Technically, the 2nd act of Nutcracker takes place in the candy kingdom. Marzipan is a kind of dessert. However, the original French name for the dance, Mirlitons, is an older term for a simple reed or pipe flute, similar to a kazoo. Huh. Puns.
As I said, timeless. The high-pitched trill of the orchestral flutes float up to the stage and seemingly fuel our steps, which are as colorful, bright & perky as our costumes. Tutus & Tea
I always found the Marzipan music,(Dance of the Reed Flutes) in THE NUTCRACKER to be the most treacly and too sweet by far. It could give one diabetes. John Cliff Instagram
Balanchine has a really interesting choreography for this: though the double flutes are written in perfect sync, the dancer are not and the corps is always a step behind the lead. Watch below the brilliant Tyler Peck, making the hard-as-s**t choreography looks like just a piece of marzipan: