In the culinary realm of traditional cookies, "biscochitos" stand out as a delectable treat, originating from the heart of New Mexico. These enchanting cookies, pronounced "bee-shoh-chee-toh," have a rich history dating back to the 16th century, when Spanish settlers brought their culinary traditions to the region. With their crisp texture, delicate anise flavor, and a dusting of cinnamon sugar, biscochitos have become an integral part of New Mexican culture and a beloved delicacy enjoyed during festive occasions and celebrations. As you embark on a culinary journey to recreate these classic cookies, discover the secrets behind their unique taste and texture, and uncover the key ingredients that elevate biscochitos to their iconic status.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
BISCOCHITOS TRADITIONAL COOKIES
This is New Mexico's traditional cookie. A great thick sugar cookie that is dusted with cinnamon-sugar. The traditional shape is fleur-de-lis, but use your favorite cookie cutters if you like.
Provided by Anonymous
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Mexican
Time 25m
Yield 72
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a bowl, and set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the lard and 1 1/2 cups sugar until smooth. Mix in the anise seed, and beat until fluffy. Stir in the eggs one at a time. Add the sifted ingredients and brandy, and stir until well blended.
- On a floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/2 or 1/4 inch thickness, and cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters. The traditional is fleur-de-lis. Place cookies onto baking sheets. Mix together the 1/4 cup of sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over the tops of the cookies.
- Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the bottoms are lightly browned.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 113 calories, Carbohydrate 13 g, Cholesterol 10.6 mg, Fat 5.9 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 1.3 g, SaturatedFat 2.3 g, Sodium 24.2 mg, Sugar 4.9 g
BISCOCHITOS
Steps:
- Sift flour, baking powder, and salt. Cream the lard with sugar and anise seed on medium speed. In a separate bowl. beat eggs until light and fluffy. Add beaten eggs to creamed mixture. Mix together well, adding wine to form a stiff-like dough, add more wine, if necessary.
- Refrigerate dough overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Remove dough from refrigerator and let stand for a while, until dough is soft enough to roll. Divide dough in quarters and roll to about 1/16 to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutter and place on cookie sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until bottom of cookie is golden brown. Meanwhile, mix together the sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Drop the baked cookies into sugar and cinnamon mixture and set aside to cool.
BISCOCHITOS
Rendering your own lard is what really makes these anise-flavored Mexican sugar cookies stand out, but you can use vegetable shortening in a pinch. Martha made this recipe on "Martha Bakes" episode 711.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes Cookie Recipes
Yield Makes 4 dozen
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix 1 cup sugar and the lard on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add egg; beat to combine. Add vanilla, Grand Marnier, and zest; beat to combine.
- Sift flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually beat flour mixture into sugar mixture on low speed. Beat in anise seeds. On medium, gradually add 2 tablespoons water or more to form a ball. Divide dough in half; shape into disks. Wrap each disk in plastic; chill 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees with rack in center. Combine cinnamon and remaining 3/4 cup sugar in a small bowl.
- On a floured surface, roll the dough to 1/4 inch thick. Cut dough into moons, stars, or shapes you like with a 2-inch cutter; lightly sift cinnamon-sugar over each shape. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake, 1 sheet at a time, 10 to 12 minutes; cookies should be set but not brown. Transfer the cookies and parchment to a wire rack to cool. Repeat with the remaining batches.
BISCOCHITOS II
Mexican Cookies...great dunkers for coffee.
Provided by Christine J. Crabtree
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Mexican
Yield 36
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Mix together shortening, margarine and sugar with a mixture until well blended. Mix in the rest of the ingredients until smooth.
- Roll out on a floured board to 1/2 or 1/4 inch thickness.
