Cinnamon Stars (Zimtsterne)

Ingredients (for about 35 cookies)

• 3 egg whites
• 1 pinch of salt
• 250 g confectioner’s sugar (powdered sugar)
• 1 packet vanilla sugar
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp cocoa powder (optional)
• 400 g ground almonds
• extra powdered sugar for rolling/cutting

Preparation

• Beat egg whites with salt until stiff peaks form.
• Sift in powdered sugar gradually and fold into the egg whites. Reserve about 50 g of this mixture for glazing later.
• Add vanilla sugar, cinnamon, cocoa powder (if using), and enough ground almonds until the dough is barely sticky.
• Place dough between two sheets of baking paper, flatten slightly, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Roll out the chilled dough (about 1 cm thick) using powdered sugar to prevent sticking. Cut out star shapes with a cookie cutter.
• Spread the reserved egg white-sugar mixture evenly on top of each cookie.
• Bake at 250°F / 120°C (no fan) on the bottom rack for about 20 minutes.
• Let cookies cool completely on a wire rack.

Notes

• The glaze is applied before baking, which keeps it snowy white.
• Cookies keep well in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Optional: cocoa powder adds depth of flavor, but traditional Zimtsterne are made with just cinnamon.

Enjoy and happy holidays!

_{Thanks to www.swissmilk.ch for the perfect recipe ;)}