Cinnamon Stars (Zimtsterne) are classic German Christmas cookies. This is a simple and easy recipe that is naturally gluten free, dairy free and DELICIOUS!
Last month I took a trip to beautiful Denver Colorado to attend the Food Allergy Blogger’s Conference. Denver is one of the most gluten free-friendly spots the country has to offer, there are so many dining options there!
The morning before the conference began, I went on a gluten free tour of the surrounding areas with a group of gluten free bloggers, hosted and planned by Michelle at My Gluten-Free Kitchen.
Our first stop was a cute little German shop called Rheinlander Bakery. They had just celebrated their 50th year being in business, and it was easy to see why they have been in business that long. Once you step inside, you feel like you’ve been transported to Germany.
There are hundreds of delightful pastries, cookies, and treats of all kinds. Two entire display cases are dedicated to gluten free and dairy free goodies, and we felt very confident in their processes for avoiding cross contamination.
It was so hard to pick just a few things to try! The display cases were loaded with eclairs, chocolate dipped “Oreos”, different flavors of tortes, biscotti, and more. At the last minute, I decided to add a cookie that caught my attention. The cookies were labelled “Cinnamon Stars” or zimtsterne in German.
We went outside to taste the goodies and just as expected everything was wonderful. But the Cinnamon Stars stole the show for me.
What is zimtsterne?
Zimtsterne, or Cinnamon Stars is a traditional German Christmas cookie. It is made with almond flour (the whole ground flour works best), egg whites, powdered sugar, and a few other simple ingredients. The cookies are chewy and have a warm cinnamon flavor – but not too much.
As a finishing touch, these cookies are traditionally frosted with meringue, but the Cinnamon Stars in Rheinlander Bakery were topped with a layer of decadent chocolate and that is my favorite way to enjoy them 🙂 These Zimtsterne cookies stay good for 1-2 weeks making them the perfect make-ahead Christmas treat!
I saved half of the zimtsterne to share with my family, and because these cookies stay fresh up to 2 weeks, it was just as good when I got home. Now that’s a Christmas cookie you need in your repertoire! The entire family loved it, picky kids and all, so I knew that I needed to recreate it. I scanned the internet and read through half a dozen recipes (this is a good place to start) before creating my own version. It took a few trials to get the texture and flavor as I had remembered it from Rheinlander Bakery.
If you don’t love chocolate or want to try something new, feel free to top your gluten free Cinnamon Stars with meringue. Just follow the modifications on step 5 of the recipe notes below.
Whether you’re topping these Cinnamon Stars with meringue or chocolate, you’re sure to enjoy them! They’re a fun twist on traditional American Christmas cookies, and if you’re making them with kids be sure to grab some fun gluten free sprinkles for decorating.
I partnered up with some great gluten free bloggers to bring you more gluten free cookie goodness! find the recipes below!
Check out all 12 recipes in our virtual gluten-free cookie exchange, listed in the order they appear in the photo, left to right, row by row.
Gluten-free Oatmeal Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies by My Gluten-Free Kitchen
Gluten-free Gingerbread Kiss Cookies by Gluten Free Palate
Snowball Cookies by Allergylicious
Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Mint Cookies by Meaningful Eats
Cinnamon Stars by Life After Wheat
Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies in Jar by This Vivacious Life
Crock Pot Bark with Salted Peanuts by What the Fork
Candy Cane Cookies by gfJules
Coffee Flour Cookies by Flippin’ Delicious
Snickerdoodle Cookies by Veggie Balance
Lemon Cranberry Cookies by Vegetarian Mamma
Gluten Free Vegan Rasberry Pinwheel Cookies by Sarah Bakes Gluten Free

Cinnamon Stars ( Zimtsterne)
Cinnamon Stars (Zimtsterne) are classic German Christmas cookies. It's a simple and easy recipe that is naturally gluten free, dairy free and DELICIOUS!
Ingredients
- 3 egg whites, cold
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 1/2 - 3 3/4 cup finely ground whole almond flour (see notes)
- 4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1 1/2 cups gluten free chocolate chips for frosting, OPTIONAL
Instructions
- Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment or Silpat baking liners.
- In a large bowl, whip egg whites with a whisk attachment until stiff. If you're topping the cookies with meringue, please see recipe notes for modifications.
