Introduction
Cinnamon stars are a delightful holiday treat that fills the air with a warm, spicy aroma. These delicious biscuits are not only visually appealing but also incredibly flavorful. Perfect for sharing with loved ones, they make an ideal addition to any festive gathering. This recipe will guide you through the process of creating these exquisite cinnamon stars from scratch.
Detailed Ingredients with measures
– 250g all-purpose flour
– 100g powdered sugar
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1 large egg
– 100g unsalted butter, softened
– A pinch of salt
– Optional: Icing sugar for dusting
Prep Time
The preparation for cinnamon stars takes about 20 minutes, allowing you enough time to mix and assemble all the ingredients needed for these delightful cookies.
Cook Time, Total Time, Yield
The cooking time for these cookies is approximately 10-12 minutes. In total, including prep and cooking time, you can expect to spend around 30-35 minutes. This recipe yields around 25 cinnamon stars, making it perfect for sharing. Enjoy these treats fresh out of the oven or stored in an airtight container for later indulgence.
Detailed Directions and Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Begin by combining the flour, butter, sugar, and spices in a large mixing bowl. Use your hands or a mixer to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Step 2: Add Liquid Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and milk. Gradually add this mixture to the flour mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
Step 3: Knead the Dough
Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead it gently for a few minutes until smooth.
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow it to firm up.
Step 5: Roll Out the Dough
After chilling, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 0.5 cm thickness.
Step 6: Cut the Shapes
Use star-shaped cookie cutters to cut out the dough. Gather the scraps, knead them together, and roll out again to cut more stars.
Step 7: Prepare for Baking
Place the cut-out dough stars on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Step 8: Bake the Stars
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and bake the stars for about 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden.
Step 9: Cool the Cookies
Once baked, 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.
Step 10: Prepare the Icing
While the cookies are cooling, mix powdered sugar with a little water to create a thick icing. Adjust the consistency as needed.
Step 11: Decorate the Stars
Once the cookies have cooled, drizzle or spread the icing over the stars as desired.
Notes
Note 1: Storage
Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container to maintain their freshness.
Note 2: Customize the Icing
Feel free to add food coloring to the icing for a festive touch or sprinkle colored sugar for extra decoration.
Note 3: Flavor Variations
Experiment with other spices, such as nutmeg or vanilla extract, to add different flavors to the dough.
Note 4: Serving Suggestions
These cookies can be enjoyed on their own or served alongside hot beverages like tea or coffee.