Biscochitos
Biscochitos are the Official State Cookie of New Mexico. After visiting New Mexico a few times we thought we needed a taste of those delicious little cookies at home here in Nova Scotia. They have a licorice flavour thanks to the anise seed and everyone loves them at first bite.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups lard, chilled
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 4 cups flour
- 2 teas anise seed, ground
- 2 teas baking powder
- 1/2 teas salt
- 2 tbls vodka
- 2 teas anise extract
- 1 teas brandy extract
- 3 tbls sugar
- 1 teas cinnamon
Directions
- Stir flour, ground anise, baking powder and salt in a small bowl.
- Beat lard and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer until fluffy. Add eggs and beat until very fluffy.
- Add the vodka, anise and brandy extract to the creamed mixture.
- Add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture. Mix thoroughly to make a stiff dough.
- Divide in half and place each half on a large piece of plastic wrap. Flatten to about 1″ thick and refrigerate until chilled (several hours or overnight)
- Combine 3 tbls sugar and 1 teas cinnamon on a plate or shallow bowl.
- Roll out each piece of dough in the plastic wrap to 1/4″ thickness. Using a flour dusted cookie cutter, cut into 3″ rounds and dip in cinnamon sugar (one side only).
- Place on ungreased baking sheet and bake at 350 F for 10-12 minutes.
Notes
- Always use room temperature eggs.
- I use two 1′ X 1/4″ wood strips under the rolling pin to get the 1/4″ thickness for the cookie dough
Serves: 2 dozen cookies
Difficulty: easy