Cinnamon Star Cookies

Traditional German Christmas cookies made with a light almond-meringue base, spiced with cinnamon for a low-sugar treat that's not too heavy—perfect for slow blood sugar release using minimal sweetener.

Ingredients

  • 200g ground almonds (blanched, for lower fat content)
  • 100g chickpea flour (sifted, to replace some almond flour for lightness)
  • 150g powdered erythritol or xylitol (low-glycemic sweetener, adjust to taste)
  • 2 egg whites (room temperature)
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • For glaze: 1 egg white + 50g powdered erythritol, whipped to stiff peaks

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 150°C (300°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a bowl, whisk egg whites with salt until foamy, then gradually add half the sweetener while beating to soft peaks.
  3. Fold in ground almonds, chickpea flour, cinnamon, vanilla, and remaining sweetener until a sticky dough forms (do not overmix).
  4. Roll dough between two sheets of parchment to 1cm thickness, cut into star shapes with a cookie cutter.
  5. Place stars on the baking sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes until lightly golden (they should stay soft inside).
  6. For glaze, beat the reserved egg white with erythritol to stiff peaks, spread thinly over warm cookies, and let set for 1 hour.
  7. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Notes

  • These are naturally low-fat due to egg whites and no butter; the chickpea flour adds subtle nuttiness without heaviness.
  • For even slower blood sugar impact, serve with a side of plain Greek yogurt.
  • Yield: About 20 cookies (10 per portion).

Calories Estimate

Approximately 80 calories per serving (5 cookies), focusing on protein from almonds and minimal carbs from low-GI sweetener.

oneliner: delicate star-shaped cinnamon almond cookies with glossy white meringue glaze on a rustic wooden table with holiday spices

Recipe Variations

  • Nut-Free Option: Replace almonds with sunflower seed flour, keeping chickpea flour ratio the same for structure.
  • Orange Twist: Add 1 tsp finely grated orange zest to the dough for a citrus note without acidity.