Best 2 German Cinnamon Stars Zimtsterne Recipes
Embark on a delightful culinary journey with German Cinnamon Stars (Zimtsterne), a traditional Christmas cookie that captures the essence of the festive season. These delicate and aromatic treats, originating from the heart of Germany, are a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. With a crispy exterior and a soft, chewy interior, each bite of a Zimtsterne is an explosion of warm cinnamon and sweet almonds. This article presents a collection of carefully curated recipes that will guide you through the process of creating these delectable cookies. Explore variations like the classic Zimtsterne, the gluten-free version for those with dietary restrictions, and the unique vegan Zimtsterne that cater to plant-based preferences. Let the enticing aroma of cinnamon and the festive spirit fill your kitchen as you embark on this delightful baking adventure.
Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!
CINNAMON STARS (ZIMTSTERNE) GERMAN CHRISTMAS COOKIES
This is the one cookie my husband requested our first Christmas. I had never had them so this recipe is from an amazing blog called Spoonful of Sugar. They are difficult but this recipe makes them also delightful and fun to try if you have the time. The best thing about this recipe (besides the sit down, relax, and have a cup of tea step!) is she gives you her hints after a disastrous first attempt. If you follow this exact, even a non-careful cook like me can make these delicious. Her hints are below, but I will say that I think much depends on the almonds. If they aren't ground just right, you will be nearly unable to form them. You can try chilling them longer but I have given up before and just made them round globs. they are still delicious, so don't throw the batter out, even if you think it is unworkable! * I beat the egg whites with the lemon juice to ensure that they whipped up to the biggest possible volume. * Mixed the ground cinnamon with the ground almonds before folding that mixture into the meringue. * Most importantly, I rolled the dough out between two sheets of clingfilm (Plastic wrap). I am the Clingfilm Queen! This eliminates the need to cover the work surface in extra sugar and thus removes the possibility of things ending in a sticky mess. Divide the dough into smaller portions to do this, keeping the remainder of the dough in the fridge whilst working with one portion. * Dipped the cookie cutter in some cold water to prevent it sticking. * Re-rolled all the scraps as they hadn't been toughened or made overly sticky by adding in extra sugar. The cookies taste as good as they look. Sweet, almondy, and with a heavenly aroma and kick from the cinnamon. Oh, I did have to bake them a lot longer than the recipe or. I did 320 degrees for I think around 16 minutes each, it might have been my oven, or mine were thicker, anyway just keep checking them and take them out when they just get a bit beige. My first batch were undercooked and the ones a bit crispier on the outside were awesome.
Provided by Andolisa
Categories Dessert
Time 1h40m
Yield 30-40 cookies
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Separate egg yolks from whites and beat whites until stiff peaks form.
- Slowly sift in the sugar and lemon juice, then beat some more for about 8 minutes.
- Put aside 4 heaped tablespoons of the meringue - this will be used to top the cookies later on.
- Add ground almonds and cinnamon to the remaining meringue and mix well. You might want to add a dash of rum or Amaretto.
- Cover the dough and let it rest in the fridge for about an hour.
- Sit down, relax and have a cup of tea.
- After an hour fetch the dough from the fridge.
- Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 3/160C/320°F.
- Sprinkle a surface with confectioners' or regular white sugar and roll the dough to approximately 5 mm.
- Cut the stars with a star shaped (yes, indeed!) cookie cutter.
- Put the stars on the lined baking sheet.
- Now get the reserved meringue from earlier. You might have to stir it a bit so it becomes a smooth mix. You also might want to add some more lemon juice. It's a matter of taste.
- Now brush the cookies with the topping and bake them for about 8 minutes.
- Cool on the baking sheet.
- Store in an air-tight tin.
- The cookies should keep for about two weeks.
GERMAN CINNAMON STARS (ZIMTSTERNE)
Provided by Gil Marks
Categories Cookies Mixer Nut Dessert Bake Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur Fall Kosher Hazelnut Cinnamon Party Kidney Friendly Vegetarian Pescatarian Dairy Free Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Soy Free
Yield Makes about thirty-six 2-inch cookies
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- 2. Combine the nuts, cinnamon, and zest. Beat the egg whites on low speed until foamy, about 30 seconds. Add the salt, increase the speed to medium-high, and beat until soft peaks form, 1 to 2 minutes. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar and beat until stiff and glossy, 5 to 8 minutes. Reserve one-third of the meringue (about 1/3 cup) and fold the nut mixture into the remaining meringue.
- 3. Place a large piece of waxed paper on a flat surface and sprinkle with additional confectioners' sugar. Place the nut mixture on the sugar, lightly sprinkle with more confectioners' sugar, top with a second piece of waxed paper, and roll out 1/4 inch thick. Remove the top piece of waxed paper. Using a cookie cutter dipped in water, cut into 2-inch star shapes or use a sharp knife to cut into diamonds. Reroll and cut any scraps. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
- 4. Bake until set, 10 to 12 minutes. Spread the reserved meringue over the top of the cookies and bake until the tops are lightly colored, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool. Zimtsternen taste best if allowed to stand for 24 hours. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 weeks.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients, especially the cinnamon. Good cinnamon will give your Zimtsterne a more intense flavor.
- Make sure your egg whites are at room temperature before you start baking. This will help them whip up more easily and give your Zimtsterne a lighter texture.
- Don't overmix the dough. Overmixing will make your Zimtsterne tough.
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out. This will help the dough hold its shape better.
- Roll out the dough thinly, about 1/8-inch thick. This will help the Zimtsterne bake evenly.
- Use a sharp knife to cut out the Zimtsterne. This will help prevent the dough from tearing.
- Bake the Zimtsterne until they are just set, about 10-12 minutes. Overbaking will make them dry and crumbly.
- Let the Zimtsterne cool completely before storing them. This will help them keep their shape.
Conclusion:
Zimtsterne are a delicious and festive Christmas cookie that is easy to make at home. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create these beautiful and tasty treats that will be enjoyed by your family and friends.
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