Cinnamon Almond Stars with Sugar Glaze

Ingredients

• 4 egg whites
• 1 pinch salt
• 300 g sugar
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp cinnamon powder
• 1 tsp gingerbread spice
• 350 g ground almonds (unshelled)
• flour for dusting (or ground nuts)

Instructions

1. 1.

   Beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff. Gradually add the sugar, whisking until a smooth foam forms. Fold in the lemon juice to keep it glossy and stiff. Set aside 3-4 tbsp of the mixture for the glaze, chilled.

2. 2.

   In the remaining foam, fold in the almonds mixed with cinnamon and optional gingerbread spice. Whisk into a smooth dough.

3. 3.

   Dust a work surface with flour or ground nuts. Roll out the dough to 6‑8 mm thickness and cut out star shapes. Place them on parchment paper-lined tray and brush with the reserved glaze.

4. 4.

   Let the stars dry at room temperature overnight for best texture.

5. 5.

   Preheat the oven to 120 °C (250 °F) with even heat.

6. 6.

   Bake the dried stars for about 25 minutes longer than usual, just until the glaze lightly browns. Cool on the tray before serving.