Recipe

Zimtsterne - German Cinnamon Stars

Heavenly Cinnamon Delights: German Zimtsterne Cookies

4.6 out of 5

Indulge in the delightful flavors of German cuisine with these heavenly Zimtsterne cookies. Made with aromatic cinnamon and ground almonds, these star-shaped treats are a beloved holiday tradition in Germany.

Dessert› Cookie› Zimtsterne

European cuisine› German cuisine

Preparation time

20 minutes

Cooking time

12-15 minutes

Total time

35 minutes

Yields

Makes about 24 Zimtsterne cookies

Preparation difficulty

Easy

Suitable for

Vegetarian, Gluten-free (if using gluten-free ground almonds), Dairy-free, Nut-free (if using a suitable substitute for ground almonds), Kosher

Allergens

Tree nuts (almonds), Eggs

Not suitable for

Vegan (contains egg whites), Paleo (contains sugar)

Ingredients

2 cups (200g) ground almonds 2 cups (200g) ground almonds
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 large egg whites 3 large egg whites
1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 cup (120g) powdered sugar, for dusting 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

Calories: 120 kcal / 502 KJ
Fat: 6g (1g saturated)
Carbohydrates: 15g (13g sugars)
Protein: 3g
Fiber: 1g
Salt: 0.01g

Preparation

1.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground almonds, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon.
2.
In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until frothy. Add the egg whites to the almond mixture and mix until a sticky dough forms.
3.
Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4.
Dust a clean surface with powdered sugar and roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1/4 inch (0.6 cm).
5.
Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the cookies and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
6.
In a small bowl, mix the lemon juice with the powdered sugar to create a thick glaze. Brush the glaze over the cookies.
7.
Bake the Zimtsterne for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
8.
Allow the cookies to cool completely before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

Ground almonds — Make sure to use finely ground almonds for the best texture in the cookies.
Lemon juice — Freshly squeezed lemon juice is recommended for the glaze to add a bright citrus flavor.

Tips & Tricks

To prevent the dough from sticking to the cookie cutter, dip it in powdered sugar before each use.
If the dough becomes too sticky to handle, refrigerate it for 30 minutes before rolling it out.
For an extra festive touch, sprinkle some additional ground cinnamon on top of the glaze before baking.

Serving advice

Serve these Zimtsterne cookies as a delightful treat during the holiday season. They pair perfectly with a cup of hot cocoa or mulled wine.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Zimtsterne cookies on a festive platter, dusted with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar. The star shape and glaze will make them visually appealing.