This is my favorite biscochitos recipe! These delicious New Mexico shortbread cookies are flavored with anise and covered in cinnamon sugar. They're perfect for using your favorite cookie cutters this Christmas season or any time of year.
I first learned about this biscochitos recipe after visiting Santa Fe on my honeymoon. My husband and I fell in love with the unique city, its history, and its blend of cultures. Biscochitos are the New Mexico state cookies and typical of Santa Fe's traditional home-baked cookery.
This biscochito recipe is adapted from The Pink Adobe Cookbook
After our honeymoon in Santa Fe, I was excited to re-create some of the delicious foods we ate in this charming city. I picked up an old copy of The Pink Adobe Cookbook at a book sale and was excited to learn some new cooking techniques.
The Pink Adobe Cookbook is a self-published recipe book by Rosalea Murphy and it embodies the artistic, eclectic spirit of Sante Fe cuisine.
The Pink Adobe Restaurant is a national treasure. It is located in a 300-year-old historic building in Sante Fe, New Mexico. It has been a Santa Fe tradition since 1944.
I'm sharing the simple biscochito recipe from the Pink Adobe recipe book with a few modifications that make it easier for bakers to get consistent results.
Special ingredients in the biscochito recipe
When you bite into a traditional biscochito, you’ll notice two very distinct characteristics.
The first thing you notice is the delicate anise flavor. This Biscochito recipe has ½ teaspoon of whole anise seeds in the dough. German, Middle Eastern and Mexican cooking uses anise seed often. It has a little bit of natural sweetness and licorice flavor.
The second thing you notice about this cookie is the crumbly, flaky texture. This traditional recipe uses a lard mixture and this creates the delicious shortbread quality of the cookie.
Resist the urge to substitute butter for the lard though, because it will change the light and flaky texture of this cookie.
Just before baking, the cookies are dipped in a cinnamon sugar mixture. This light coating creates a flavor that is delicious year-round but combined with the anise seed, tastes especially festive during the holiday season.
Supplies you’ll need to make this easy Biscochito recipe
To make these cookies you’ll need a few simple baking utensils and supplies.
- A stand mixer with a paddle attachment
- Or, an electric mixer
This way you can fully whip the fat and sugar together until light and fluffy.
Baking cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet
Contrary to what you might think, shortbread-style cookies turn out better when they are baked on an ungreased pan.
Baking on an older, well-seasoned baking pan helps the cookie hold its shape better. Don't worry though, there is enough fat in the cookie to prevent it from sticking to the pan.
My favorite supplies for rolling cookie dough
You’ll need a big enough work surface to roll out and cut the cookie dough. I like to use a rolling mat like this one. I can lift it up when I’m done and wash it in the sink without leaving a mess on the countertop!
The dough can be cut with any shape of cookie cutters you desire. To get a uniform thickness on all the cookies, I like to use these silicone rolling strips.
For the cookies pictured here, I used a 2-inch fluted cutter like these.
Easy Biscochito Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup Lard (7 oz)
- ½ cup Granulated sugar (4 oz)
- 1 Egg yolk
- 4 tablespoon Water
- ½ teaspoon Anise seed
- 3 cups All-purpose flour (14 oz)
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ cup Granulated sugar ( for dipping cookies)
- ¼ teaspoon Cinnamon (mixed with sugar for dipping)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°
- In a large bowl, sift the flour and then measure it by spooning it lightly into a measuring cup and leveling the top. Alternatively, you can also weigh the flour after sifting. Add the baking powder and salt to the flour and set aside the dry ingredients.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, or with an electric mixer cream together the lard, anise seed, and ½ cup of sugar. Beat until light and fluffy, scraping the sides of the bowl to make sure the sugar is well incorporated. Add the egg yolk and mix until smooth and blended.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and combine until the mixture looks crumbly. Add the water 1 tablespoon at a time until the mixture holds together.
- Dump the mixture out onto a work surface and knead the mixture gently until the crumbly pieces form a dough ball. Roll the dough to ¼ in thickness and cut into shapes using your cookie cutter of choice.
- Mix ¼ cup of sugar with ½ teaspoon of cinnamon for the topping. Gently press each cookie into the cinnamon sugar mixture coating the top and side of each cookie. Place cookies on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes at 350°
- Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack.
- Store cookies covered in plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to 5 days at room temperature.
For more easy recipes check out my Hello Dolly Cookie Bars or these delicious Shiny Top Brownies.
FAQs about Making Biscochitos
What is the official state cookie of New Mexico? Biscochitos are the official state cookie of New Mexico.
Can I substitute butter for lard in the recipe? It's not recommended, as lard gives the cookie its light and flaky texture.
Why use anise seeds in the dough? Anise seeds add a delicate licorice flavor and natural sweetness to the biscochitos.
How do I achieve the crumbly texture in the cookies? The crumbly texture comes from the lard mixture used in the recipe.
Can I use any shape of cookie cutters? Yes, you can use any shape of cookie cutters to cut the dough.
Should I grease the cookie sheets before baking? No, it's better to bake the cookies on ungreased sheets for better shape and texture.
What's the significance of dipping the cookies in the cinnamon-sugar mixture? The light coating adds a delicious flavor, especially fitting for festive occasions like holidays.
Can I make these cookies for special celebrations? Absolutely! Biscochitos are perfect for special celebrations and religious holidays.
Where did the original recipe come from? The recipe is adapted from The Pink Adobe Cookbook, a self-published book embodying the spirit of Sante Fe cuisine.
How long can I store the baked cookies? Store the cookies covered in plastic wrap or an airtight container for up to 5 days at room temperature.
Sam says
Hi! Can this recipe me made ahead and refrigerated or freeze for a few days?
J. C. says
Oat flour is a good substitute for white flour.