New Mexico - Biscochitos


Biscochitos are anise and cinnamon flavored shortbread cookies and are the state cookie of New Mexico!  As a matter of fact, New Mexico was the first state to adopt an official "state cookie" back in 1989!  


This cookie is a Christmas tradition in New Mexico but also shows up at other special occasions like weddings, baptisms and quinceneras.  


Biscochitos led me to purchase two ingredients that I have never purchased before... see if you can guess which two?!




ingredients
3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3 teaspoons anise seeds
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 pound lard, softened
1/2 cup plus 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 Tablespoons rum, bourbon or sweet white wine


for the topping:
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 


recipe

  • sift together the flour, baking powder, anise and salt
  • beat the lard in an electric mixer, gradually adding the sugar.  cream until extremely fluffy and light, about 8 minutes
  • add the egg, followed by the bourbon, and continue beating
  • mix in the dry ingredients, adding about one-third of the mixture at a time.  stop the mixer as you make each addition, and beat no longer than necessary to incorporate the dry ingredients.  a stiff pie-crust type of dough is what you are seeking
  • chill the dough for about 15 minutes for easy handling
  • use a cookie press to form the biscochitos or roll the dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut out with small cookie cutter
  • place cookies on ungreased cookie sheets
  • preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 10 - 12 minutes until just set and pale golden.
  • while the cookies bake, stir together the topping ingredients
  • when the cookies come out of the oven, cool for just a minute or two on the baking sheets, then gently dunk the top of each in the cinnamon-sugar topping
  • transfer to absorbent paper to finish cooling
  • Biscochitos, tightly covered, will keep for at least a week.  
Note:  for authentic Biscochitos, you must use Lard



Enjoy!
mbf

6 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Approximately 4 dozen, depending on the size of your cutter.

      Delete
  2. Hi Meredith - How would I go about contacting you regarding image use? Thanks, Megan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Megan - you can email me at mfolty@gmail.com. Look forward to hearing from you!

      Delete