Zimtsterne traditionally consist no flour as they are made using almond meal. By replacing white powdered sugar with coconut sugar, these cookies just got even healthier.
Zimtsterne are very traditional, especially during christmas time in Germany. I have always liked having these soft and chewy cookies. You can imagine my happiness when I found out they were actually flour-free. In order to make them even healthier and paleo friendly (minus the icing), I went into a quest to find a healthier alternative to white powdered sugar used in the traditional recipe.
After a few trials I found the recipe that works and give the same results as the traditional ones. I also added a tiny bit of coffee which gives the cookies some extra kick, but isn’t overpowering. The chew comes from the almonds and the cinnamon is the star of the show. These cookies just require a handful of ingredients and are simple to make.
Ingredients used:
Can I use almond flour instead of almond meal?
I tried making them using almond flour but the cookies came out very dry and hard. Almond flour is made from blanched almonds that are partially defatted to make them mimic wheat flour consistency, which many recipes call for. But here you need the extra fat from the almond as there is no other fat involved. Also the grainy texture of the almond meal makes it perfect to achieve chewy cookies.
You can make your own almond meal at home just by grinding the almonds with their skin. Put it into a grinder and process until grounded. It doesn’t have to be too fine, some chunks are preferred.
How long can I store the cookies?
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, these cookies are good for consumption for upto a week. Transfer to a container only after the cookies have reached room temperature and are not warm anymore.
Can I make them without the icing?
You can make these cookies without icing, using the same recipe. Skipping the icing would keep them paleo as the icing contains white powdered sugar. They are totally delicious with or without the icing.
Paleo Cinnamon Star Cookies (Healthier Zimtsterne)
Ingredients
For the cookies
- 2 cups (150 grams) Almond meal (divided)
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) Coconut sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon powder
- 1 Egg white
- 1/2 tsp instant coffee
For the icing (optional)
- 1 egg white
- 1/2 cup icing sugar (puderzucker)
Instructions
- Add 1 ½ cup of almond meal, coconut sugar and cinnamon powder into a big bowl and mix.
- Dissolve the instant coffee into 2 Tbsp of hot water and add it to the bowl. Mix again.
- Now add the egg white and make a smooth dough using your hands.
- Cover and put into the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven on 120°C.
- Place a parchment paper on your working surface and spread the remaining ½ cup of almond meal over it.
- Transfer your cookie dough over it and put another parchment paper on top. Roll it until it is ½ cm thick from all sides.
- Now take a star shaped cookie cutter and dip it into cold water to avoid the dough sticking to it. Cut the cookies and lift them using a flat spatula. Place the cookies into a lined baking tray.
- Repeat the process of rolling and cutting the cookies with the remaining dough on the sides until almost all the dough has been used up.
- Optionally, spread icing on the cookies with the help of a brush. Even out using your fingers.
- Bake the cookies on 120°C for 25 minutes. Keep an eye on them while in the oven. The icing should not get any color and remain white. You only want to dry them out in the oven.
- Let the cookies cool down before transferring them in an airtight container. You can store them in the fridge for upto a week.
