Zimtsterne {Cinnamon Stars} #Dairyfree for #SundaySupper

I am so excited for this week's #SundaySupper as it is a virtual Cookie Exchange. This is pretty much - besides the occasional chocolate chip cookie - the only time of year I bake cookies and I really, really, really like it :)  The family enjoys it as well...I am bringing a traditional German cookie {or Weihnachtsbroetle as I call them} Zimtsterne. This is a different recipe from last year, and I think that this is the perfect one...nutty, spicy, with a hint of lemon, and just enough sweetness...The only thing is that they are not so beautiful, but trust me they are so good. Oh, and they are not only dairyfree, but also glutenfree. 

Zimtsterne {Cinnamon Stars}

Zimsterne {Cinnamon Stars} Dairyfree & Glutenfree

2-3/4 C whole Almonds {do not used blanched almonds}

3 Egg whites

1-1/2 C Sugar

1 tsp. lemon juice

grated rind of 1/2 of an untreated lemon

1 Tbl. Cinnamon

1 Pinch ground cloves

1. Grate almonds to a meal {I use my food chopper & process it in   
   a couple of batches}
2. Beat egg whites with a pinch of salt {it has to be very firm 
   test it with a knife and it is perfect if the cut is visible}
3. Slowly add sugar and beat carefully until the sugar is 
   dissolved, add lemon juice at the end
4. Add grated lemon rind, cinnamon, and ground cloves to the 
   almond meal. Carefully mix it all up, then
5. Reserve 4 Tbl of the egg whites and mix the rest carefully 
   under the almond/spice mixture to form a dough.
6. Sprinkle a little sugar on your working area before rolling
   out the dough {it will be quite sticky - you can also sprinkle
   some sugar on the top to roll it out a little easier}
7. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper and then using a star
   shaped cookie cutter cut out the individual stars.  Place
   them on the cookie sheets.
***Preheat oven to 360 F***
8. Brush each cookie with the reserved egg whites {step 5}
9. Bake for app. 10 - 12 minutes.

Cool them down before packing them in a cookie tin.  Enjoy!

Zimtsterne {Cinnamon Stars} 

Now, grab your cup of tea, or coffee and take a look at the other cookies the rest of the #SundaySupper Team is bringing to our Cookie Exchange.

The Sunday Supper Favorite Cookie Exchange Cookies:

• Turtle Thumbprint Cookies by Cravings of a Lunatic 
• #glutenfree Almond Oatmeal Raisin Cookies by Cooking Underwriter
• Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies by The Foodie Army Wife
• M & M Cookies by Damn Delicious 
• Snowball Cookies by Small Wallet Big Appetite 
• Mocha Thumbprint Cookies by The Meltaways
• Cardamom-Walnut Cookies by Home Cooking Memories 
• Polish Chrusciki (Bow Ties) by Comfy Cuisine 
• Cherry Blossom Cookies by Flour on my Face
• Rosettes by That Skinny Chick Can Bake 
• Millionaire’s Shortbread by Gotta Get Baked 
• Double-the-Mint Chocolate Kiss Cookies by The Weekend Gourmet 
• Whole Wheat Cereal Cookies by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings 
• Chocolate Dipped Potato Chip Shortbread Cookies by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen 
• Scories De Vulcan | Lava Stones Cookies by The Daily Dish Recipes
• Zimtsterne {Cinamon Stars} #Dairyfree by Galactosemia in PDX
• S’mores Cookies by Hezzi-D’s Book and Cooks
• Chocolate Whoppers by Vintage Kitchen Notes
• Ricotta Cookies with White Chocolate Glaze Country Girl in the Village
• Turtles by Dinners, Dishes and Desserts 
• Salted Caramel Brownie Cookies! by I Run For Wine
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Toffee Cookies by The Urban Mrs.
• Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies by She likes ruffles, he likes truffles 
• Amaretto Almond Biscotti by Noshing With The Nolands
• Mexican Chocolate Cookies by Generation Y Foodie 
• Double Chocolate Peppermin Biscotti by Pippi’s in the Kitchen Again
• Ice Cream Kolaczki by Cookistry
• Amoniaczki by What Smells So Good?
• Fruit and Nut Ice Box Cookies by In the Kitchen with Audrey
• Ginger Bourbon Balls by girlichef
• Candy Cane Blossom Cookies by Mommas Meals 
• Double Chocolate Cranberry Cookies by Lovely Pantry
• Ninja Bread Men by Diabetic Foodie 
• Peppermint Sugar Cookies by In The Kitchen With KP
• Christmas Crunchies by Magnolia Days
• Cream Cheese Swirled Red Velvet Cookies by Mom’s Test Kitchen
• Double Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies and Tips on Mailing Cookies by Chocolate Moosey
• Congo Bars by Supper for a Steal 
• Mint Surprise Cookies by The Cookie A Day Challenge
• Salted Caramel Thumbprint Cookies by Midlife Road Trip
• Best Ever Pecan Pie Bars by Shockingly Delicious
• Oreo Cheesecake Cookies by Baker Street 
• Biscoff Pillow Cookies by by The Messy Baker Blog
• Mexican Hot Cocoa Cookies by Juanita’s Cocina
• Raspberry Thumbprints for my first #SundaySupper!  by Kelly Bakes 
• Tea Biscuits by My Cute Bride
• Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies by Mama Mommy Mom 
• Lebanese Butter Cookies for the Christmas Season by The Catholic Foodie
• Almond Joy Macaroons by Cupcakes and Kale Chips 
• Gluten Free Coconut Fruit Nut Cookies by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz 
• Snowball Surprise Cookies by Family Foodie

Do you have a favorite cookie to take to a Cookie Exchange?  Please join on us on Twitter throughout the day during #SundaySupper on December 9th.  In the evening we will meet at 7pm EST for our #SundaySupper Ultimate Cookie Exchange live chat. For today's chat we have a special host, Janet Keeler, Food & Travel Editor for the Tampa Bay Times.  She is the author of Cookielicious and sure knows her cookies.  She will join us with tips on baking for the Ultimate Cookie Exchange and also answer  your baking questions.   Please join us for The Ultimate Cookie Exchange during #SundaySupper this week. Be sure to be there for our chat as we are giving away 5 signed copies of Cookielicious. It contains 150 fabulous cookies recipes to bake and share.

All you have to do is follow the #SundaySupper hashtag or you can follow us through TweetChat.