Zimtsterne Vegan (Cinnamon Star) Cookies (2024)

Zimtsterne vegan cookies are not just a holiday treat; they're a festive experience that brings joy and comfort to every bite. With their effortless preparation, allergy-friendly ingredients, and irresistibly warm cinnamon flavor, these cookies are the perfect addition to your holiday celebrations, delighting everyone from busy moms to little ones.

A Delightful Twist on a Traditional Christmas Cookie

Welcome! I hope you are ready for the easiest most delicious gluten-free Christmas cookie recipe (made vegan!) ). Our Vegan Zimtsterne is a delightful twist on a cherished German Christmas tradition. 'Zimtsterne', meaning 'cinnamon stars' in German, are more than just a cookie; they're a nostalgic emblem of holiday cheer and warmth.

Traditional German Christmas cookiesare made with a harmonious blend of cinnamon, nuts, and a kiss of sweetness, these star-shaped treats capture the essence of Yuletide celebrations. In our kitchen, we've lovingly embraced these classic flavors while crafting a recipe that's both vegan and allergy-friendly.

And for a killer combo, these delicious gluten free cookies pair so well with our oat milk hot chocolate! F

And if you are looking for a No-Bake party dessert check out our chocolatey healthy bliss balls! They also happen to be both vegan and gluten-free.

🌲A Family Tradition: My Vegan Twist on Zimtsterne

As a mom who juggles the hustle and bustle of everyday life, I understand the challenge of finding time for holiday traditions. That's why I adore this recipe – it's quick, simple, and puts a smile on everyone's face, especially my little ones! My journey to perfecting this vegan version was filled with trials, laughter, and a whole lot of cinnamon! From the first bite, these German or Swiss Christmas cookies took me back to my childhood Christmases, filled with warmth and joy.

My great-aunt passed the traditional Zimtsterne cookie recipe to us. She used to make these aromatic cinnamon star cookies for my mom when she was a little girl. Unfortunately, the recipe was temporarily lost when my great-aunt passed.

Fast forward a few years, and here I am, chatting with my mom about Christmas food and the parties we used to have back in Brazil. She mentioned these cookies and I instantly remembered their delicious soft texture and the cinnamon aroma and flavor! My mouth started to water and I knew I needed to bring those Swiss Christmas cookies back to life.

But, plot twist: I'm now a plant-based mom. Eggs? Not in my pantry! That's where my new BFF, aquafaba, entered the scene. Who knew chickpea water could work wonders?
So, after a few kitchen experiments (and maybe a cinnamon cloud or two), I finally nailed it. And let me tell you, biting into these vegan Zimtsterne was like opening a time capsule – all the warmth and joy of those childhood Christmases, now ready to be shared with my own little ones. And hey, if I can do it amidst the daily chaos of mom life, you absolutely can too! 🌟🍪

👪Why You'll Love This Holiday Cookie

My family adores these Zimtsterne vegan cookies, and here's why yours will too:

• Effortlessly Easy to Make: These Swiss Christmas cookies are a breeze to whip up. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, they're perfect for busy parents or baking beginners.
• Allergy-Friendly Delight: Catering to gluten and egg allergies can be a challenge, but not with these cookies! Made with aquafaba instead of eggs and almond meal in place of traditional flour, they're a safe and scrumptious option for everyone at your holiday table.
• Festively Flavorful: Each bite of these cookies is a burst of festive joy. The rich, nutty almond base paired with the warm, spicy notes of cinnamon creates a flavor profile that's deeply comforting and quintessentially Christmas. They're the perfect blend of chewy and soft, with a lightly crisp edge that's utterly irresistible.
• Versatile Holiday Hit: Whether you're gifting them to a neighbor, bringing them to a party, or simply enjoying them at home, these cookies are always a hit.

In every star-shaped morsel, you'll find the essence of the holidays – warmth, joy, and a touch of magic. These Zimtsterne vegan cookies are more than just a treat; they're a festive experience that brings smiles and satisfaction to every table.

