Zimtsterne are another variety of popular Christmas cookies in the German-speaking regions, prepared Gluten-free with cinnamon as a main ingredient and cut out into stars.
Learn how to make this Zimtsterne Recipe from scratch with the step by step recipe instructions further below:
Cinnamon is a favorite spice during the colder winter days in this world.
This warm spice helps us in getting into Christmas mood, as it is transporting most of us into a relaxed peaceful state of mind.
In the northern hemisphere, you will find cinnamon in sweet desserts and baked good.
In India and some countries of the middle east and central Asia, Cinnamon is used in savory dishes as well.
A favorite way, nonetheless, is to bake cinnamon star cookies, or Zimtsterne as we know them in the German-speaking countries.
These cookies are baked during the Advent time in Austria, Germany and Switzerland and are part of the annual cookie swap between family, friends and neighbors.
Zimtsterne is a few of the traditional Christmas cookies that are completely without flour and can be counted as gluten-free.
Cinnamon stars are an essential cookie in Europe, in fact, many will count them as their favorites because of the nutty and cinnamon rich flavor.
A while back I received a bottle of cherry schnapps as a gift form my friend in Germany.
The most common use for Cherry schnapps is as a flavor enhancer in the well known Bavarian Black Forest Cake but I had another brilliant idea for it.
I think, cinnamon and cherry schnapps complement each other perfectly, so I dropped some of the cherry schnapps alcohol into the Gluten-free Cinnamon Star cookies.
This has been for sure one of the best flavor combinations that I have come up with, in fact, I can’t imagine baking gluten-free Zimtsterne cookies again without the cherry schnapps.
Of course, cherry Schnapps is difficult to get commodity in this world so count this ingredient as a little secret bonus in this Zimtsterne recipe.
If you get Cherry Schnapps, then, by all means, add some to the cookies, you will be positively surprised by flavors.
To cut out the cookies you can use different sized and shaped stars.
Take some inspiration from the shapes below
More Christmas Cookies like the Zimtsterne 🍪
More spiced foods 🥄
- Glühwein – spiced mulled wine
- Potato Goulash – spiced Veg stew
- Spiced apple compote, yogurt & müsli pots
Dear Reader, are you planning to bake a batch of Zimtsterne this festive season?
Zimtsterne Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
For the Cookie dough
- 1⅔ cups Powdered Sugar
- 2 Egg Whites
- 3 cups Almond flour
- 1 1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon Powder
- 2 Tablespoons Water or try to get Schnapps such as cherry schnapps
- pinch Salt
for the Egg glaze
- 1 Egg white
- 1⅔ cup Powdered Sugar
- few drops of water optional and only if the glaze is too thick
Instructions
- Separate the egg whites from the yolk. Keep the egg yolks for another dish. Beat the Egg whites to a stiff consistency. Then continue to beat the eggs and add a batch at a time of powdered sugar until all the powdered sugar is added to the egg whites.
- The consistency should be a bit thicker at this point.
- Now add the almond flour, cinnamon powder (cherry schnapps optional) and pinch of salt and mix the whole content with a spoon.
- You will notice that the dough will get tough and sticky. Form the dough into a ball
- Spread a clean wrap on the working surface and wrap your dough into it. Let cool in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
- Before you take and roll out the dough, preheat the oven to 300° Fahrenheit/ 150° Celsius!
- First we will prepare the egg glaze by beating the egg white with the powdered sugar. Add a few drops of water if it is too thick. The glaze should be shiny smooth, like a white paint consistency.
- To roll out the dough place a baking sheet (butter paper) at the bottom and add some almond flour so that when you roll out the dough it won’t stick too much. Roll the dough out to a 1/2 centimeter/0.3 inch thickness and cut out your stars with the cookie cutter.
- Place your stars on the baking sheet and with a fine brush spread the white sugar glaze equally.
- Bake at 150 Celsius/302 Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes, the cookies should be baked but not raw on the inside. Once baked, leave them out to cool before storing them in an airtight container or metal box.
Notes
- The cookies are covered with a sugar glaze before they get baked.
- Cinnamon stars tend to be always a bit soft and moist even in a dry environment. Although in a dry environment store the cookies in a tin box with butter paper and apple peel to keep the moisture locked in the cookies. In a humid climate consider of keeping the cookies in an airtight container and keep away from moisture for too long.
