sometimes displays. 8
different varieties Of such multifariou
forms as to remind one Of CULVER
, mathematical banquet with the in
habitants of Laputa,
, The pepper nut. which is very simila
to ginger snap, shares the popularit
of ths honey cake. u, .,
! Here is recipe Endorsed by an ex
cellent Hausfrau: -Four pounds -four
two pounds molasses, one pound butter
: two spoonfuls of lard, cinnamon, ginger
: mixed spices, almonds chopped fine
= lemon r,nd and two dessertspoonfuls c
? potash. The molasses, butter and lar'
4 are melted together. The spices an
!, aim ,nds are mixed with the foui
Z Make hole In the centre of the pa
: containing the flour and pour in tn
a syrup when it has cooled slightly. Las
. Of ali dissolve the potash in water an
!. stir into the mixture.