🤔WHAT IS AQUAFABA?

Aquafaba is the liquid leftover from cooked chickpeas. Or more commonly seen as the liquid in a can of chickpeas. The easiest most reliable way to get aquafaba is from a can, because when you cook chickpeas at home the liquid leftover may be too thin with not enough starch. Minimalist Baker has a great post on how to make aquafaba if you are interested (here). And it is perfect for making egg-free cookies!

Aquafaba has gained popularity because it can be whipped up to create a foam similar to whipped egg whites. It is a fairly new discovery but has been a game-changer in the vegan world as an egg substitute. Especially in baking! America's Kitchen has some tips on how to use cream of tartar to get a VERY rich foam, so check it out here if you are curious about that!

Aquafaba has become a superstar in the vegan world, and for good reason. Whip it up, and it fluffs like egg whites – perfect for those of us craving that airy texture in our Swiss Christmas cookies. It's a relatively new find, but oh boy, has it changed the game! Aquafaba's ability to mimic whipped egg whites makes it suitable for a variety of cookie recipes, from traditional sugar cookies to more elaborate ones like vegan meringues or amaretti.

🍪Ingredients

Diving into the world of Zimtsterne vegan baking, let's explore the simple ingredients that make these German cinnamon stars a festive delight. For substitutions head down to the substitutions section.

• A can of chickpeas: You will only use the liquid part. Canned chickpea water is called Aquafaba and it is the star of our vegan show! It's amazing how this chickpea brine mimics egg whites, making our cookies light and airy. With your leftover chickpea, you can make these delicious baked chickpea croutons!
  • ⭐NOTE: To make them with eggs you can follow this recipe (link) or head scroll to the FAQ for a recipe using eggs.
• Powdered Sugar: Or confectioner’s sugar (icing sugar), which will add the perfect sweetness and help create that delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture we all crave in a cookie.
• Almond Meal (Non-Blanched): I love the rich, nutty flavor it brings, plus it keeps our cookies wonderfully gluten-free. You can use ground almonds if you prefer. Add your unsalted almonds to a food processor or high-speed blender until you get a course of flour. Or read the How to Make Almond Meal here!
• Ground Cinnamon: The heart and soul of our Zimtsterne, infusing each bite with that classic, warm Christmas spice.
• Salt: Just a pinch to enhance all the flavors and bring the sweet and spicy notes into perfect harmony.

Remember, for full quantities, see the recipe card, make sure you use the exact measurements for the best results!

👩🏽‍🍳Step-By-Step Instructions

Making Vegan Zimtsterne: A Beginner's Guide

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Gather your ingredients and then preheat your oven to 300 degrees F and move your cooking rack to the bottom shelf. This ensures even baking without drying out these Swiss Christmas cookies.

Step 2: Whip the Aquafaba

In a large bowl, measure out the liquid from your can of chickpeas.

Then in a stand mixer (a handheld beater also works) beat chickpea water until you see stiff peaks forming. This usually takes about 5 minutes. Patience is key here – those peaks are what give our cookies their signature texture!

Step 3: Sift the Sugar

Next, to the whipped chickpea liquid gently sift in the powdered sugar.

See Also

54 Old-School Recipes That Deserve a ComebackGerman Christmas Cookie RecipesEudora Welty's White FruitcakeStollen: A Beautiful Holiday German Bread | Foodal

Step 4: Mix in the Sweetness

Then fold until well combined. Set aside about 2 tablespoons in a small bowl of this mixture for later – it'll be our secret to that glossy frosting.

Step 5: Create the Dough

Now, in a large bowl mix the almond meal, cinnamon, and salt. Then add the aquafaba mixture in and mix gently until it comes together. You want a wet but pliable dough (see photo). If it feels too wet, don't hesitate to add a bit more almond meal.

