Delightful Vegan Cinnamon SunButter Star Cookies (Zimtsterne): A Nut-Free Holiday Tradition

Discover the magic of Vegan Cinnamon SunButter Star Cookies (Zimtsterne), a delightful and allergy-friendly twist on a classic German Christmas treat. Crafted with wholesome almond flour, creamy SunButter, and a luscious coconut butter icing, these star-shaped delights are perfect for adding a unique touch to your Christmas cookie exchange or simply enjoying a cozy holiday moment.

As the holiday season draws near, my kitchen transforms into a haven of festive baking. This year, I’m thrilled to share a Christmas cookie recipe that breaks away from the ordinary and brings a touch of European charm to your table. Forget your average sugar cookies; it’s time to welcome the exquisite Cinnamon Star Cookies, also known as Zimtsterne!

My inspiration for these unique treats sparked during a recent visit to M’s family in Kentucky. Amidst catching up and enjoying time together, we dove into some old German textbooks, reigniting my goal to improve my German language skills next year. Alongside these linguistic treasures, out came a collection of classic German cookbooks. Among their cherished pages, I stumbled upon a recipe for Zimtsterne – traditional German Cinnamon Star Cookies.

Immediately, a vision formed in my mind: adapting this beloved classic into a vegan and gluten-free masterpiece. I had a strong feeling it was entirely possible, and I’m delighted to report that I was right! Traditional Zimtsterne often feature egg whites and powdered sugar, but I successfully reimagined them using a flax egg as a binder and unrefined coconut sugar for a subtle sweetness. The result? These incredible Vegan Cinnamon SunButter Star Cookies (Zimtsterne), made with nutrient-dense almond flour, rich SunButter, and crowned with a decadent coconut butter icing.

These beautiful star cookies aren’t just delicious; they’re also a fantastic option for anyone with dietary considerations. They are perfectly suited for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or making a memorable impression at a Christmas cookie exchange this holiday season. Prepare to amaze your friends and family with this healthier, yet equally indulgent, festive dessert!

Essential Ingredients for Vegan Cinnamon SunButter Star Cookies (Zimtsterne)

Crafting these delectable Cinnamon SunButter Star Cookies (Zimtsterne) requires a thoughtful selection of plant-based ingredients that deliver on flavor, texture, and nutritional value. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need:

• Ground Flaxseed: This is your secret weapon for creating a flax egg, a brilliant vegan binder that replaces traditional egg whites. When mixed with water, it forms a gelatinous consistency crucial for holding the cookie dough together.
• Almond Flour: The base for our gluten-free and grain-free cookies. Almond flour provides a wonderfully tender texture and a subtle, nutty flavor that complements the cinnamon beautifully. It’s also rich in healthy fats and protein.
• Unrefined Coconut Sugar: A natural, lower glycemic alternative to refined white sugar. Coconut sugar offers a caramel-like sweetness that enhances the overall flavor profile of these Zimtsterne without being overly sweet.
• Ground Cinnamon: The star spice of Zimtsterne! High-quality ground cinnamon is essential for that quintessential warm, aromatic, and comforting flavor that defines these German Christmas cookies.
• Pure Maple Syrup: A liquid sweetener that adds moisture and depth of flavor to the dough, working in harmony with the coconut sugar for a balanced sweetness.
• Organic SunButter: This incredible ingredient truly elevates these cookies. As a nut-free alternative, SunButter provides a creamy texture, a unique slightly toasted, nutty flavor, and helps achieve that beautiful golden-brown cinnamon color. It also contributes healthy fats and plant-based protein, making these cookies more satisfying.
• Filtered Water: Used to create the flax egg and to adjust the dough consistency, ensuring it’s pliable and easy to work with.

These simple, wholesome ingredients come together to create a festive cookie that’s not only delicious but also naturally vegan, gluten-free, and refined-sugar-free. It’s proof that you don’t need dairy or eggs to create truly spectacular holiday treats!

Expert Tips for Baking the Best Vegan Zimtsterne

Achieving the perfect texture for these Cinnamon SunButter Star Cookies is all about a few clever tricks. The goal is a delightful balance: chewy in the center with perfectly crisp edges, and a beautiful golden hue. Here’s how to master them:

• Low and Slow Baking: The key to that ideal chewy-crispy texture is baking at a lower temperature. First, preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). This gentle heat ensures the cookies bake evenly without becoming overly dry.
• Parchment Paper is Your Friend: Always line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes for easy cleanup, ensuring your star cookies retain their perfect shape.
• The Flax Egg Foundation: Begin by mixing your ground flaxseed with filtered water in a large mixing bowl. Allow this mixture to sit for approximately 5 minutes. This crucial gelling process forms your flax egg, which acts as the primary binder for your vegan dough. Don’t skip this step!

