Description
Zimtsterne, a classic German holiday cinnamon nut cookie, delights with its delicate texture and warm spice. Nutty, sweet, and elegantly dusted with powdered sugar, these star-shaped treats offer winter comfort to dessert enthusiasts.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4.5 cups (1.1 kg) ground almonds
- 2.5 cups (300 g) powdered sugar
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 3 teaspoons (15 ml) cinnamon
- 3 egg whites (1 used in cookie, 1 for glaze)
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) almond liqueur
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) pure almond extract (optional substitute)
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) water or milk (optional substitute)
- 1 pinch of salt
Instructions
- Mixing Base: Combine ground almonds, powdered sugar, salt, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl, ensuring a uniform, fragrant blend of dry ingredients.
- Egg White Preparation: Whip egg whites until they form soft, delicate peaks, creating a light and airy foundation for the cookie dough.
- Liquid Integration: Gently fold almond liqueur or almond extract with water into the whipped egg whites, producing a smooth, aromatic liquid.
- Dough Formation: Incorporate the egg white mixture into dry ingredients, kneading meticulously until a cohesive, pliable dough develops. Wrap tightly in plastic and refrigerate overnight to intensify flavors.
- Glaze Creation: Vigorously beat an egg white while gradually adding powdered sugar, whisking until the mixture achieves a silky, glossy consistency for coating.
- Dough Preparation: Dust work surface with powdered sugar, roll out a quarter of chilled dough to a precise 1/4-inch thickness. Choose between two decorating techniques: either use a star-shaped cookie cutter dipped in flour to cut shapes, or spread a uniform glaze layer and freeze before cutting intricate stars.
- Baking Process: Preheat oven to 275°F (135°C). Arrange star-shaped cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets, ensuring even spacing. Bake for 12-15 minutes, monitoring carefully to prevent browning.
- Cooling and Finishing: Remove cookies from oven and let cool on baking sheets for 5-10 minutes. Transfer to wire cooling racks, allowing them to reach room temperature and develop a crisp, delicate texture.
Notes
- Chill Dough Properly: Overnight refrigeration is crucial for developing deep, rich flavors and allowing the almond and cinnamon notes to fully integrate.
- Precise Egg White Technique: Whip egg whites to soft peaks carefully, ensuring they’re light and airy without becoming too stiff or dry.
- Low and Slow Baking: Maintain a low oven temperature to prevent browning, preserving the cookies’ delicate texture and pristine white appearance.
- Glaze Application Strategy: Apply glaze evenly and carefully to achieve a smooth, glossy finish that enhances both the appearance and taste of the Zimtsterne cookies.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 22
- Calories: 142
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 10 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg