| Share

German Christmas recipesZimtsterne

Cinnamon stars are classic German Christmas cookies. They are rolled and cut into star shapes and are traditionally topped with white sugared icing. Unusual about these cookies is that they don't use flour. That makes them a good holiday alternative for anybody with wheat allergies.

Ingredients

3 egg whites
pinch of salt
1 cup + 2 Tbsp. sugar
2 1/2 cups almonds, ground (with skin)
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 cups powdered sugar, for rolling

Preparation

Beat egg whites together with salt until stiff. Slowly add sugar and beat until stiff but not dry. Set aside about 1/2 cup of the sugar and eggwhite mixture. Add to the remaining mixture the ground almonds, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Form into a ball and allow to chill for 1 hour.

Remove 2 cups of dough from the refrigerator. Spread a 1/4-inch layer of powdered sugar over the work surface and roll the ball in the sugar until covered. Roll into a flat disk about 1/4-inch thick. The dough will have a sticky consistency; continue to add powdered sugar as needed to make the mass workable. Use a star-shaped cookie cutter, or other forms if desired, and place cut shapes on a baking sheet covered with baking paper. With a pastry brush, brush a small amount of the reserved egg white mixture onto the top of each cookie. Bake at 300° F for 25 minutes.

Cooking utensils

Cookie cutters

Linzer Christmas Cookie Cutter Set. 1 scalloped cutter, 6 cutouts: angel, tree, candy, cane, star, bell & ornament. More info - Buy	8-piece Linzer cookie cutter set. Star, heart, teddy bear, Christmas tree. More info - Buy	8-piece Snowflake Cookie Cutter Set: 5 snowflake designs, 3 cutouts More info - Buy
11-piece graduated round cookie cutter set. Stainless steel with rolled edges to protect fingers. Qualifies for free shipping. More info - Buy Also available with scalloped edges: More info - Buy		Wilton Christmas Cookie Cutters. Set of 18: Snowflake, holly leaf, gingerbread girl, star, sleigh, tree, stocking, snowman, reindeer, ornament, candy cane, Santa hat, angel, bell, gift, wreath, gingerbread boy and mitten. More info - Buy