Zimtsterne (Cinnamon Stars)
Embark on a festive culinary journey with our beloved German Zimtsterne cookies. This recipe, inspired by the channel Green Healthy Cooking, honors the traditional method while offering healthier and vegan alternatives without compromising the iconic flavors and textures we adore about these Christmas treats. Whether you choose to make these with powdered maple or coconut sugar to keep things paleo, or create a vegan version with aquafaba, these Zimtsterne are sure to add a sprinkle of magic to your holiday season.
Ingredients:
Traditional Zimtsterne:
- 200 grams (1 and 1/4 cups) of powdered sugar (make your own as directed or store-bought)
- Almond meal or blanched almond flour
- Hazelnut meal
- 3 room temperature egg whites
- A pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
Alternative Ingredients for Healthier Version:
- 200 grams (1 and 1/4 cups) of powdered maple sugar or coconut sugar
- Homemade almond meal or nut flours
Vegan Version:
- 90 grams (3 cups and 1 tablespoon) of aquafaba (chickpea brine)
Instructions:
Traditional Zimtsterne:
Prep Time: 20 minutes + 1 hour chilling
Cook Time: Not specified in the original text
Total Time: Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes
Equipment:
- High-speed blender
- Stand mixer or hand mixer and large bowl
- Clean kitchen towel
- Sieve
- Spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Jar for storage
- Cling film or a sealable container
- Baking sheet with parchment paper
Cooking Tips:
- When making your own powdered sugar, allow it to settle in the blender for a few minutes before opening to prevent a sugar cloud.
- Ensure all utensils and mixing equipment are free from oil and dirt to achieve stiff peaks for the egg whites.
- Fold in the nut flours with large strokes to prevent overmixing and losing air from the meringue.
Instructions:
1. If making your own powdered sugar, blend your choice of maple sugar, coconut sugar, or cane sugar on high in a blender for about one minute, then let it sit for a couple of minutes before opening.
2. Separate the egg whites from the yolks, ensuring no yolk gets into the whites. Measure to confirm you have at least 90 grams (1/3 of a cup plus one tablespoon) of egg whites.
3. Wipe the inside of your stand mixer bowl and whisk with a clean kitchen towel to remove any residue.
4. Add the egg whites and a pinch of salt to the mixer bowl. Whisk on medium-high for about five minutes or until stiff peaks are achieved.
5. Sift the powdered sugar into the stiff egg whites gradually, folding gently with a hand whisk after each addition until you reach a glossy, gooey consistency.
6. Reserve about 1/3 of a cup of the egg white and sugar mixture in a sealable jar and refrigerate.
7. Add the cinnamon to the egg white mixture, then fold in the almond flour and hazelnut meal in three increments, until just combined. The dough will be sticky but should form a ball.
8. Wrap the dough in cling film or place it in a sealable container and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
For Vegan Zimtsterne:
- Use aquafaba in place of egg whites, and whip it similarly until stiff peaks form.
- Follow the rest of the procedure as outlined above.
Servings: Not specified in the original text
Attribute this recipe to Green Healthy Cooking on their YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Greenhealthycooking.
#german #christmas #traditional #healthy
YouTube channel - Green Healthy Cooking: https://www.youtube.com/@Greenhealthycooking
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