Stephanie says
Hi there! As a German gal who has missed out on a lot of traditional goodies since a gluten intolerance kicked in, I’m so pumped to see this! Sadly I’m also allergic to almonds. Is there any substitute that you might suggest? Perhaps a hazelnut or walnut flour? (Are those things?)
Thanks so much!
Stephanie
Helene Dsouza says
Hi Stephanie,
Yes, you can substitute almond flour with walnut or hazelnut flour. I don’t know if you can buy walnut flour in your grocery store, but I have seen hazelnut flour on amazon. Another option is to make walnut or hazelnut flour from scratch. I haven’t tried that myself yet but it should be the same procedure as almond flour.
Carla says
Cinnamon is one of my favorite spices. I go through so many jars! Never made a cookie completely dedicated to it, so I can’t wait to try these.
Ramona says
beautiful cookies… I love how you decorated them…. very pretty. 🙂
Brandie (@ Home Cooking Memories) says
How adorable! I’d love to add these to the list of treats I’ll be making for Christmas this year.
Kitchen Belleicious says
yeah they are GF! I can’t wait to try them!
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
These are so pretty. I can’t wait to dabble in g-free recipes.
Minnie@thelady8home says
A friend of mine is looking for gluten free cookie recipes for Christmas, and this could not have come at a better time. The clicks looks so cute, and I love your kitchen 🙂
Hezzi-D says
So pretty. I can always use another gluten free cookie recipe! It’s hard to find a good one.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
These cookies are so cute!! I bet they taste fantastic too.
Liz says
These flavors are perfect for the holidays…and your cookies are glazed to perfection! Are these quite firm? I think they’d be lovely hung on the Christmas tree, though I’d be snacking on them WAY too much if they were in full view all day 🙂
Helene Dsouza says
Thank you Liz. Yes they are super firm and I believe you can hang them on the Christmas tree. Wish we could do that here, but I doubt, the cookies will attract insects and the humidity. 😉
Balvinder says
Helene, I bet these are super duper delicious!
Kim - Liv Life says
With the promise of Christmas Spirit along with that fabulous cinnamon cookie, I’m totally making these!! My husband is having difficulty getting into the spirit this year, so maybe these will help. I’ve also got a fundraiser to bake for this weekend… these would be perfect!!!
Helene Dsouza says
Yeah my husband too felt the same way, was just not getting into the christmas mood but the cookies did the trick Kim. I wish you all the best and enjoy! =)
Shannon | JustAsDelish says
ya another gluten free recipe. what is this cookie called in europe? is there a german/french/austrian name?
Helene Dsouza says
We know them in German as Zimtsterne (Cinnamon stars) and in french it’s Etoiles à la Cannelle which is directly translated from German. 🙂
Oge @ healthy quick meals says
These cookies look so pretty Helene! Would make a beautiful gift to gluten-free friends. Thanks for the recipe.
The Ninja Baker says
Now I know what to do with my cherry liqueur, Helene! Thank you. Your cookies look positively professional and such a bonus that they are gluten free! Yes, cinnamon is a star Christmas spice…Interesting to learn, too, that cinnamon is a savory star in India =)
Helene Dsouza says
lol! Do you guys have cherry liqueur in Japan? That would be interesting to learn. Thank you for your kind comment and I am happy to hear that I was able to share my knowledge.
Samantha @FerraroKitchen says
How adorable are these???? I think these would be perfect for Hanukkah too!!!
Helene Dsouza says
For sure, I never thought of it but you are right Samantha! =)
Kristin @ Dizzy Busy and Hungry! says
These look so yummy. And the photography is stunning. Love it!
Aimee @ See Aimee Cook says
Those are beautiful – and I love the photos as well!
Krissy Brasslett says
Christmas cookies brings back so many good memories. Yum!
Lizzy (Good Things) says
Helene, such fun getting ready for the festive season!
Stacy says
What a great idea to add the cherry schnapps, Helene! I’ll bet that did raise the flavor bar to a tasty height. Your little stars are just beautiful!
John@Kitchen Riffs says
This looks like a really terrific cookie! I love that it’s gluten-free — we’re fine with gluten, but have friends who aren’t, so it’s always good to have choices. Love the food styling on the photos! Really nice – thanks.
Helene Dsouza says
I see it the same way, it’s always good to have choice and nowadays many people have food restrictions due to health issues, so recipes like that do come handy. Happy to know that you see it the same way John! Cheers!
Jen @JuanitasCocina says
These are so beautiful, Helene! I’m going to share them with a GF friend!
Happy day #1!