Glazed Cinnamon Nut Cookies – Zimtsterne: A Traditional German Delight
If you’re looking for a festive and delicious holiday treat, these Glazed Cinnamon Nut Cookies, known as Zimtsterne in Germany, are the perfect addition to your cookie repertoire. Made with ground almonds, spiced with cinnamon, and topped with a sweet glaze, these cookies are both chewy and crunchy, with a warm, nutty flavor that will instantly transport you to a cozy winter wonderland. Though they take some time to prepare, the result is a beautiful, star-shaped cookie that’s worth every minute.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive and Unique: These star-shaped cookies are a holiday classic in Germany and will bring an international flair to your dessert table.
- Naturally Gluten-Free: Made with ground almonds instead of flour, these cookies are naturally gluten-free, making them a great option for those with dietary restrictions.
- Perfect for Gifting: These cookies are beautiful and delicious, making them an ideal homemade gift during the holiday season.
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- 4 ½ cups ground almonds (almond meal is recommended; almond flour is too fine)
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 pinch of salt
- 3 teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 egg whites
- 2 tablespoons almond liqueur (or 1 tablespoon pure almond extract plus 1 tablespoon water or milk)
For the Glaze
- 1 egg white
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground almonds, powdered sugar, salt, and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until foamy (or soft peaks if you’re using a stand mixer). Stir in the almond liqueur or the mixture of almond extract with water or milk.
Next, add the egg white mixture to the dry ingredients. Knead the dough until everything is well combined. It should come together into a slightly sticky but manageable dough. Wrap the dough tightly in cling wrap and refrigerate it overnight. This chilling step is crucial as it allows the flavors to meld and the dough to firm up for easier rolling.
2. Make the Glaze
The next day, prepare the glaze by beating the egg white while gradually adding the powdered sugar. Continue whisking until the glaze is smooth and glossy. This glaze will give your cookies a beautiful, shiny finish once baked.
3. Roll the Dough
Sprinkle some powdered sugar on your work surface to prevent the dough from sticking. Take one-quarter of the chilled dough at a time and roll it out to about ¼-inch thickness. Work in smaller portions to keep the dough manageable and prevent it from becoming too soft.
4. Cut and Frost the Cookies
You have two methods to choose from when shaping and glazing the cookies:
- Method 1: Use a star-shaped cookie cutter (floured or wet to prevent sticking) to cut out stars from the dough. Place the stars on parchment-lined baking sheets. Spread or brush the glaze evenly over the stars, then refrigerate the cookies for 1-2 hours before baking. This helps the glaze set and prevents it from melting too quickly during baking.
- Method 2: Spread a thick layer of icing over the entire sheet of rolled dough before cutting out the stars. Once the dough is coated with glaze, freeze it for 2 hours to firm up the icing, then cut out the stars and place them on the prepared baking sheets.
5. Bake the Cookies
Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C). Bake the cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets for 12-15 minutes. The cookies should be set but not browned—this low temperature helps keep the cookies soft and chewy while maintaining the beautiful white glaze. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5-10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
Tips for Success
- Almond Meal vs. Almond Flour: Almond meal is recommended for this recipe because it provides a coarser texture. Almond flour can be too fine, resulting in a different texture.
- Chill the Dough: Don’t skip the overnight chilling step! It helps the dough firm up and makes it much easier to work with when rolling and cutting.
- Freezing Option: If you choose Method 2, freezing the dough before cutting out the stars will ensure the glaze stays intact during baking and makes the stars easier to handle.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Chilling Time: 12 hours
- Cooking Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 12 hours 45 minutes
- Servings: 30 cookies
- Calories: 100 kcal per cookie
Final Thoughts
These Glazed Cinnamon Nut Cookies – Zimtsterne are a beautiful and traditional holiday cookie that will quickly become a favorite. With their spiced almond base and glossy white glaze, they’re perfect for holiday cookie swaps, gifts, or simply to enjoy with a warm cup of tea. While they do require some planning due to the overnight chilling, the result is more than worth the effort.
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Glazed Cinnamon Nut Cookies – Zimtsterne
- Total Time: 12 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 30 1x
Description
Zimtsterne, or Cinnamon Stars, are a traditional German holiday cookie made with ground almonds, cinnamon, and a sweet almond glaze. These cookies are soft and chewy, with a deliciously warm cinnamon flavor and a crisp, sugary glaze that melts in your mouth. The star shape makes them extra festive and perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Cookies:
4 ½ cups ground almonds (almond meal is recommended; almond flour is too fine)
2 ½ cups powdered sugar
1 pinch of salt
3 teaspoons cinnamon
2 egg whites
2 tablespoons almond liqueur (or 1 tablespoon pure almond extract plus 1 tablespoon water or milk)
Glaze:
1 egg white
1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, blend the ground almonds, powdered sugar, salt, and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until foamy (or soft peaks if using a stand mixer). Add the almond liqueur (or almond extract with water) to the egg whites.
Combine: Add the egg white mixture to the dry ingredients and knead until well combined. Wrap the dough in cling wrap and refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to develop.
Make the Glaze: In a bowl, beat the egg white while gradually adding the powdered sugar until smooth.
Roll the Dough: Sprinkle powdered sugar on your work surface. Take one-quarter of the dough at a time and roll it out to ¼-inch thickness.
Cut and Frost the Cookies:
Method 1: Use a floured or wet star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out stars. Place them on parchment-lined baking sheets. Spread or brush the glaze evenly over the stars, then refrigerate for 1-2 hours before baking.
Method 2: Spread a thick layer of icing evenly over the entire sheet of dough. Freeze for 2 hours before cutting out the stars and baking.
Bake the Cookies: Preheat the oven to 275°F (135°C). Bake the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 12-15 minutes until they are set but not browned. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5-10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 100