By following these initial steps carefully, you set the stage for perfectly baked vegan Zimtsterne that will impress every palate.

 

Crafting Your Vegan Cinnamon Star Cookies: Step-by-Step Guide

Once your flax egg is ready, the rest of the cookie dough comes together quite easily. Follow these steps for a smooth baking process:

1. Combine Wet and Dry: To the flax egg mixture, add the almond flour, coconut sugar, ground cinnamon, pure maple syrup, and the star ingredient, Organic SunButter.
2. Mix to a Soft Dough: Using a sturdy spatula or a large spoon, mix all the ingredients until they are thoroughly combined and form a soft, cohesive dough. Be careful not to overmix; just enough until no dry streaks remain. If the dough seems too dry or crumbly, add an extra teaspoon of filtered water at a time until it comes together.
3. Chill for Success: Gently shape the dough into a compact ball. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a plate and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes. This chilling period is vital as it firms up the dough, making it much easier to roll out and cut into precise star shapes without sticking or tearing.

The addition of Organic SunButter not only makes these Cinnamon Star Cookies incredibly moist and tender, but it also imparts a delightful, subtle nutty flavor without any actual nuts. Furthermore, SunButter contributes a boost of plant-based protein and helps achieve that beautiful, characteristic golden-cinnamon color that these cookies wear so well. While I prefer the Organic SunButter for its rich, pure taste, feel free to experiment! You could also use the No-Sugar-Added SunButter for an even less sweet profile, or even Chocolate SunButter for a decadent chocolate-cinnamon variation!

After the 30 minutes of chilling, your dough will be perfectly prepared for shaping into stars.

4. Roll with Ease: Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator. For the cleanest and easiest rolling, I recommend placing the dough between two pieces of parchment paper. Lightly dust both sides of the parchment paper (and perhaps your rolling pin) with a little extra almond flour to prevent sticking. Roll the dough out into an even layer, about ¼ inch thick.
5. Cut Your Stars: Using a star-shaped cookie cutter, begin cutting your cookies. Carefully place the cut-out stars onto your parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a little space between each cookie. If you find the cookie cutter starts to stick to the dough, simply dip the cutter in a small bowl of filtered water between each cut. Gather any dough scraps, gently re-form them, and roll them out again to cut more stars until all the dough is used.
6. Bake to Perfection: Transfer the baking sheet to your preheated 325°F (160°C) oven. Bake the cookies for 10-15 minutes. Keep a close eye on them; they are ready when they are mostly firm to the touch and exhibit a light golden-brown color along the edges. Avoid overbaking, as this can make them dry.
7. Cool and Prepare for Frosting: Once baked, carefully remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. While they are cooling, you can begin preparing your simple and delicious coconut butter frosting.

Simple & Delicious Coconut Butter Frosting: Ingredients You’ll Need

Now, for the crowning glory of these star cookies: the luscious coconut butter icing! What makes this frosting truly special is its incredible creaminess achieved without any added oils, keeping it light yet rich in flavor. You’ll only need three simple ingredients:

• Coconut Butter: This forms the creamy base of your frosting. Unlike coconut oil, which is pure fat, coconut butter includes the fiber and protein of the coconut flesh, providing a richer texture and flavor.
• Pure Maple Syrup: For natural sweetness that beautifully complements the cinnamon cookies. Adjust the amount to your desired level of sweetness.
• Unsweetened Almond Milk: To thin the frosting to a smooth, spreadable glaze consistency. You might need a little more or less depending on the thickness of your coconut butter.

That’s truly it! These three ingredients create a wonderfully dairy-free, oil-free, and refined-sugar-free frosting that hardens to a lovely sheen on your Zimtsterne.

How to Prepare Your Quick Coconut Butter Frosting

Once your beautiful Cinnamon SunButter Star Cookies are out of the oven and cooling, it’s time to whip up the frosting. Remember, coconut butter sets quickly, so efficiency is key!

