Bethmännchen

Bethmännchen is a delightful Christmas pastry made from marzipan, almonds, powdered sugar, rosewater, flour, and egg. These festive cookies are a holiday favorite, especially in Frankfurt, Germany, where you can find them in many confectioneries around Christmas time. They’re also a star attraction at Frankfurt's Christmas market, one of Germany's oldest, dating back to 1393.

The name "Bethmännchen" comes from the Bethmann family. According to legend, a Parisian pastry chef named Jean Jacques Gautenier created the recipe in 1838 for Simon Moritz von Bethmann, a banker and city councilor. Originally, each cookie had four almonds, one for each of Simon Moritz's sons. After one son passed away in 1845, they started using just three almonds. However, there's a twist to the tale: Simon Moritz had actually passed away in 1826, making the story somewhat of a mystery.

Despite being around for over 150 years, the Bethmännchen recipe and its charming shape have stood the test of time, remaining as delicious as ever.