With Mother's Day just around the corner, what better way to say 'I love you' than to make these decadent Mozart bonbons for your dear ol' Ma? Two layers of marzipan and one layer of nougat, wrapped up in a coat of silky smooth chocolate, make these exquisite little balls of gorgeousness the perfect Mother's Day gift!
I first discovered Mozartkugeln as a teenager, when I was invited to the home of a German friend one Christmas Eve. It was the most magical, fairytale home I'd ever visited, and it made me want to spend every Christmas in Alsace.
Fast forward to finding fairytale Christmas magic in Slovenia, and with it, the rediscovery of Mozartkugeln. Yay! I also discovered that Mozartkugeln are not actually just Christmas confections - that they are in fact, available all year-round. More yay!
Unfortunately, these little balls aren't always vegan, and the ones which are are often pretty expensive, so guess what? Yep, I make them myself.
While they may take a bit of prep, these bonbons are actually really easy to make. In fact, the most difficult part of making Mozartkugeln is to not actually stuff them in your face as fast as you make them!
What are Mozartkugeln?
Created in 1890 by Austrian confectioner, Paul Fürst, and originally called Mozart-Bonbons, Mozartkugeln consisted of a ball of pistachio marzipan which was surrounded by a layer of nougat, coated in dark chocolate, left to harden, and then wrapped in distinctive blue and silver foil.
Although many others have have copied Fürst's bonbons, his descendants continue to hand-make Mozartkugeln to this day.
Over the years, many confectioners around the world have not only produced Mozartkugeln on an industrial scale, they have also been subject to lawsuits, most notably relating to the name and shape. Legally, aside from Fürst, only one other company - Mirabell - is allowed to make perfectly round Mozartkugeln (the rest must have a flattened bottom), and only Fürst's may be called the Original Salzburg Mozartkugeln.
Why did Fürst name his invention after Salzburg's most famous son? Simple, because he was a fan of the composer, who, during the late 19th century, really wasn't at all popular in his home city!
I would say that I find that bizarre (Mozart, guys, Mozart!) but history is littered with people who weren't truly appreciated until centuries after their deaths... which surely means that by the time Captain Kirk embarks on his five year mission, I'm going to be soooo popular!
**snerkle**
Making Vegan Mozartkugeln
Making these wonderful confections is really just a case of whizzing up some marzipan and nougat, rolling into balls, and dipping in chocolate.
Oh, I should point out that in Germany and Austria, nougat is nothing like the Venetian mandorlato (torrone in Italian) we are all used to - German nougat is a chocolate and hazelnut praline - not that dissimilar to my vegan Nutella.
To make marzipan, I normally use a bit of almond extract to ramp up the delicousness; however, since I had some Foodie Flavours' almond flavouring, I used that instead for these particular Mozarts. It works exceptionally well, and this may actually be the best marzipan I've ever made.
Unless you count the pistachio marzipan I made for these Mozartkugeln. Because y'know, pistachio kind of trumps everything, right?
BTW, did you know that pistachio is a member of the cashew family? And did you also know that if improperly stored, it can spontaneously combust?! Don't worry though, it's only been known to happen when pistachios are stored in bulk, so our pantries are safe.
Phew!
Pistachio marzipan, plain almond marzipan, and chocolate nougat
First roll some pistachio marzipan into a ball, then cover it with chocolate nougat, then a layer of plain marzipan. After that, dip into some melted chocolate, and set aside to harden. A true test of patience!
Mothering Sunday In Britain
In Britain, Mother's Day, or Mothering Sunday, is a Christian celebration held on the fourth Sunday of Lent, when you visit your mother church* for the laetare. Leatare, meaning rejoice, is a welcome relief from the austerity of the first half of Lent.
(*The primary church in a diocese, as opposed to local places of worship, called daughter churches.)
Of course, because everyone flocked to their mother church, Mothering Sunday meant that mothers were reunited with their offspring, who had often left home at an early age to become apprenticed, work as servants, or indeed, enter the church itself.
In later years, young people in service - mainly girls - were given the day off to visit their mothers on Mothering Sunday. Modernisation brought about a decline in Mothering Sunday customs, and by the mid 1930s, they had all but died out.
By the middle of the 20th century, however, thanks to our cousins across the Pond, and a goodly dose of marketing on behalf of those in the British retail industry, Mother's Day as we now know it was in full swing. However, in true Brit fashion, we've taken the best from two completely disparate celebrations, and merged them into one - the American practice of honouring our mothers, and our Christian tradition of breaking the Lenten fast with cake.
Or, in this case, Mozartkugeln.
(My blog, my way!)
