Description
Cinnamon Stars, also known as Zimtsterne, are traditional German Christmas cookies made from ground almonds, cinnamon, and fluffy meringue. These gluten-free treats are chewy, aromatic, and beautifully star-shaped, perfect for festive celebrations and gift-giving.
Ingredients
Scale
- 15 ounces sliced almonds (about 4 1/2 cups) – adds nutty flavor and texture
- 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon – provides warm, spicy aroma
- 3 large egg whites, room temperature – creates light, airy meringue
- 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest – balances sweetness with citrus freshness
- 2 1/4 cups confectioners’ sugar, plus more for rolling – sweetens and smooths the dough
Instructions
- Sift the confectioners’ sugar to remove lumps and ensure a smooth texture.
- In a food processor, combine 1/2 cup of the sugar, 10 ounces (3 heaping cups) of the almonds, and the cinnamon. Process until finely ground with a few larger pieces.
- Whip the egg whites in a clean bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining sugar and continue whipping until thick and creamy. Reserve 2/3 cup of this meringue for topping.
- Fold the ground almond mixture and lemon zest into the remaining meringue to form a stiff dough.
- Preheat the oven to 250°F (120°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Roll the dough between two sheets of parchment paper to about 1/4-inch thickness, dusting with confectioners’ sugar as needed.
- Cut out stars using a 3-inch cookie cutter and place them on the prepared sheets. Spread reserved meringue over each cookie and decorate with remaining sliced almonds.
- Bake for 30 minutes until the bottoms are lightly golden and the meringue is crisp. Turn off the oven, open the door slightly, and let the cookies dry for 10 minutes.
- Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Notes
- The dough can be frozen between sheets of parchment for up to 2 weeks.
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 10 days.
- Cookies become chewier over time — a signature of traditional Zimtsterne.
- Dust the dough generously with confectioners’ sugar to prevent sticking during rolling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Fat: 4.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Cinnamon Stars, Zimtsterne, German cookies, holiday cookies, Christmas cookies, almond cookies, gluten-free dessert, spiced cookies