- Add powdered sugar, 3 1/2 cups almond flour, cinnamon, vanilla, and sea salt. Mix on low just until combined or stir gently by hand. Don't overmix. The dough will be only slightly sticky, but definitely workable. Note that humidity can affect how much flour you'll need so if it's too wet to be workable, add more almond flour a tablespoon at a time.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Dust countertop, silpat, or wax paper with about 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar.
- Form dough into a ball, roll in powdered sugar to prevent sticking, and slightly flatten. Roll out to about 1/4 inch thick.
- Using a star shaped cookie cutter, cut out the dough and place onto prepared baking sheets. Sometimes the dough will stick a bit so I use a lightly greased spatula to transfer them to the baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, until cookies are set, a lighter color, and the bottoms are slightly browned.
- Cool on a rack.
- When cookies are completely cooled, melt the chocolate chips
- Dip the tops or the entire cookies one at a time into the melted chocolate and set right side up on a piece of parchment or wax paper. Sprinkle with Christmas sprinkles if you want. Enjoy!
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks!
Notes
- Whole almond flour works best. A lot of almond flours you see in stores will have the peels removed, leaving a flour that is one color throughout. I have tested this recipe with almond flour that uses the whole almond, and with the flour just mentioned and the whole almond flour yields the best texture. I found some at my local natural grocery store.
- Since you're working with egg whites, be gentle with the dough. I have used the paddle attachment on my KitchenAid mixer, a hand mixer, and stirred by hand. All of those methods have worked but turn your mixer to a low setting and just mix until the ingredients are barely combined.
- You'll be baking these cookies low and slow. Don't be tempted to turn up the heat as the texture won't be quite the same.
- Because you're already dealing with a brown dough, it might be difficult to tell when the cookies are done. They will have gotten a little more pale while baking, and should have a very light golden brown finish underneath. They should be chewy but should not taste doughy. In my oven, they are done in exactly 17 minutes.
- Bake on the middle rack, but if you're topping with meringue, move the oven rack to a lower position.
- To top with meringue instead of dipping in chocolate, follow the recipe with these modifications:
- After whipping the egg whites, add just the powdered sugar and mix on low about 10 seconds until the sugar is incorporated.
- Reserve about 2 tablespoons of the meringue and finish preparing/rolling dough as directed.
- Before baking, spread a thin layer of meringue on top of each cookie.
- Move your oven rack to the lowest position so the meringue doesn't burn before the cookies finish baking.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1 cookieAmount Per Serving: Calories: 115Total Fat: 7gCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 2gSugar: 9gProtein: 3.5g

84 Comments
Chrystal @ Gluten-Free Palate
December 10, 2017 at 7:22 amThese cookies are so pretty! I love how simple the recipe is.
Brianna Hobbs
December 10, 2017 at 8:02 amThese were my favorite from our Denver trip. I’ve been wanting to make them! I can’t wait to try your recipe.
Nicole Dawson
December 10, 2017 at 9:10 amEven more sad I couldn’t get my flight changed in time for the tour, BUT so excited I can try these cookies you recreated from the trip! They look amazing.
Dana Coughlin
December 10, 2017 at 10:02 amMy favorite cookies are Russian tea cookies and rosettes
Lydia Claire
December 10, 2017 at 1:45 pmMy favorite are macaroons!
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com
December 10, 2017 at 3:09 pmAlways a win!
Dee Johnson
December 10, 2017 at 7:36 pmI always love chocolate shortbread cookies.
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com
December 11, 2017 at 10:35 amI have never tried a chocolate shortbread, sounds amazing!
Margaret E Clegg
December 10, 2017 at 8:16 pmI LOVE Cinnamon Star Cookies, but they don’t always turn out for me. I’ll have to try your recipe!
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com
December 11, 2017 at 10:35 amMargaret you’re the first person to say they’ve tried cinnamon stars! Let me know if it works for you!
april
December 10, 2017 at 8:26 pmMy favorite is iced sugar cookies!
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com
December 11, 2017 at 10:34 amIced sugar cookies are a such a classic and always a win!
Maria
December 17, 2020 at 6:03 pmI want to try this recipe but only have the blanched almond meal. You said they aren’t as good but I am interested in more details about what happens and the outcome with the white almond meal. I had hoped to try making Zimtstern with ground hazelnuts this year, but haven’t seen them at my market. That is what they usually use in Germany. Beautiful cookies!
