Cinnamon Cookies {Zimtsterne}

Cinnamon stars, also called Zimtsterne, are a gluten-free delicacy from the German region with a texture deliciously reminiscent of macaroons.

This cookie is particularly popular in the Advent season and delights both old and young.

As a variation of the traditional star shape, we have created cinnamon stars in the form of a tree.

You can use the yolks left over from this recipe to make delicious Linzer cookies with egg liqueur!

🥘 Ingredients

• Egg white
• Vanilla sugar - homemade or store bought
• Confectioner's sugar
• Ground almonds 
• Cinnamon
• Sugar - for dusting the work surface

See the recipe card for quantities.

🔪 Instructions

Step 1

First of all, separate the eggs into two separate bowls.

Either freeze the leftover yolks to use them up later or keep them in the refrigerator for up to one day. This way, you can prepare other delicacies with them!

Preheat the oven to 302 °F (150 °C) top and bottom heat.

In a large mixing bowl, whip the egg whites and vanilla sugar. Gradually sprinkle in the confectioners sugar and beat until stiff.

Take four tablespoons of the stiffly beaten mixture and put it in the fridge. You will need it to coat the cookies.

Step 2

With the help of a wooden spoon, fold the grated almonds and the cinnamon into the beaten egg mixture and knead the cookie dough again briefly with your hands.

We recommend wearing gloves here if you don't want the sticky mixture on your hands.

Step 3

Now cover two baking sheets with baking paper and set them aside. Sprinkle some icing sugar on the work surface and roll out the sticky dough (approx. 5 mm // 0.2 inch).

Now, little by little, cut out little fir trees (or if you decide to go for the stars, stars) and lift them onto the prepared baking sheet lined with baking paper.

Cutting out those little cuties is a very sticky endeavor, so we recommend keeping the gloves.

To make cutting easier, regularly dip the cookie cutter in cold water before cutting. This water coating will prevent the dough from sticking.

Step 4

Knead the dough left over from cutting with two tablespoons of grated almonds and roll it out again to cut out the remaining cookies.

Now you need the whipped egg whites from before. Brush it thinly on the cutout cookies before you put the tray on the middle rack in the oven.

Bake for about 20 minutes and repeat with the remaining cinnamon stars.

Don't be put off by the consistency of the cinnamon fir trees. They will still be a bit sticky after the baking time is up and will harden as they cool. This "slow consolidation" after baking gives them their distinctive texture!

Let the baked cookies cool on the baking sheet, and once cooled, store them in an airtight container lined with parchment paper or a cookie tin that seals tightly.

Enjoy those little delicacies with a lovely homemade beverage like a hot chocolate with rum, a delicious caramel milk or a yummy snowball cocktail!

Happy baking!

Check out these cute gingerbread man cookies, eggless cardamom cookies, or these gluten free peanut butter cookies to boost your Christmas mood!

🍽 Equipment

• Baking tray
• Baking paper
• Cookie cutter - Christmas tree shape or the classic star cookie cutter
• Mixing bowls
• Rolling pin
• Wooden spoon
• Electric mixer

🌡 Storage

Zimtsterne will keep in an airtight cookie jar for about a month if they have not already been nibbled before.

🙋🏻 FAQ

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📖 Recipe

⛑️ Food Safety

• Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

For further information, check Safe Food Handling - FDA.