Description
Zimtsterne Cinnamon Star Cookies are classic German almond-based Christmas cookies with a delicate cinnamon flavor and a light, airy texture. These star-shaped biscuits are perfect for festive celebrations, featuring a tender crumb made from ground almonds and beaten egg whites, and finished with a dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy effect.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 200g ground almonds
- 200g powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 egg whites
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For Dusting
- Extra powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 150°C (300°F) to prepare for baking the cookies at a low temperature for a gentle bake.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, combine ground almonds, powdered sugar, and ground cinnamon thoroughly to create the fragrant almond-cinnamon base for the cookies.
- Beat Egg Whites: In a separate clean bowl, beat the egg whites with lemon juice until stiff peaks form. This will give the cookies their characteristic light and airy texture.
- Combine Mixtures: Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the almond mixture, being careful not to deflate the egg whites, resulting in a soft dough.
- Roll Out Dough: On a surface dusted with powdered sugar, roll out the dough to about 1cm thickness, ensuring it does not stick.
- Cut Shapes: Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out star shapes from the dough, carefully transferring them to avoid breaking.
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Place the star cookies onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them evenly.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until they are slightly firm but still tender inside.
- Cool and Dust: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack. Before serving, lightly dust them with extra powdered sugar to give a beautiful snowy effect.
Notes
- Ensure the egg whites are beaten to stiff peaks for the best texture.
- Roll dough on powdered sugar instead of flour to maintain the delicate texture.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to one week.
- You can add a little almond extract for a more intense almond flavor if desired.