Mother's Day In The United States
Unlike in Britain, in the United States, Mother's Day has no roots in Christian tradition; it's all about celebrating and recognising motherhood. We have a woman called Anna Marie Jarvis to thank for the celebration which we have - even those of us not raised in the US - come to know and love.
Throughout history there have been festivals and cults dedicated to motherhood, but in the United States, many mothers who had lost their sons during the Civil War formed peace groups, and in 1868, some of these women, led by Ann Reeves Jarvis (mother of Anna), created the Mother's Friendship Day, which effectively reunited communities torn apart by the war.
Prior to becoming a peace activist during the war, in 1858, Ann set up Mother's Day Work Clubs in five towns across her home county of Virginia to resolve the sanitation and health issues which led to typhoid, measles, and diphtheria epidemics. Ann herself was to eventually lose nine of her thirteen children.
During the civil war, Virginia experienced divided loyalties, which led to the western part breaking away to form a new state, yet Ann encouraged members of the Mother's Day Work Clubs to remain neutral, and focus their efforts on treating the wounded in both Union and Confederacy camps, which were also rife with disease.
After the Civil War, Ann tirelessly worked to have a day of recognition for the work that all mothers do - Mother's Day. We've recently celebrated International Women's Day, and Ann is a woman I believe should be remembered. She really was a remarkable woman, and I urge you to go and read more about her.
Ann died on May 9th 1905, and her daughter, Anna, took up the mantle. Believing that all mothers should be recognised as being...
the person who has done more for you than anyone in the world
she campaigned to have Mother's Day made an official holiday. Her efforts came to fruition on May 10th 1908, with the first official Mother's Day celebration.
On May 9th 1914, nine years after Ann Reeves Jarvis' death, President Woodrow Wilson made Mother's Day a national holiday, to be held on the second Sunday in May. The proclamation states that US flags should be prominently displayed as tribute to all mothers in the US.
While we Brits may have moved away from the ecumenical Mothering Sunday, we have nevertheless been making our mums breakfast in bed ever since American GIs came to our shores during the Second World War, and brought with them, their mum-honouring tradition.
And quite right too!
Even though the majority of lay people don't observe the religious aspect of the celebration, we still adhere to the liturgical calendar, which is why Mother's Day is a moveable feast.
Vegan Mozart Bonbons (Mozartkugeln)
Are...
- sweet
- nutty
- chocolatey
- decadent
- perfect gifts
- gluten-free
- soy-free
- refined sugar-free
- utterly delicious
Whether you have a mother for whom to make these Mozartkugeln, or for someone else - or even keep for yourself (no judging) - I am absolutely certain they will be loved by all.
Enjoy!
📖 Recipe
Vegan Mozart Truffles (Mozartkugeln)
Ingredients
Marzipan
- 150 g flaked almonds
- 3 tablespoon agave nectar
- 10 drops almond extract
- Dash sea salt
Pistachio marzipan
- 50 g flaked almonds
- 100 g raw pistachios (weight after shells have been removed)
- 3 tablespoon agave nectar
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- Dash sea salt
Chocolate nougat
- 150 g hazelnuts
- 25 g raw cocoa butter melted
- 5 tablespoon agave nectar
- 2 tablespoon cocoa powder
- Dash sea salt
Chocolate shell
- 400 g dark chocolate (50-65% cocoa solids)
- 40 g raw cocoa butter
You'll also need:
- some cocktail sticks
- a non-stick baking tray
- silicone baking mat (or non-stick baking parchment)
- food processor
Instructions
Roast the hazelnuts
- Heat your oven to 175C (350F).
- Spread the hazelnuts in a single layer onto a baking tray, and roast for 15 minutes.
Marzipan
- While the hazelnuts are roasting, place the flaked almonds into a food processor or high-speed blender, and process for 3-5 minutes, until the oil begins to be released, and a little of the mixture can be formed into a ball.
- Add the rest of the marzipan ingredients, and process for another 30 seconds, until everything is incorporated.
- Turn out onto a board, and knead for 2-3 minutes, until you have a large, smooth ball. Set aside.
Pistachio marzipan
- As with the plain marzipan, place the flaked almonds and pistachios into the food processor, and process for 3-5 minutes. When you can make a little ball, add the rest of the ingredients, and process for another 30 seconds. Turn out onto a board, and knead until your marzipan is smooth. Set aside.
Chocolate nougat
- By now, the hazelnuts should be done, so place them into the food processor, and melt 25g cocoa butter. Process as before, and then add the rest of the ingredients, and process for another 30 seconds or so, until everything is well-mixed. Turn out onto a board, and knead for 2-3 minutes, until smooth.
Make a Mozart bonbon!
