Olive Candy Garnish (Tahini Marzipan)

Inspired by Olivette di Sant'Agata, an Italian sweet made with marzipan and liquor, these candy olives are so simple to put together. They’re made with what I’m calling a “mock marzipan” and will remind you of playing with play dough as a child.

Yield: 12-14 olives

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Olive Candy Garnish (Tahini Marzipan)

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp tahini
• ¼ - ⅓ cup powdered sugar, or more as needed
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• A warm green food colouring (I like Wilton’s Moss Green Gel Food Colouring)
• Bay leaves, sage or rosemary for the leaves
• White sugar for rolling, if desired

Instructions

1. In a bowl, add tahini, ¼ cup of powdered sugar, vanilla and salt. With your fingers, rub the mixture together until you get the consistency of play dough. If it’s too loose, add more powdered sugar. If it’s too crumbly and can’t hold the shape of a ball, add a few drops of water until it comes together.
2. Add a small amount of food colouring at a time and continue mixing with your hands until the desired colour is achieved.
3. To create the olives, take a small amount of the dough and press into an olive shape with your fingers until smooth. Add a few bay leaves, or a small sprig of sage or rosemary as olive leaves.
4. If desired, roll a few olives in white sugar. I like the texture and variety this adds.