Thank you for asking, Lorene! I added a note in the recipe (which I should have thought of doing!) but here is what it is: gingerbread spice mix, pumpkin (pie) spice mix, apple pie spice mix are each a blend of ground spices for baking, so similar that they are pretty much interchangeable. The mix of spices includes cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, sometimes star anise, allspice, coriander, cardamom, and/or pepper. You can make your own or, as I do, purchase a good quality jar at the supermarket.
These look delicious, and techniques I've never tried--using confectioners sugar in place of flour to keep the dough from sticking, BAKING the meringue icing, wow! I impulse-purchased some almond paste [not marzipan] on sale and have been looking for a way to use it. Wondering if I could substitute it for the nuts? I know it has added sugar and other ingredients.
I honestly wouldn't replace the finely ground nuts for almond paste; it's not only a question of sugar but of texture. I'm not even sure it would work in this recipe.
My German born immigrant grandparents made these at Christmas and mailed them to us. We loved them. I made them once from Grandma's recipe but the quantity was huge. I like this recipe as ingredients are smaller amounts. Can't wait to get the almonds and try them, even though it is past Christmas. Thank you!
Fabulous! Chewy and crunchy! I found that I needed more meringue for icing, so in the future I will increase the egg white and powdered sugar accordingly.
I made them for the kids.also VANILLE GIPFERLN. my mother gave me her handwritten receipt. She was born on the Italian side of TYROL. Austrian cuisine mixed in there.
My 92-year-old German-born second cousin Ursula used to make these Zimtsterne cookies every year with her children for Hanukkah, along with Lebkuchen. I always meant to ask her for the recipe but never got around to it, so thanks so much for sharing this, Jamie! The connection with Alsace-Lorraine is really interesting. I hope I can still make them in time for the holidays.
This reminds me of a slightly German influenced childhood and our cooking experiences.
We did have links and Christmas Eve was the special day for us kids, rounded off by opening grandmother’s large parcel box and eating these cookies by the tree.
We used to help make them as well as mince pies for the English half of our family heritage.
Would almond flour work instead of “ground almonds”? It’s probably finer textured.
I believe almond flour is the same as ground almonds?
Would you clarify what "gingerbread spices" include? Ginger, cloves, nutmeg? Others? And amount of each please? Merci!
Thank you for asking, Lorene! I added a note in the recipe (which I should have thought of doing!) but here is what it is: gingerbread spice mix, pumpkin (pie) spice mix, apple pie spice mix are each a blend of ground spices for baking, so similar that they are pretty much interchangeable. The mix of spices includes cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, sometimes star anise, allspice, coriander, cardamom, and/or pepper. You can make your own or, as I do, purchase a good quality jar at the supermarket.
These look delicious, and techniques I've never tried--using confectioners sugar in place of flour to keep the dough from sticking, BAKING the meringue icing, wow! I impulse-purchased some almond paste [not marzipan] on sale and have been looking for a way to use it. Wondering if I could substitute it for the nuts? I know it has added sugar and other ingredients.
I honestly wouldn't replace the finely ground nuts for almond paste; it's not only a question of sugar but of texture. I'm not even sure it would work in this recipe.
My German born immigrant grandparents made these at Christmas and mailed them to us. We loved them. I made them once from Grandma's recipe but the quantity was huge. I like this recipe as ingredients are smaller amounts. Can't wait to get the almonds and try them, even though it is past Christmas. Thank you!
These are delicious any time! Let me know how they come out and if you like them!
Yummy, me and my little daughter will love these, thanks for sharing the recipe 💜
Let me know how they turn out! Happy holidays, Judith!
Fabulous! Chewy and crunchy! I found that I needed more meringue for icing, so in the future I will increase the egg white and powdered sugar accordingly.
Yes, I think that's a great idea... I'm always afraid of running out so I don't put enough on each star!
I made them for the kids.also VANILLE GIPFERLN. my mother gave me her handwritten receipt. She was born on the Italian side of TYROL. Austrian cuisine mixed in there.
Cool! Now I have to make those!
My 92-year-old German-born second cousin Ursula used to make these Zimtsterne cookies every year with her children for Hanukkah, along with Lebkuchen. I always meant to ask her for the recipe but never got around to it, so thanks so much for sharing this, Jamie! The connection with Alsace-Lorraine is really interesting. I hope I can still make them in time for the holidays.
Happy Hanukkah, Ruth!!! I love knowing that these were and are made for Hanukkah as well as Christmas!
Lovely! They look delicious and really interesting to read some background about it too. ☺️
Thank you, Vanna!
Thank you for sharing their incredible story. I always see them but never make them. I’m going to ask my mother to start baking.
This reminds me of a slightly German influenced childhood and our cooking experiences.
We did have links and Christmas Eve was the special day for us kids, rounded off by opening grandmother’s large parcel box and eating these cookies by the tree.
We used to help make them as well as mince pies for the English half of our family heritage.
Ah, mixed cultural traditions are the best!