These vegan and gluten-free almond and cinnamon cookies are a healthier version of a traditional German Christmas recipe. This 5-ingredient cookie is super simple and easy to make, healthy and extra yummy. They are soft, chewy and moist, with the taste and smell of Christmas. Absolutely addictive!
A few weeks ago we were walking around the city with my boyfriend and he stopped by these little cookie stars in a supermarket. Although he doesn’t really like sweets he said these little things taste super good and he would really love to eat some. Since I’m an evil girlfriend I told him not to buy those (unhealthy and full of sugar and blablabla). But I was also very intrigued by them, so I decided to look for a recipe and make some for him – because I’m not extra evil. It turned out the cookies called Zimtsterne (cinnamon stars) are traditional German Christmas cookies, made with ground almonds, sugar, cinnamon and eggs. For this version I used orange juice, coconut sugar plus chia seeds instead of the eggs, so they actually turned out pretty healthy. And delicious of course!
The cookies are incredible soft and tender, but still slightly crisp on the edges. If you bake them 5-10 minutes longer you get a harder cookie, which is perfect to dip in hot chocolate. You can try to use walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts or a mixture of those instead of almonds. And of course you don’t have to stop at cinnamon. Add vanilla, cardamom, orange zest, anise, whatever you like! And use a star shaped cookie cutter if you have one, unfortunately I only have boring round ones.
Print
Almond and Cinnamon Cookies
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: about one baking sheet 1x
Ingredients
- 2 cups of ground almonds
- 2/3 cup of coconut sugar
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 2 tbsp cinnamon
- 3–5 tbsp orange juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C.
- Grind chia seeds and coconut sugar finely in a food processor.
- Add ground chia, sugar, almond and cinnamon to a large mixing bowl and quickly mix everything together.
- Add first about 3 tablespoons of orange juice and mix everything well together until a sticky dough forms. Add more orange juice if needed.
- Roll the dough out about 0,7 cm/0,3 inch thick between two pieces of baking paper. Cut out shapes and transfer to a baking sheet.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Dessert
That orange burst and anything with cinnamon…yes please, holiday joy!
🙂
Love this healthy version, Evi! Almond “flour” introduces really fantastic texture. If only all healthy cookies had zero calories too, that would be just the perfect world:)
Hahaha, I know what you mean 😀
Hi. I need help! I made these cookies but they did not rise in the oven and basically spread out. It still look like the dough. 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️. I did follow the directions except for I added 1/4 peanuts. I am a horrible baker! I mixed the cooked batter with the left over cookies.
What can I do? Should I add an egg or more almond flour?
Thank you!
Hi! What did you add exactly? Peanut butter? or Peanuts? How much?
Wow great recipe! I love how quick and simple it is – fragrant holiday cookies in no time at all!
Thanks, Michelle 🙂
These look so cosy and perfect for the season Evi!
Thank you, Emma 🙂
They look soooo good! I would love to taste one:)
Thank you 🙂
They look so perfect!
Thank you, Adina! 🙂
Perfection! I’d love to have these with my morning coffee.
Thanks, Linda!
Hi, are the almonds blanched? Thx
Hi Kiki,
I used unblanched almonds, but you can use blanched ones if you prefer 🙂
Do you grind the almonds in a food processor or do you purchase them ground?
Hi Suzanne,
I usually just buy them ground, but you can also grind them in a strong food processor or coffee grinder 🙂