Biscochitos
Biscochitos
Want to learn how to make the New Mexican state cookie? Here is a fail-proof and super easy recipe for homemade biscochitos, a lard-based cookie that is flavored with star anise and cinnamon. They’re often served during celebrations like weddings, baptisms, and religious holidays, like Christmas.Recipe courtesy of New Mexican Foodie
Prep Time
30
minutes
Cook Time
20
minutes
Servings
18
Total time: 50 minutes
Ingredients
- 3 cup all purpose flour
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 pound lard
- 3/4 cup sugar, divided
- 1 teaspoon anise seeds
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoon brandy or white wine
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions
- Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
- Add lard to a to a bowl and beat with an electric or stand mixer.
- Slowly add in 1/2 cup of sugar and continue beating for 8 – 10 minutes, until mixture is fluffy and light.
- Add in anise seed, egg, and brandy or wine.
- Mix until blended.
- Slowly add in flour mixture, beating well after each addition, and scraping the sides of the bowl as you go.
- Continue until mixture is fully incorporated and dough is similar to pie-crust.
- Transfer dough to parchment paper and refrigerate 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- After dough rests, roll dough out on a floured surface until it’s 1/4″ thick.
- Use a cookie cutter or the lid of a Mason jar to cut shapes out, transferring them to an ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake cookies in preheated oven for 10 – 12 minutes, until they start to lightly brown.
- While the cookies are baking, mix together remaining 1/4 cup sugar with ground cinnamon.
- Once cookies are baked, dip top of the cookie in the sugar/cinnamon mixture.
- Store cookies in air-tight container for up to 2 weeks.