Nut and Spice Cookie Recipes - Vanilla-Glazed Stars

 

Ingredients 

• 3 large egg whites

• 1 1/2 cups/225 g confectioners'/icing sugar

• 1/8 tsp cream of tartar

• 4 cups/600 g finely ground almonds

• 2 tsp vanilla sugar

• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract/essence

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Method:

1. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Beat the egg whites in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until frothy.

2. With mixer at high speed, gradually add the confectioners' sugar and lemon juice until stiff, glossy peaks form. Spoon 1 cup (250 ml) beaten whites into a small bowl and set aside in the refrigerator as a glaze.

3. Use a large rubber spatula to fold 3 cups (450 g) almonds, the vanilla sugar, and vanilla into the large bowl of beaten whites.

4. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 275°F/140°C/gas 1. Sprinkle a lightly floured surface with the remaining ground almonds.

5. Roll out the dough in small portions to a thickness of 1/2 inch (1 cm). Dip a star cutter into cold water and stamp out star shapes.

6. Gather the dough scraps, re-roll, and continue cutting out cookies until all the dough is used. Use a spatula to transfer the cookies to the cookie sheets, placing them 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart.

7. Brush a thin layer of reserved chilled egg white over each star. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until firm to the touch. Cool completely on the cookie sheets.