Monday Christmas Cookie (3) - Cinnamon Hearts

Another traditional cookie in our Christmas family - nutty, lemony with a hint of alcohol, simply festive. The best thing about them (among all those other unhealthy Christmas treats) is, that they are gluten-free, meaning no flour is used whatsoever. Another interesting thing about these little hearts is that they need to dry overnight before they are baked. Unusual...
Originally, these cookies are star shaped in order to contribute to the snowy white madness. This year, my parents decided to bake hearts instead. Does it really matter? As long as they taste good.

CINNAMON HEARTS:
(Škoricové srdiečka)

prep time: 1 hour + 1 hour in the fridge + overnight to dry
makes: 70 stars

• 5 egg whites
• salt
• 450 g sugar
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 20 ml cherry liquor
• 500 g almonds, blended
  

Whisk the egg whites together with salt and add the sugar. Foam up nicely. Keep 1/3 aside for topping. Slowly add the lemon zest and the liquor. At last, blend in the almonds and form to a dough. Roll out to a 1/2 cm thick dough, cut out 70 stars / hearts and brush with egg whites mixture. Leave to dry at room temperature overnight. The next day, preheat the oven to 170 degrees and bake the hearts for 8 minutes.