Zimtsterne (German Cinnamon Stars)
In short: Flourless cinnamon stars of ground almonds and meringue, cut into star shapes, glazed with white meringue and chewy inside. It takes about 52 min in total and makes 20 servings.
- Prep
- 40 min
- Cook
- 12 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 52 min
- Servings
- 20
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 165 kcal
Zimtsterne are small star-shaped Christmas cookies made from ground almonds, cinnamon and meringue, with no flour and no butter. A white meringue glaze dries on top and the inside stays soft and chewy. They are one of the classic Advent cookies in Germany. The dough is sticky, so work on sugar-dusted paper and wet the cutter between cuts.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 150°C (300°F) and line two baking trays with parchment. Beat the egg whites with the salt and lemon juice to soft peaks.
- Add the powdered sugar a spoonful at a time, beating on high until the meringue is stiff and glossy, about 5 minutes.
- Scoop 5 tablespoons of the meringue into a small bowl for the glaze and cover it.
- Fold the ground almonds and cinnamon into the remaining meringue until you have a soft, sticky dough. If it is too wet to roll, add a spoon more almonds.
- Dust a sheet of parchment generously with powdered sugar. Roll the dough 8 mm (1/3 inch) thick. Dip a 5 cm (2 inch) star cutter in water between cuts, cut the stars and set them on the trays. Re-roll the scraps once.
- Brush the tops of the stars with the reserved meringue, right to the edges. Leave them uncovered at room temperature for 1 hour, until the glaze is dry to the touch.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the glaze is set but still white and the stars feel soft. Cool completely on the tray, then store in a tin.
Tips
- Do not overbake. The stars should stay soft inside and the glaze should stay white. Remove them while they still feel slightly springy.
- The egg whites must be free of any yolk or grease, or they will not whip. Use a clean metal or glass bowl.
Questions and answers
Why is the dough for Zimtsterne so sticky?
It is made from meringue and ground nuts with no flour, so it stays soft. Roll it on sugar-dusted paper and wet the cutter between cuts.
Are Zimtsterne gluten-free?
Yes, they contain only almonds, egg whites, sugar and cinnamon. Check your powdered sugar label if you need to avoid all traces of gluten.
How long do Zimtsterne keep?
In an airtight tin they keep about 3 weeks and stay chewy. They freeze for up to 3 months.
How long does it take to make Zimtsterne (German Cinnamon Stars)?
About 52 min in total: 40 min of preparation and 12 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Zimtsterne (German Cinnamon Stars)?
About 165 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 17 g of carbohydrates and 9 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 165 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 17 g |
| Fat | 9 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 14 g |
| Sodium | 8 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