Step 6: Roll Out the Dough

Lightly flour a clean surface, then place your dough in the center. Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough to about ¼ of an inch thick.

Step 7: Cut Out the Dough

Grab your star-shaped cookie cutter (I love using a 3-inch one, but feel free to play with sizes) and start cutting out your stars. If the stars are sticking to your work surface then use a spatula to bring them up and more powdered sugar. Re-roll the scraps and keep going until all the dough is used up.

Then place the star-shaped cookies on a lined baking pan (use parchment paper or a silicon mat). Pro tip: Keep your movements gentle to maintain the dough's

Step 8: Frost and Bake

Using a pastry brush, gently apply the reserved aquafaba mixture onto each cookie. Aim for a thin, even layer – this will caramelize beautifully in the oven, giving you that dreamy, marshmallow-like frosting. Remember, it's all in the details!

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Place your cookies in the preheated oven and bake them at 300 degrees F for 10-15 minutes. Keep an eye on them – you want them perfectly golden, not too dark. Every oven is different, so start checking around the 10-minute mark. If your cookies are to thinner or thicker then ¼ inch you will need to adjust the cook time slightly.

Step 9: Cool and Store

After baking, let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet. This step is crucial for them to set properly and develop that signature texture. Once cooled, transfer your vegan zimtsterne to a dry, airtight container. They'll stay fresh and delicious for up to 2 weeks – if they last that long!

With these steps, you're all set to create delightful vegan cinnamon stars that are sure to be a hit. Happy baking! 🌟🍪

🍩Substitutions & Variations

Remember, it's perfectly okay to use what you have on hand, especially during the busy holiday season. If you find yourself missing an ingredient for these Zimtsterne vegan cookies, here are some handy substitutions to keep the baking going:

• Aquafaba: If you're not vegan and have eggs at home, you can substitute the aquafaba with egg whites for a more traditional approach. For another eggless option, try using flaxseed meal mixed with water (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons water equals one egg), though this may slightly alter the texture.
• Powdered Sugar: If you don't have powdered sugar, you can make your own by blending granulated sugar in a food processor until it's fine and powdery. Alternatively, for a less refined option, coconut sugar ground in a similar way can work, though it will give a different flavor and color to the cookies.
• Almond Meal: You can make your own by blending raw almonds, or you can use Almond flour (the texture will be smoother).
• Cinnamon: No cinnamon? No problem! You can use allspice or nutmeg as a substitute. These spices will give a different but equally festive flavor to your cookies. If you have mixed spice or pumpkin pie spice, those can also work well as a substitute.

These German cinnamon star cookies are simple enough and some minor substitutions should not make a huge difference. However please note that any deviation from this recipe will result in a different end result.

🥡Storage and Leftovers

Let the cookies cool completely before storing them in your cookie tin.

Room Temperature: Store your Zimtsterne vegan cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They'll stay fresh and delicious for up to a week, making them perfect for gradual nibbling or unexpected guests.

Fridge: If you prefer your cookies a bit firmer, you can store them in the refrigerator. In an airtight container, they'll last for up to two weeks. This is a great option if you've made a large batch and want to savor them slowly.

Freezer: For long-term storage, these Swiss Christmas cookies freeze beautifully. Place them in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you're ready to enjoy them, just thaw at room temperature for a few hours.

These storage tips ensure that your Zimtsterne vegan cookies are just as delightful whenever you choose to enjoy them, be it straight from the oven or as a sweet treat weeks later.

📚FAQ

🍰 More Vegan Holiday Baking

I hope you enjoyed these Vegan Zimtsterne (cinnamon star) Cookies! FI you are looking for more gluten-free cookies, desserts or treats be sure to check out these:

I recommend trying our delicious creamy vegan truffles (vegan bridgadeiro), and delicious creamy vegan truffles.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Please let us know if you made this recipe in the comments and leave a star rating. We would also like to hear what your favorite Christmas cookies are.

📖 Recipe