Zimtsterne: German Cinnamon Stars
User Reviews
4.8
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Additional Time
20 mins
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Total Time
50 mins
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Servings
84 cookies
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Calories
34 kcal
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Course
Bread, Baked Goods
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Cuisine
German
Zimtsterne: German Cinnamon Stars
Description
Zimtsterne are delicate German Christmas cookies featuring a dough made from ground almonds, cinnamon, and powdered sugar incorporated into beaten egg whites. The preparation involves carefully folding the dry ingredients into the meringue-like egg white mixture, then chilling the dough to firm it for handling. The dough is rolled out on a powdered sugar–dusted surface to prevent sticking, cut into star shapes, and topped with a smooth meringue icing made from reserved beaten egg whites combined with sugar.
Baking is done at a low temperature of 250º F (120º C), which helps the cookies cook gently without browning too much, preserving a soft texture and ensuring the icing sets without cracking. The result is a slightly chewy cookie with a crisp, sugary top and a fragrant note of cinnamon.
These cookies are typically enjoyed during Christmas in Germany and pair nicely with hot beverages like tea or mulled wine. Their almond and cinnamon flavors make them a festive addition to holiday cookie assortments.
Adjusting the almond flour quantity based on egg white size ensures the right dough consistency, and the meringue frosting should be the right thickness to spread smoothly and set properly without running.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar (sifted, divided in half)
- 2 ½ cups ground almonds (almond flour) up to 3 cups/310 g
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 4 egg white
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250º F (120º C)
- Please see NOTES for best results.
- In a large bowl, combine half of the powdered sugar, the ground almonds and cinnamon and mix until well-combined. Set aside.
- Beat egg whites in bowl with mixer until soft peaks form. Add the other half of the powdered sugar and continue to beat for another 2 or 3 minutes until thick and creamy.
- Remove 1 cup (250 ml) of the beaten eggs and set aside in a covered container (I put it in a condiment dispenser for easy decorating).
- Add the almond mixture to the rest of the egg white mixture and mix well, until a dough forms. It's important to note that due to the amount of egg white varying (size of egg used, etc.) you may need more almond flour to form a dough. Cover and put in the fridge for 20 minutes.
- Place some parchment paper on the counter and sprinkle with powdered sugar, then place the dough on top and shape into a ball, then slightly flatten it.
- Sprinkle some more powdered sugar on top and place another piece of parchment on top.
- Roll out to 1/4" thickness, then cut out star shapes; re-roll the dough, to cut out more until it has been completely used.
- Place on a parchment or silicone sheet lined cookie sheet, then cover the top with the reserved meringue mixture. Using a condiment bottle makes it very simple to decorate the tops of these cookies (and others; see NOTES). Continue until all the cookies are coated in meringue.
- Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, then turn off the oven, open the door slightly and allow to dry out for another 10 minutes or so, before removing from the oven. Place the Zimtsterne on cooling rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Add the lower amount of almond flour first, then increase as needed to form a workable dough based on egg white size variations.
- Ensure the meringue frosting has a flow that spreads smoothly but does not run off the cookies; adjust sugar if necessary.
- Bake at a low temperature to keep cookies tender and prevent excessive browning.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 84cookies
Amount Per Serving
Calories 34 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 2 cookies | |
| Calories | 34kcal | 2% |
| Carbohydrates | 4g | 1% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 2g | 3% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Sodium | 2mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 3mg | 0% |
| Fiber | 0.4g | 2% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 0.1IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 0.001mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 7mg | 1% |
| Iron | 0.1mg | 1% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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