- Pinch off a little piece of the pistachio marzipan, and roll into a ball. Take a slightly larger piece of the chocolate nougat, roll into a ball, and flatten. Wrap this around the pistachio ball. Make a ball from an even larger piece of plain marzipan, flatten, and wrap this around the pistachio-nougat ball. Roll the whole thing around in your palms to ensure there are no seams, and the ball is smooth. (See the images within the post.)
- Repeat until you've used up all the marzipan and nougat.
- Melt together the dark chocolate and 40g of cocoa butter. Once the chocolate has melted, using a cocktail stick, carefully spear a Mozartkugel, and then dip into the chocolate, making sure it's evenly coated. Allow the excess to drip off before placing the bonbon onto a sheet of parchment or baking mat.
- Repeat for the rest of the Mozart bonbons, and set aside in a cool place for a couple of hours for the chocolate to harden.
- Remove the sticks, and enjoy at room temperature.
- These vegan Mozartkugeln will keep in an airtight container for up to 8 weeks.
- 1 cup = US cup = 240 ml
- 1 tablespoon = US/UK = 15 ml
- 1 fl oz = US = 30 ml
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Kate - gluten free alchemist
These look amazing! SO clever and so delicious! x
Nico
Thank you so much, Kate! xx
Choclette
Ah, now I've just posted, I see I've commented not once before, but twice, so three comments from me now - not including this one. But they are all awaiting moderation.
Nico
My hugest apologies, Choclette - I've been moving house, and everything has been put on hold! xx
Choclette
Oh my goodness, I could have sworn I'd already commented on these amazing chocolates of yours Nico. I've been admiring them all over the net. I adore marzipan and pistachio marzipan is exquisite. These look like a lot of effort in the making, but the result is superb. Thanks for sharing them with #WeShouldCocoa.
Nico
If you use a food processor, they really aren't much effort at all - just a bit time-consuming to put together but honestly, I love making things like these (and my sarmale) because it gives me an excuse to sit down and watch a film while I do it... something I rarely have time to do! xx
Choclette
I could have sworn I'd left a comment on these pieces of art before. They look sensational and sound pretty awesome too. I adore both marzipan (especially pistachio marzipan) and nougat so a box of these for me please.
And thanks so much for sharing them with #WeShouldCocoa.
Nico
Are you sure you wouldn't like to have two boxes, Choclette? Y'know, just to be on the safe side! 😉 xx
Claudia
Oh Nico, I adore Mozartkugeln ?. It might be one of the reasons I really want to visit Salzburg. Never thought of making my own. But hey ....I will treat myselg for mothersday with your recipe.
thanks <3
Claudia
Nico
I'd love to go to Salzburg too, Claudia - maybe we'll meet up there one day! xx
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, wow, what a fun treat! Great idea!
Nico
Thank you! xx
Rebecca - Glutarama
I adore marzipan so you had me hook, line and sinker at the image but the history behind these sweets and the facts on Mothering Sunday have had me engrossed in this post so much my teas gone cold hahaha! I will most certainly be making these and I'll tag you in when they're done. Awesome xx #CookBlogShare
Nico
Oh, I'm sorry your tea went cold but I am thrilled you enjoyed the post, Rebecca! Hope you love these as much as we do! xx
Vanessa @ veganfamilyrecipes
What a delicious idea! I love that you made your own marzipan to use in this recipe!
Nico
Thank you! Marzipan is so easy to make - you just have to not scoff the lot as soon as it's done! xx
Choclette
Well what a fascinating post. I knew nothing about the US Mother's Day. I just assumed they were jumping on the bandwagon. As for your Mozart bonbons - just wow! I adore marzipan and would be soooooooooo happy if anyone ever made a box of these for me. They look gorgeous.
Nico
I knew that Mother's Day was an American invention but I'd always been led to believe that the woman who invented it was just overly fond of her mother; for years I had no idea just what an amazing woman was behind the celebration! xx
Corina Blum
I've tried these in the past in Germany and I love them! I am such a big fan of Marzipan and indeed, what could be better than pistachio marzipan? Thank you so much for sharing with #CookOnceEatTwice!
Nico
I agree, pistachio marzipan is so scrummy! xx
Monika Dabrowski
This is definitely a recipe with a wow factor! These treats look marvelous so it's a huge surprise they aren't that difficult to make. And so much history with this recipe too. Thank you for bringing your knowledge and experience to #CookBlogShare:)
Nico
Oh yes, they are really easy to make... which makes them all the more impressive! xx
Kirsty
These look amazing! thanks for sharing #brilliantblogposts
Nico
Thanks Kirsty - hope you like them! xx