- Cut into desired shapes and place on baking sheets. Bake until golden brown, about 10 - 12 minutes. Garnish as desired or leave plain.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 210.6 calories, Carbohydrate 24.5 g, Cholesterol 10.3 mg, Fat 11.2 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 2.6 g, SaturatedFat 2.4 g, Sodium 168.1 mg, Sugar 8.5 g
CHERRY BISCOCHITOS
I discovered the wonderful anise flavor of biscochitos, which are traditional cookies of New Mexico. I created my own version with maraschino cherries and fresh cranberries. -Mary Shivers, Ada, Oklahoma
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 55m
Yield 11 dozen.
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, cherry juice and extract. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Stir in cranberries and cherries., Divide dough in half; shape each into a disk. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 2-in. star-shaped cookie cutter. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets., Bake 7-9 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Remove from oven and immediately dust with confectioners' sugar. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool., Freeze option: Freeze cookies, layered between waxed paper, in freezer containers. To use, thaw before serving or, if desired, reheat on a baking sheet in a preheated 350° oven until warmed.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 35 calories, Fat 2g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 1mg cholesterol, Sodium 11mg sodium, Carbohydrate 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein.
BISCOCHITOS - NEW MEXICO'S STATE COOKIE
If you like snickerdoodles, you will love these tasty treats! NOTES: Biscochitos are the state cookie of New Mexico for a good reason - they're simply delicious! They are easy and fun to make, especially at Christmas time, and they store well in a tin or cookie jar for at least 2 weeks (they've never lasted longer than that at my house!). The lard is a key ingredient, important in the texture and flavor of the final cookie, so please do not replace it with another type of fat!
Provided by coolbee
Categories Dessert
Time 35m
Yield 50 cookies, 25 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Sift flour with baking powder and salt.
- In a separate bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, cream lard with sugar and anise seeds until fluffy.
- Beat in egg until incorporated.
- On low speed, add milk and flour mixture to lard mixture until incorporated.
- Turn dough out on lightly floured board, knead gently to form a ball, then press to 1/4 inch thickness.
- Cut into shapes OR roll into balls (~1 inch in size).*.
- Toss shapes in cinnamon and sugar topping.**.
- On greased baking sheets, bake for 13 to 15 minutes at 350 degrees F or until bottoms of cookies are lightly browned. Yield: about 50 small cookies.
- *If you roll them into balls, be sure to press them down slightly with a fork after positioning them onto baking sheets.
- **The easiest way to do this is to put several balls/shapes and the cinnamon and sugar into a small tupperware container. Put the lid on and shake gently.
EASY BIZCOCHITOS
Bizcochitos, with their wonderful citrus and spice flavors, are special cookies we look forward to each year. It just isn't Christmas Eve at our house if we don't have these cookies with mugs of Mexican hot chocolate.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 35m
Yield 3 dozen.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine cookie mix, flour, orange zest and aniseed. Stir in melted butter, egg and vanilla until blended., Divide dough in half. Shape each into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm enough to roll., Preheat oven to 375°. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 2-in. cookie cutter., Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. In a small bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over cookies. Bake 6-9 minutes or until edges are light brown. Remove to wire racks to cool.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 93 calories, Fat 4g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 13mg cholesterol, Sodium 52mg sodium, Carbohydrate 13g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.
Tips:
- Use unsalted butter and bring it to room temperature before creaming it with the sugar. This will help the cookies achieve a light and fluffy texture.
- Do not overmix the dough, as this can result in tough cookies. Mix just until the ingredients are well combined.
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling and baking. This will help the cookies hold their shape and prevent them from spreading too much.
- Bake the cookies in a preheated oven and keep a close eye on them, as they can burn easily.
- Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before storing them in an airtight container.
Conclusion:
Biscochitos are a delicious and festive cookie that is perfect for any occasion. With their simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, these cookies are a great choice for bakers of all skill levels. Whether you are looking for a traditional holiday treat or a sweet snack to enjoy all year round, biscochitos are sure to please. So next time you are in the mood for a tasty and authentic Mexican cookie, give biscochitos a try.
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