This mulberry marzipan candy is a Persian sweet known as "Toot". It is super tasty, easy, vegan, gluten free and a no-bake treat made with 5 ingredients. Popular at Norooz (Persian New Year) and other holidays. Classic and healthy makeover recipes.
Other dried fruit goodies we love: Date Bar Cookies and Maamoul (Date filled Cookies).
What is Persian Toot (Mulberry)?
"Toot" is the Persian word for the mulberry fruit. But it is also used to refer to the Persian marzipan confection that is made in the fashion of a mulberry fruit.
It is made with ground almonds, sugar, rose water, cardamom and slivered pistachios. Persian Toot is a "No Bake" treat that even kids would enjoy making.
Below I share with you both the classic and healthy makeover versions.
Marzipan Candy
Since marzipan is so sweet and smooth it is used to make quick and easy no-bake treats by shaping the confection into different forms. Molding them into fruit like shapes is quite popular. And the marzipan fruits are often used to decorate cakes and cookies.
Healthy Makeover: Marzipan Candy (Toot)
So for the healthy makeover of Persian "Toot" (mulberry marzipan candy), I used the "no added sugar" homemade marzipan. I rolled it in almond meal since it is already very sweet.
But I also tried a variation combining dried apricots, dry coconut flakes, orange flower water, honey and dried orange slices.
These colorful treats can be a fun project for your kids. If they are involved in making them, they are going to love these sweet treats with no refined sugar.
Pro Tips
- You will need to add rose water for flavoring, so it is important to limit the moisture content by choosing medjool dates that are not overly moist. The higher grade medjool dates are typically more moist.
- For the confection made with apricots, choose dried fruits that are more moist. Unlike medjool dates, they are often firmer, so it helps to use moister dried apricots and add honey as needed.
- It is traditional to use cardamom to flavor the Persian marzipan candy but you may try cinnamon or other flavors as you prefer.
What is Marzipan Made of?
Marzipan is a popular confection used in European baking. It is made with finely ground almonds, sugar, often with a hint of bitter almond flavor and rose water. As it is very smooth and fondant like, it can be rolled out as thin sheets to cover cakes.
You might think I am biased, but the best marzipan really comes from Germany. And I am a hardcore marzipan fan! One of the marzipan brands I love there is Niederegger Lubeck.
Homemade Marzipan with No Added Sugar
Process equal amounts of fine almond meal and pitted medjool dates measured by weight into a food processer. Add a hint of natural almond flavor and a little bit of rose water and process it into a fine paste.
If needed add a few drops of honey and it will still be "refined sugar free".
More Tasty Treats:
- Luscious Date Chocolate Avocado Truffles
- Amaranth Date Energy Balls with Cashews
- Dark Chocolate Orange Slice Wheels
★ DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? PLEASE COMMENT AND GIVE IT A STAR RATING BELOW!
Persian Mulberry Marzipan Candy (Toot)
Ingredients
Date Marzipan
- 1¼ cups almond meal
- ½ cup dates medjool, pitted
- ½ teaspoon green cardamom ground
- 1 tablespoon rose water
- 1 tablespoon pistachios slivered
Apricot Coconut
- 1 cup coconut flakes dried
- ½ cup apricots dried
- 2 orange slices dried or candied orange
- ½ teaspoon orange zest
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon orange blossom water
- 2 tablespoon white poppy seeds
- 1 tablespoon pistachios slivered
Instructions
Mulberry Marzipan Candy
- In a food processor add 1 cup almond meal, dates, cardamom and process it. Add rose water, little at a time and further process to a soft dough like consistency.
- Add extra almond meal if mixture is sticky. Set aside in refrigerator.
Apricot Coconut Candy Variation
- In a food processor combine the first four ingredients and process it well. Then add the honey and orange blossom water, little at a time and process until smooth.
Shaping the Candies
- Take 1½ teaspoon of the mixture, roll into a ball and form a mulberry (Toot) shape of 1½ inches by tapering one end.
- Roll the date marzipan "Toot" in some almond meal and the apricot coconut version in white poppy seeds.
- Make a slight indentation at the rounded top of the candies and insert a pistachio sliver as a stem.
- Arrange the mulberry marzipan candies on a serving platter and wrap it well. Or store in an airtight container.
Notes
- Classic Mulberry Marzipan Candy (Persian Toot)
-
- 1 cup almond meal (finely ground almonds)
- ½ cup confectioner's sugar
- ½ teaspoon cardamom, ground
- 1 tablespoon rose water
- ¼ sugar (for rolling the candies)
- 1 tablespoon pistachios, slivered
- Follow the instructions as in recipe card above.
- Rose water, orange blossom water and cardamom are available at middle eastern stores or online. Cardamom and white poppy seeds are available at Indian stores and online.
- For rolling the candies you could use ground almond flour, sugar or poppy seeds.
- Check the full blog post above for more tips.
Lisa
I love the way that marzipan can be formed and shaped into so many things. Yours look really beautiful and I'd love to try it. I think this would be great to serve at a special celebration.
Roxana Begum
Yes indeed, easy and nice for a festive occasion. So happy you like it.
Nathan Wyper
These look so good, I had marzipan when I stayed in turkey and was amazed by all the shapes there! great recipe I must recreate!
Roxana Begum
Thanks Nathan for your feedback and sharing your experience.
Bintu
Oh wow what a delicious looking sweet treat! Might have to make these for the kids, they sound so good!
Roxana Begum
Thanks Bintu. Hope you and the kids enjoy it!
Claudia Lamascolo
Oh my what creative fun these are and I love marzipan. These would be a huge hit at any party and delicious too! You are very talented!
Roxana Begum
Thanks Claudia :) That is such a sweet and lovely feedback!
Natalie
I love marzipan, especially when it's homemade! Looks so delicious and colorful! Such a great treat!
Roxana Begum
Thanks Natalie. Me too! Big marzipan fan.
camila
I am SO pinning this!!! I love marzipan and never thought I could make it like this. With dates!! How yum!!!!
Roxana Begum
Thanks Camila. I loved it with the dates :)