Easy Glazed Zimtsterne Recipe: Sweet Cinnamon Nut Cookies

These delightful glazed cinnamon nut cookies represent a festive German holiday tradition that dances between sweet and spicy.

Soft yet crisp textures emerge from carefully balanced ingredients, creating a memorable treat that feels like a warm embrace.

zimtsterne sparkle with rich cinnamon undertones, promising a delectable experience for anyone who appreciates nuanced dessert craftsmanship.

Delicate almond flour forms the foundation, lending a subtle nuttiness that complements the warming spice profile.

Elegant and understated, these star-shaped confections carry cultural significance beyond mere sugar and flour.

Intricate glazing techniques reinvent simple ingredients into edible works of art that celebrate seasonal joy.

Complex flavor layers unfold with each careful bite, inviting sensory exploration of traditional baking wisdom.

Why Glazed Cinnamon Nut Cookies – Zimtsterne Are Holiday Magic

• Savor Elegant German Holiday Tradition: These Zimtsterne (cinnamon stars) represent a classic German Christmas cookie with rich cultural heritage and delicate craftsmanship.
• Experience Luxurious Nutty Texture: Ground almonds create a wonderfully soft, crumbly texture that melts smoothly in your mouth, delivering a sophisticated nutty complexity with each delicate bite.
• Master Simple Yet Impressive Technique: Despite looking intricate, these cookies require minimal ingredients and basic baking skills, allowing home bakers to create professional-looking treats with straightforward steps and minimal equipment.
• Enjoy Make-Ahead Convenience: The overnight dough chilling and advanced preparation allows busy bakers to plan ahead, spreading the cookie-making process across multiple days without sacrificing quality or flavor intensity.

What Makes Glazed Cinnamon Nut Cookies So Special

• Ground Almonds: Nutty foundation of the cookie with rich, dense texture and authentic flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create smooth, delicate cookie consistency.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cookies.
• Cinnamon: Classic spice that delivers warm, aromatic flavor signature to German zimtsterne.

• Egg Whites: Primary binding agent that helps create light, crisp cookie structure.
• Almond Liqueur or Almond Extract: Intensifies almond flavor and adds subtle depth to the cookies.
• Water: Used to dilute almond extract if not using liqueur.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, white glossy coating for the star-shaped cookies.
• Egg White: Provides structure and shine to the glaze, helping it set correctly.

How to Bake Perfect Glazed Cinnamon Nut Cookies – Zimtsterne

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

• Ground almonds
• Powdered sugar
• Salt
• Cinnamon

Blend these ingredients thoroughly until well mixed.

Step 2: Prepare the Egg White Mixture

In a separate bowl, whisk egg whites until they become foamy or reach soft peaks. Add almond liqueur or almond extract with water to the egg whites and mix gently.

Step 3: Create the Cookie Dough

Pour the egg white mixture into the dry ingredients. Knead the mixture until it forms a smooth, consistent dough. Wrap the dough in cling wrap and refrigerate overnight to enhance the flavors.

Step 4: Craft the Glaze

In a clean bowl, beat an egg white while gradually adding powdered sugar. Continue beating until the mixture becomes smooth and glossy.

Step 5: Roll Out the Dough

Sprinkle powdered sugar on your work surface. Take 1/4 of the dough and roll it out to 1/4-inch thickness.

Step 6: Shape and Frost the Cookies

Choose your preferred method:

• Use a star-shaped cookie cutter (flour or wet the cutter)
• Cut out star shapes
• Place stars on parchment-lined baking sheets
• Spread glaze evenly over the stars
• Refrigerate for 1-2 hours before baking

• Spread a thick layer of icing over the entire dough sheet
• Freeze for 2 hours
• Cut out star shapes
• Prepare for baking

Step 7: Bake the Cookies

Preheat the oven to 275°F (135°C). Bake the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 12-15 minutes. The cookies should be set but not browned.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5-10 minutes. Transfer to wire racks and let them cool completely before serving.

Tips for Icing and Texture on Cinnamon Nut Cookies

• Chill for Success: Refrigerate the dough overnight to deepen the almond and cinnamon flavors, creating a more complex taste profile.
• Sugar Dusting Technique: Generously sprinkle powdered sugar on your work surface to prevent sticking and add a delicate sweetness to the cookies.
• Glaze Like a Pro: Beat the egg white glaze slowly and steadily to achieve a smooth, glossy finish that sets perfectly when baked.
• Low and Slow Baking: Maintain a low oven temperature to prevent browning, ensuring the cookies remain delicate and preserve their pristine white appearance.
• Moisture Magic: Keep the cookies slightly soft by not overbaking, allowing them to set but remain tender and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

Store Zimtsterne Cookies Without Losing the Glaze

• Refrigeration: Store cooled Zimtsterne in an airtight container lined with parchment paper. Keep cookies separated by layers to prevent sticking. These delicate treats will stay fresh for up to 7 days when refrigerated properly.
• Freezing: Carefully stack glazed cookies between wax paper in a freezer-safe container. Seal tightly and freeze for maximum 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to maintain their delicate texture and crisp edges.
• Reheating: Avoid direct heat or microwave, as these cookies are best enjoyed at room temperature. Gently remove from storage and let them sit for 10-15 minutes to reach ideal serving consistency. Enjoy the soft, nutty flavor and delicate glaze just like they were freshly baked.