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com
December 18, 2020 at 8:44 pmHi Maria! The texture will be similar, it mostly affects the appearance.
Rachel Fuller
December 10, 2017 at 8:55 pmI love gingerbread cookies!
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com
December 11, 2017 at 10:34 amOh yes, I do too!
Hannah
December 11, 2017 at 7:05 amVery nicely decorated cookies you have there! My favorite Christmas cookie is decorated, cut-out sugar cookies.
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com
December 11, 2017 at 10:34 amThank you Hannah! Have you tried the soft sugar cookie recipe here? https://thereislifeafterwheat.com/2016/12/gluten-free-soft-sugar-cookies/
Wehaf
December 11, 2017 at 10:10 amI love real Swedish ginger snaps – thin and crisp!
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com
December 11, 2017 at 10:32 amI don’t know that I’ve ever had those! I love ginger cookies though.
angelica
December 11, 2017 at 11:35 amMy favorite are chocolate chip cookies – simple yet delicious!
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com
December 12, 2017 at 9:27 amYes, classic chocolate chip is always a win!
julie
December 11, 2017 at 12:24 pmi love a good crunchy sugar cookie
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com
December 12, 2017 at 9:26 amMmmmmm yes!
Kayley
December 11, 2017 at 12:47 pmI usually like gingerbread and sugar cookies during Christmas. These cinnamon stars look great too!
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com
December 12, 2017 at 9:26 amI love gingerbread too, Christmas just isn’t complete without it! Hope you enjoy these, too Kayley! -Celeste
Erica D
December 11, 2017 at 1:20 pmI still can’t believe I haven’t gone after all these years. Looks incredible!
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com
December 12, 2017 at 9:25 amNext year!
jules
December 11, 2017 at 1:26 pmThese are so pretty! I can’t wait to try them! Excited to be doing this virtual cookie exchange with you!
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com
December 12, 2017 at 9:24 amThank you Jules! I hope you enjoy them and am planning on trying your candy cane cookies with my kids this week!
Mary
December 11, 2017 at 6:12 pmYum! I can’t wait to make some!
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com
December 12, 2017 at 9:23 amI hope you enjoy them Mary!
Lesly f
December 11, 2017 at 8:27 pmMy mom’s cinnamon cookies are delicious ?
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com
December 12, 2017 at 9:22 amCookies from mom are always the best, huh? Are they a snickerdoodle type cookie?
Lisa Howell
December 11, 2017 at 10:06 pmMy favorite Christmas cookies are chocolate covered Peppermint Joe Joe’s!
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com
December 12, 2017 at 9:22 amChocolate + Peppermint is always a winning combo in my book!
amy guillaume linderman
December 12, 2017 at 6:53 ami really love making cream cheese spritz/cookie press cookies
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com
December 12, 2017 at 9:21 amSpritz cookies are so fun! I remember making them as a kid but don’t much anymore…I might have to make a batch this year!
jberry
December 12, 2017 at 9:05 amAfter returning from a work related trip, I have 5 days to bake before Christmas. Your Cinnamon Stars have just knocked something off the list. The only 2 cookies that are safe from elimination are my Oatmeal Snickerdoodles & my mothers’ Nut Butter Thumbprints.
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com
December 12, 2017 at 9:20 amI am so glad to hear that this recipe saved you a little stress this Christmas! I hope you enjoy them, Merry Christmas! -Celeste
Brianna Wolin
December 12, 2017 at 9:06 amI am all about chocolate in my cookies!
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com
December 12, 2017 at 9:20 amYES!
Jessica Allen
December 13, 2017 at 10:03 amThank you!!!! We just had a cookie fellowship at church and a family brought these to share. I was hoping to get the recipe but hadn’t yet.
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com
December 13, 2017 at 3:52 pmPerfect timing! Hope you enjoy them Jessica!
Jessica
December 13, 2017 at 12:32 pmLove white chocolate/cherry cookies!
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com
December 13, 2017 at 3:52 pmAbsolutely! One of my favorite flavor combos!
Becca Z
December 13, 2017 at 12:51 pmGorgeous stained glass sugar cookies.
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com
December 13, 2017 at 3:51 pmI remember making those as a kid, so fun!
Cassandra
December 13, 2017 at 4:31 pmOur favourite Christmas cookies are either gingerbread or sugar cookies as the children love decorating them!
