Baby Moses In A Basket - cooking recipe

Ingredients

16 -18 large medjool dates
Marzipan
3 1/2 ounces blanched slivered almonds, ground (slightly 1 or 3 1/2 ounces whole blanched almonds, ground (slightly 1+ cup)
whole blanched almond, ground (slightly 1+ cup)
3 1/2 ounces confectioners' sugar
1/4 teaspoon kfp vanilla extract
3 drops rose water or 3 drops almond extract
1 -2 teaspoon hot water
Garnish
1/4 cup crushed toasted unsalted pistachio nuts (for bunting)
1 -2 whole cloves, as needed
32 -36 coriander seeds (for eyes) or 32 -36 mustard seeds (for eyes)

Preparation

Slit the dates lengthwise and remove the pits.
Grind almonds in food processor until a powder consistency.
With machine running, add sugar, vanilla, rose water / almond extract and 1 tsp hot water.
Mixture should begin to come together in a ball (if not, continue slowly adding hot water, being careful not to add too much or consistency will be too soft).
For each Moses, make a small ball for the head and an oval piece for the body.
Roll the body in the crushed pistachio nuts and attach body to head.
Put Moses in a date and press the date to secure him.
Gently pinch top and bottom of date to make basket shape, if necessary.
Using whole clove, pierce 2 holes in the head.
Place coriander seed or mustard seed in holes to represent Moses' eyes.