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Zimtsterne: German Cinnamon Stars
4.8 from 214 votes

Zimtsterne: German Cinnamon Stars

Zimtsterne, or German Cinnamon Stars, are almond-based, cinnamon-spiced cookies traditionally made during the holiday season. This recipe uses ground almonds mixed with sifted powdered sugar and cinnamon, combined with whipped egg whites to create a dough that is rolled out, cut into star shapes, and topped with a glossy meringue-like frosting. The cookies bake at a low temperature, resulting in a tender, slightly chewy texture with a sweet and spicy flavor perfect for festive treats.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Additional Time
20 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 84 cookies
Calories: 34 kcal
Course: Bread, Baked Goods
Cuisine: German

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

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 250º F (120º C)
  2. Please see NOTES for best results.
  3. In a large bowl, combine half of the powdered sugar, the ground almonds and cinnamon and mix until well-combined. Set aside.
  4. 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.
  5. 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).
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. Sprinkle some more powdered sugar on top and place another piece of parchment on top.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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

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%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 84 cookies

Amount Per Serving

Calories 34

% 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.