1. Melt the Coconut Butter: Place the coconut butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat it in the microwave in short bursts (15-30 seconds) until it becomes completely soft and liquified. Stir it well to ensure an even consistency. You can also melt it gently over a double boiler.
2. Create the Glaze: Immediately stir in the pure maple syrup and unsweetened almond milk into the melted coconut butter. Whisk vigorously until you achieve a smooth, runny glaze. The consistency should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but thin enough to spread easily.
3. Act Fast: The coconut butter glaze will firm up quite rapidly as it cools, so you’ll need to work quickly from this point onward.
4. Frost Your Cookies: While the cookies are still slightly warm (this helps the glaze set smoothly), spread the glaze generously over each star cookie. For an extra touch of sparkle and sweetness, sprinkle them with optional coconut sugar while the glaze is still wet.
5. Serve and Enjoy: These vegan Cinnamon SunButter Star Cookies are best enjoyed immediately, allowing you to savor their fresh-baked warmth and delicate flavor.

The creamy, subtly sweet frosting perfectly balances the warm cinnamon notes of the cookies, creating a truly irresistible treat.

Serving & Storage Suggestions for Your Zimtsterne

These Cinnamon SunButter Star Cookies (Zimtsterne) are more than just a cookie; they’re a unique holiday experience ready to be shared. Their star shape makes them inherently festive, perfect for any holiday spread or as a thoughtful homemade gift.

• The Perfect Holiday Treat: Enjoy these Zimtsterne as a standalone dessert, paired with your favorite coffee or tea, or as part of a larger holiday dessert platter. Their warm cinnamon flavor is quintessential for cozy winter evenings.
• Dietary-Friendly Delight: What makes these cookies truly exceptional is their versatility. They are entirely vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, made without added oils, and refined-sugar-free. This makes them an outstanding and inclusive option for nearly everyone on your holiday baking list, including those with allergies or specific dietary preferences.
• Quick Baking Time: In under 15 minutes of baking, you’ll have a batch of these flavorful cookies, making them a convenient choice even during the busiest holiday schedules.
• Frosted or Unfrosted: While I opted for the delightful coconut butter frosting to add an extra layer of sweetness and elegance, these star cookies are equally delicious unfrosted. The choice is yours, and both versions promise a wonderful experience.
• Yield and Storage: The number of cookies you’ll get depends on the size of your cookie cutter; my batch yielded close to 50 beautiful cookies. To keep them fresh and maintain their best texture, store the cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. The frosting will firm up beautifully in the fridge.

Enjoy the rich flavors and festive spirit that these vegan Zimtsterne bring to your home. They are sure to become a cherished part of your holiday traditions!

More Irresistible Vegan Holiday Cookie Recipes

If these Cinnamon SunButter Star Cookies have sparked your holiday baking spirit, you’ll love exploring these other incredible vegan cookie recipes. Perfect for festive gatherings or cozy nights in:

• Flourless Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Raspberry-Beet Almond Flour Cookies

• Pomegranate Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Oatmeal Raisin Pecan Cookies (Oil-Free)

• Coconut Caramel Thumbprint Cookies

• Salted Cashew Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies

• Giant Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookie

• Tahini Chocolate Chip Macadamia Nut Cookies

• Dark Chocolate Chunk Muesli Snack Cookies

• Almond Butter Avocado Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Almond Flour Cashew Butter Snickerdoodles

• Vegan & Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies

• Vegan Shortbread Cookies

• Orange Hazelnut Cookies

• Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

• Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate “Kiss” Cookies

• 4-Ingredient Maple Sesame Tahini Cookies

• SunButter Sugar Cookies

Discover More German-Inspired Vegan Desserts

If you’re as enchanted by German culinary traditions as I am, especially when given a vegan makeover, you’ll love these other delicious dessert recipes inspired by German classics:

• Vegan “Cookie Corners” (Nussecken)

• Vegan Chocolate Cherry Cake (Black Forest Inspired)

We’d Love to Hear Your Thoughts!

I truly hope you enjoy making and sharing this delightful Cinnamon SunButter Star Cookies (Zimtsterne) recipe as much as I do. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and inspires me to create even more delicious, wholesome recipes for you.

If you give this recipe a try, please take a moment to leave a comment, a rating, and a review below. Your thoughts help others discover and enjoy these cookies too!

Don’t forget to give me a shout-out on Instagram and use the hashtag #floraandvino to show off your beautiful creations. I love seeing what you bake!

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XO Lauren

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