Lisa S
December 13, 2017 at 4:52 pmSugar cookies
Elena
December 13, 2017 at 7:04 pmI like the gingerbread cookies
Heather
December 13, 2017 at 11:46 pmMy favorite Christmas cookie would have to be German Spekulatius 🙂
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com
December 14, 2017 at 9:27 amI haven’t tried these, I’ll have to look up a recipe! I love trying new cookies.
Dandi D
December 14, 2017 at 7:01 amMy favorites are frosted sugar cookies.
Liz Newsome
December 14, 2017 at 8:19 amI love iced shortbread cookies!
GB
December 14, 2017 at 11:26 amGinger snaps are my favorite Christmas cookie.
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com
December 15, 2017 at 4:24 pmI love Ginger too! Great choice 😉
shelly peterson
December 14, 2017 at 7:45 pmI like frosted sugar cookies.
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com
December 15, 2017 at 4:23 pmAlways a win!
JOdi
December 14, 2017 at 8:38 pmThese cookies are amazing! Thank you!
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com
December 15, 2017 at 4:22 pmYes, always so fun!!
Katie
December 14, 2017 at 9:45 pmCut out sugar cookies!
Elle
December 14, 2017 at 10:04 pmMy favorite Christmas cookie is sugar cookies.
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com
December 15, 2017 at 4:22 pmAlways a good one!
meredith
December 15, 2017 at 7:08 pmI like my moms date bars
Casey the College Celiac
December 15, 2017 at 9:04 pmI’m loving gingersnaps this year – it’s been my first time trying them!
Melinda M.
December 15, 2017 at 10:28 pmI’ve never heard of Zimtsterne but they look delicious! Our favorite is Peppernuts but I have yet to find a good GF substitute. :-/
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com
December 16, 2017 at 6:56 pmI haven’t heard of peppernuts, I’ll have to look it up and try a recipe!
Bridgett Wilbur
December 16, 2017 at 11:04 amI love my grand mothers snow ball cookies.
Kayte CookWatts
December 16, 2017 at 3:40 pmI love pumpkin chocolate chip with coconut & pecans.
Chrissy
December 17, 2017 at 3:14 pmMy favorite Christmas cookie is chocolate snickerdoodles!
Marilyn
December 18, 2017 at 5:21 amMy favorite cookies are the Hungarian walnut-paste filled Crescents my Mom would make only at Christmas time! The best!
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com
December 18, 2017 at 10:15 amThose sound so good!
Erika W.
December 18, 2017 at 8:18 amMy favorite Christmas cookies are sugar cookies and peanut butter cookies with hershey kisses in the middle.
Linda
December 18, 2017 at 10:44 amSugar cookies are my favorite Christmas cookie.
SHAYNA
December 18, 2017 at 10:47 amI LOVE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES 🙂
Maggie Smith
December 18, 2017 at 1:55 pmWe love peanut butter blossoms!
Lindsay A.
December 18, 2017 at 8:37 pmAhhh, sooo hard to pick a favorite! I love snickerdoodles, almond crescents or anything with marzipan/almond paste, almond extract (can you see a theme here? Lol), and many others! 😀
Heather
December 4, 2018 at 8:42 pmIs whole almond flour the same as almond meal?
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com
December 5, 2018 at 10:12 amYes. Some almond meal/flour has the almond skins removed, and some include it. I’ve had the best results using an almond flour that uses the whole almond.
Heather
December 5, 2018 at 10:35 amOkay, perfect! I hate buying almond flour because it’s so expensive. Almond meal is far cheaper and for the most part I can get away with using it in most recipes.
cyn
January 21, 2019 at 6:55 pmcan anything be done to make these nut free?
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com
January 22, 2019 at 8:27 pmUnfortunately I don’t think there is a substitute since nut flour is so unique. Sorry Cyn.
Maria
December 19, 2020 at 12:16 pmSo I did try out this recipe and I think the milling blade on my Nutribullet did a great job providing me with whole almond meal. I love the chocolate on these! I was horrified though that the first sheet (over half the cookies) burned on the bottom and I checked at the earliest stated time of 15 minutes. My oven does not run hot. The second sheet did not burn but are pretty hard. I have surveyed other recipes for Zimtsterne and find 300 the highest oven temp suggested. You did mention they should bake at a low heat but have 350 as the temperature on the recipe. You may want to double check that 350 is the temperature you want posted here.