Perfect Pairings for Glazed Cinnamon Nut Cookies

• Pair with Spiced Mulled Wine: Complement the cinnamon notes of these Zimtsterne cookies with a warm, aromatic mulled wine. The spices in the wine will echo the cookie's rich, nutty flavor and create a cozy winter tasting experience.
• Match with Amaretto Liqueur: The almond undertones in the cookies beautifully harmonize with the sweet, almond-flavored Amaretto. Serve a small shot alongside the cookies for an indulgent dessert pairing that enhances the nutty profile.
• Serve with Vanilla Bean Espresso: The bold, rich espresso cuts through the sweetness of the cookie while the vanilla notes provide a complementary flavor. This combination offers a sophisticated dessert moment that balances the delicate texture of the Zimtsterne.
• Accompany with Roasted Almond Brittle: Create a textural contrast by serving a small piece of almond brittle next to the cookies. The crunch of the brittle and the softness of the Zimtsterne will provide an exciting sensory experience that highlights the almond and cinnamon flavors.

Creative Twists on Zimtsterne Cookies

• Nutty Chocolate Fusion: Replace half the ground almonds with cocoa powder for a rich, chocolatey flavor. Add dark chocolate chips to the dough for extra depth and indulgence.
• Zesty Citrus Splash: Incorporate orange or lemon zest into the dough for a bright, refreshing twist. Swap almond liqueur with citrus extract to enhance the citrusy notes.
• Spiced Winter Warmth: Mix in ground cardamom, ginger, and nutmeg alongside cinnamon. Use honey instead of almond liqueur to create a warm, comforting cookie with complex spice layers.
• Gluten-Free Almond Delight: Substitute powdered sugar with a coconut sugar alternative. Use almond flour to ensure the recipe remains gluten-free while maintaining the traditional texture and taste.

Glazed Cinnamon Nut Cookies Zimtsterne Recipe

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4.6 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Zimtsterne enchant German holiday tables with delicate almond and cinnamon nuances. Delicate star-shaped cookies promise festive warmth and sweet elegance you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4.5 cups ground almonds
• 2.5 cups powdered sugar
• 3 teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 egg whites

Liquid and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons almond liqueur (or 1 tablespoon pure almond extract plus 1 tablespoon water or milk)

Glaze Ingredients:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 egg white

Supporting Ingredients:

• 1 pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly mix ground almonds, powdered sugar, salt, and cinnamon in a spacious mixing bowl until uniformly combined.
2. Whip egg whites in a separate container until they transform into a light, frothy texture with soft, delicate peaks.
3. Gently incorporate almond liqueur or almond extract with water into the whipped egg whites, creating a smooth, fragrant liquid.
4. Fold the egg white mixture into the dry ingredients, kneading meticulously until a cohesive, pliable dough forms.
5. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and allow it to rest in the refrigerator overnight, enabling the flavors to meld and intensify.
6. Prepare the glaze by vigorously beating an egg white while gradually introducing powdered sugar, whisking until the mixture achieves a silky, glossy consistency.
7. Dust the work surface generously with powdered sugar to prevent sticking, then carefully extract a quarter of the chilled dough.
8. Roll the dough to a precise 1/4-inch (0.6 centimeters) thickness, ensuring an even, smooth surface.
9. Select either of two decorating techniques: first method involves using a star-shaped cookie cutter dipped in flour or water, cutting precise shapes and placing them on parchment-lined baking sheets.
10. Alternatively, spread a generous, uniform layer of glaze across the entire dough sheet, then freeze for approximately 2 hours before cutting intricate star shapes.
11. Preheat the oven to 275°F (135°C), creating a gentle, low-temperature environment for baking.
12. Arrange the cookie stars on parchment-lined baking sheets, ensuring they are evenly spaced.
13. Bake for 12-15 minutes, watching carefully to ensure the cookies set without browning.
14. Remove from the oven and allow cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5-10 minutes, permitting them to firm up slightly.
15. Transfer the delicate cookies to wire cooling racks, letting them reach room temperature and achieve their final, crisp texture.

Notes

• Overnight Flavor Infusion: Refrigerate the dough for at least 8 hours to develop rich, deep almond and cinnamon notes that will make these cookies truly memorable.
• Precise Rolling Technique: Use powdered sugar instead of flour when rolling to prevent dryness and maintain the delicate texture of these traditional German holiday treats.
• Egg White Glaze Mastery: Whip the egg white carefully, adding powdered sugar gradually to create a smooth, glossy coating that sets beautifully and gives the cookies their signature shine.
• Temperature Matters: Bake at a low 275°F to ensure the cookies set perfectly without browning, preserving their delicate star shape and tender crumb.
• Make-Ahead Magic: These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week, making them ideal for holiday preparation and gifting.
• Cutting Pro Tip: Keep your star-shaped cookie cutter dipped in water or flour to prevent sticking and create clean, precise cookie edges.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: German

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 130 kcal
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 15 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg