Zimtsterne – Spiced Magen David Cookies

Zimtsterne are a classic German cookie with a special star shape. These delicious treats are perfect for the holiday season and also make great gifts.

Last Chanukah a non-Jewish friend gave me a beautiful box of Zimtsterne as a gift. These delicious star-shaped spiced cookies are a German classic, and are often made as a wintertime treat. My friend saw these magen david-shaped biscuits and immediately thought of me! They were a wonderful and very thoughtful festive gift!

What are Zimtsterne?

Zimtsterne, which simply means ‘cinnamon stars’ in English, have been a beloved staple of German baking for centuries. They originated in the festive Christmas markets of Germany and Switzerland and remain a much-loved holiday treat. They consist of a spiced almond cookie topped with a thin layer of glossy meringue which gives them their signature appearance.

The earliest records of Zimtsterne trace back to the 15th century, when these spiced, almond-based cookies were a premium treat due to the high costs of both cinnamon and almonds. However over time, these ingredients became more widely accessible, and Zimtsterne grew in popularity. Remarkably, the traditional recipe has largely remained the same for hundreds of years, maintaining the delicious taste and texture cherished by generations.

Star-shaped cookies

The Zimtsterne that my friend gifted to me were six-pointed stars – magen davids! – but these classic cookies come in many variations. They can have five, seven, or even more points! The important thing is that they retain their starry shape, as sterne means ‘stars’.

Jewish Zimtsterne

According to the Encyclopaedia of Jewish Food, Zimtsterne were adopted by German Jews, who would make them on special occasions.

In particular, they were prepared for the end of fast days, such as Yom Kippur. The cookies were renamed Erstesternen, meaning ‘first stars’, indicating the heavenly signs which marked the end of the fast.

Surprisingly, despite these biscuits containing no flour and consisting mostly of nuts, sugar and egg, there is no mention of them being prepared for Pesach (Passover). However there’s nothing stopping you from doing this if you wanted to!

They’re beautiful and delicious, and would make a lovely change from – or addition to – coconut macaroons and meringue kisses!

Making Zimtsterne

Zimtsterne cookies consist of a soft, spiced almond biscuit topped with a thin layer of meringue. This gives a beautiful appearance and although it is somewhat more fiddly than a simple cookie, no further embellishment or icing is required after baking.

Mixing, rolling, and cutting out the Zimtsterne is a quick and straightforward process. Adding the meringue topping is time-consuming and repetitive, but if you’re not in a hurry it can be a pleasant and meditative activity. Definitely a labour of love!

Ingredients for making Zimtsterne

To make a batch of these delicious cookies you will need:

• Egg whites
• Icing sugar – also called powdered sugar or confectioners sugar
• Ground almonds
• Ground cinnamon – ‘Zimt’ in German, so the clue is in the name!
• Other spices – optional but I like to include a little allspice, you could also try ginger, cloves or cardamom.
• Zest and juice of lemon

How to make Zimtsterne

To make Zimtsterne, the egg whites are beaten with the lemon juice until they form soft peaks. The icing sugar is gradually added, and the mixture is whisked to a meringue. Some of this is then set aside to form the topping.

The remaining meringue is mixed with the ground almonds, spices, and lemon zest to make a soft dough. This is then rolled out and cut into star shapes using a cookie cutter.

Once the cookies are cut out, they are topped with a thin layer of meringue before they are baked. This gives the Zimtsterne their traditional white and glossy surface.

Zimtsterne Variations

Although the basic ingredients are few, there are many variations on the classic Zimtsterne. Some of these include:

Adding alcohol!

In some parts of Germany, people add a splash of Kirschwasser (cherry schnapps) to the mix for an extra kick. You can also experiment with a dash of brandy, rum, or even whisky, for a different flavour. Although most (all?) of the alcohol will evaporate during baking, these additions will enhance the flavour and texture of the cookies.

Different kinds of nuts

In North America, swapping traditional almonds for ground hazelnuts or pecans is not uncommon. You can substitute whichever nuts you prefer, or use a mixture, to subtly change the flavour of the cookies.

Variations in shape

Although the star shape is the most traditional, there’s nothing to stop you cutting these delicious cookies in other shapes. As you can see in the photos, I also made a few cheeky Zimtdreidlech – cinnamon dreidel cookies!

Decorations

Traditionally, Zimtsterne are topped with a simple glossy layer of meringue. I love that they come out of the oven ready-decorated!

However, bakers have experimented with different decorations. You can use colourful sprinkles, crushed nuts, candied fruit, or a drizzle of chocolate. You can also use royal icing to pipe lacy decorations onto the cookies.

Zimtsterne – a festive tradition

Zimtsterne are strongly associated with the winter festive season. Making and sharing Zimtsterne is a beloved tradition in Germany and Switzerland, synonymous with love, warmth, and the spirit of holiday giving.

My friend gave them to me as a Chanukah gift – recognising that these magen-david shaped cookies would be a delicious treat at the Jewish mid-winter festival as well!

I hope you agree that these delicious treats make a great addition to your Chanukah festivities. Zimtsterne make the perfect addition to a holiday cookie selection – or just a delicious little snack on a cold day!

If you want deliciously easy, family-friendly recipes like this delivered straight to your inbox, simply click here to subscribe. (Of course, I’ll never pass on your email address to anyone.)

📖 Recipe

Zimtsterne FAQs

1. What does Zimtsterne mean?
   Zimtsterne is a German word that translates to “cinnamon stars” in English. The cookies are flavoured with ground cinnamon and other spices, and cut out using star-shaped cookie cutters.
   
2. What are the main ingredients in Zimtsterne?
   Zimtsterne primarily consist of ground nuts (usually almonds), spices, egg whites, lemon and sugar. Some variations of the recipe may include additional ingredients like kirschwasser (cherry schnapps) or candied peel.
   
3. Are Zimtsterne suitable for special diets?
   These delicious spiced cookies are naturally gluten-free so they are perfect for celiacs and those with a gluten intolerance. They are vegetarian but are not suitable for vegans as they contain egg white.
   
4. How should Zimtsterne be stored?
   The cookies should be stored in an airtight container such as a biscuit tin or plastic box, at room temperature. They can be kept for up to two weeks – if they last that long!