Zimtsterne (Cinnamon Star Cookies) Recipe - Food.com (2024)

2

Submitted by Thorsten

"Zimtsterne (cinnamon stars) are maybe THE traditional German Christmas cookies. Everyone loves these little treats. But many don't like to make them, because the sticky dough can be a bit tricky while cutting the stars. But if you take the time to make them, it is more than worthwhile all the work. They are heavenly. If you have tasted the first you can't stop eating them. And christmas without Zimtsterne? NEVER! They are a must."

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Zimtsterne (Cinnamon Star Cookies) Recipe - Food.com (2) Zimtsterne (Cinnamon Star Cookies) Recipe - Food.com (3)

photo by Thorsten Zimtsterne (Cinnamon Star Cookies) Recipe - Food.com (4)

Ready In:
52mins

Ingredients:
9
Yields:

40 cookies

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ingredients

  • Dough

  • 300 g almonds, finely grounded
  • 100 g caster sugar, siefted
  • 50 g flour
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 2 egg whites (see note on egg size)
  • Meringue Glaze

  • 1 egg white
  • 1 dash salt
  • 200 g caster sugar, siefted
  • milk

directions

  • In a bowl mix dry ingredients for dough.
  • Add egg whites and knead until a still sticky dough is formed.
  • Wrap into cling film and put into the fridge for at least one hour. I always leave it in the fridge for 2 - 4 hours.
  • Near the end of cooling time preaheat oven (170 C) and make meringue glaze.
  • For meringue glaze beat egg white with salt until stiff. While still beating add caster sugar by and by to make meringue.
  • The meringue should have a consistency that you can spread it with a brush onto the dough later. It should have a more creamy consistency, so that it will stick on the dough and not running down.
  • Add just a little milk to get the right consistency. Depending on the egg white you may need about 1 to 3 tablespoons.
  • Line out baking trays with parchment paper.
  • Get the dough out of the fridge and roll it out between two layers of parchment papers or cling film. The dough sould be a bout 1 cm thick.
  • Method ONE for making cinnamon stars (easy way): Using a star cutter cut out the stars and place them on the baking tray. With a brush spread meringue glaze on the cookies.
  • Method TWO for making cinnamon stars (tricky way): After you have rolled out the dough spread a thin layer of the meringue glaze on the dough. Now you need a star cutter which can be opened. These are available in Germany. When you can open the cookie cutter you avoid touching the glaze, because the dough has the tendency to stick to the cutter. Put the stars on the tray. Knead the rest of the dough again and add some grounded almonds, so that the dough is not too sticky. Repeat the steps of making the stars.
  • Bake the cookies for about 10 - 12 minutes. Watch them carefully, because the meringue should not be browned.
  • Take them out and let cool completely. Store them in airtight container. The cookies get better and better, because the flavours blended over time, but I you have to find a good hidout.
  • NOTE on egg size: egg size is important here, because it determines the stickyness. My recipe is based on an egg size of 54 - 63 g per egg.
  • Custom yield is a guess.
  • Time to make does NOT include cooling time.

Questions & Replies

Zimtsterne (Cinnamon Star Cookies) Recipe - Food.com (5)

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Reviews

  1. This was one of the first cookies I ever made. I saw it in an issue of "Shere" magazine in the mid-seventies. I've been seeking the recipe for years. When I first made them I was advised to dust the board with powdered sugar (caster sugar) rather than flour. The icing step can be tricky! Use less than you think you should and an off-set spatula is the best tool. These cookies are some of the best I've ever eaten. Though a bit of trouble the results are transformative. This cookie helped me to become a better baker at the age of eleven. I made batches of them and was so proud of my result when I presented them as gifts.

    theJDMC

  2. 5 stars for the almond cookie on its own but the meringue was far too persnickety for my tastes and the end result was not a combination I enjoyed. Next time I will make bigger stars (I used tiny ones and it really tried my patience) and cover with a sugar icing or maybe even a cream cheese frosting.

    invictus

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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

Thorsten

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  • 58 Followers
  • 85 Recipes
  • 18 Tweaks

I'm no longer an active member because the site has become anonymous. If you want to contact me use the website listed in my profil. http://www.flickr.com/photos/thorsten-photography/

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Zimtsterne (Cinnamon Star Cookies) Recipe  - Food.com (2024)

FAQs

Where does Zimtsterne come from? ›

It is German for Cinnamon star. What is the origin of Zimtsterne? While the origin is unclear, it is first mentioned in the mid 16th century being attributed to Swabian region of Germany. Because cinnamon was very expensive only the very rich or royalty enjoyed these cookies.

What's the secret to baking cookies? ›

The key is to always use top-quality ingredients as they'll result in a better cookie; it really is that simple.
  • Always use butter.
  • Choose the right sugar.
  • Choose the right flour.
  • Check your flour is in date.
  • Choose the right kind of chocolate.
  • Cream the butter and sugar.
  • Beat in the eggs.
  • Fold in the flour.

What makes cookies fluffy and not flat? ›

Room temperature butter is just the right consistency to incorporate air when it's creamed with sugar. These trapped air pockets result in risen, fluffy cookies. If the butter is any warmer, it won't incorporate enough air and your cookies will have less rise.

What makes cookies chewy and not hard? ›

The science is simple: According to the flour authorities over at Bob's Red Mill, cornstarch can help “soften the rigid proteins of the flour, resulting in a light and chewy dessert.” “The cornstarch complements the flour in absorbing the liquids, but won't develop gluten structure like the flour will,” stresses ...

What makes cookies fluffy baking soda or powder? ›

Baking soda is generally about three times stronger than baking powder, so adjust your recipe accordingly. Baking soda and baking powder can produce cookies with different textures. Baking soda is typically used for chewy cookies, while baking powder is generally used for light and airy cookies.

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