Biscochitos
The official state cookie of New Mexico, Biscochitos or bizcochitos are a crisp lard- or butter-based cookie, flavored with cinnamon and anise.
Servings 5 dozen
Ingredients
- 6 cups flour
- 3 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp crushed anise seed
- 2 cups pure lard (1 lb)
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1½ cups sugar
- ½ cup brandy
Topping Ingredients
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, stir flour, baking powder, salt and anise seed together.
- In separate bowl beat the eggs, lard and sugar together.
- Mix the dry ingredients into the beaten ingredients.
- Add the water or sweet wine.
- Working with ½ the dough at a time, on a lightly floured surface, roll to ⅛ inch thickness. Cut into the desired shapes.
- Dip the cookies into the topping ingredients (already mixed together). Place on an un-greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until done.
Notes
Vegetable shortening or butter may be used as a substitute for lard.
Bourbon, sherry, milk or water may be used as a substitute for brandy.
Fleur-de-lis is the traditional shape.