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Biscochitos

December 5, 2019 26 Comments

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A traditional cookie from New Mexico, these Biscochitos are perfect for the holiday season!

Overhead photo of biscochitos cookies in a round cookie tin

It’s time folks. Time for holiday cookies! Are you ready?

I’ve been baking up a storm and I’m so excited to share my first cookie recipe of the season.

These Biscochitos are BEYOND delicious!

I saw the recipe in America’s Test Kitchen’s book, The Perfect Cookie and knew I’d have to share it this Christmas.

Biscochitos cookies in a round cookie tin

 

So what is a Biscochito?

Biscochitos are the official state cookie of New Mexico where they’re served at all kinds of special celebrations and especially during the Christmas season.

They were introduced in the 16th century by the early Spaniards.

 

Biscochitos cookies on a gold baking sheet

 

What’s in a Biscochito?

It’s a shortbread cookie flavored with anise seed that’s traditionally made with lard, but since lard isn’t always available, the folks at America’s Test Kitchen have used a combination of butter and shortening to give these beauties their rich flavor and signature tender texture.

This classic cookie is dipped in a mixture of cinnamon sugar once it’s still warm from the oven which make them the coziest cookie ever.

 

Biscochitos cookies on a gold baking sheet

If you’re a regular here at the BHK, you know I LOVE the licorice flavor of anise seed. AND that I’m a huge lover of shortbread cookies. So these biscochitos push all my buttons.

When I made these a few weeks back at the beach I shared with friends. It was hard to share. Really hard. But everyone loved them.

Overhead photo of biscochitos cookies in a round cookie tin

These have WINNER of the Holiday Cookie Swap written all over them guys!

Perfect alongside a cup of holiday hot cocoa. Enjoy!

Pre-baked biscochitos cookies a marble board with a rolling pin

 

A Few Cook’s Notes for Biscochitos Recipe:

You can’t let the cookies cool for more than five minutes or the cinnamon sugar mixture won’t adhere.

I used a 1 1/4-inch x 2-inch cookie cutter.

I have made this recipe with ground anise seeds according to the recipe from the Test Kitchen and with whole anise seeds. Both ways work.

 

A few other favorite holiday cookies are my Chocolate Shortbread Holiday Cutout Cookies, my Mexican Chocolate Sandwich Cookies with Dulce de Leche Filling and my Almond Meltaways.

Overhead photo of biscochitos cookies in a round cookie tin

5 from 13 votes
Overhead photo of biscochitos cookies in a round cookie tin
Print
Biscochitos
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Chilling Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr 5 mins
 

A traditional cookie from New Mexico, these Biscochitos are perfect for the holiday season!

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: New Mexican, Spanish
Keyword: cookie
Servings: 44 cookies
Calories: 84 kcal
Author: MaryAnn Dwyer
Ingredients
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1 Tbsp. anise seeds
  • 8 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
  • 8 Tbsp. vegetable shortening, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
  1. In a small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon. Pour 1/2 cup of this mixture into a small, shallow bowl. In a spice grinder, grind anise seeds until they are finely ground.

  2. Beat butter, shortening, salt, remaining 1/2 cup of cinnamon sugar mixture and ground anise seeds in the the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down bowl as needed. Add the egg yolk and vanilla and continue to beat until combined. Reduce the speed to low and add the flour. Mix until a dough begins to form, about 10-12 seconds.

  3. Roll dough into a 9-inch circle, 1/2-inch thick on a sheet of parchment paper. Transfer the dough on the parchment to a large baking sheet and refrigerate until firm, about 25-30 minutes.

  4. Place oven racks in upper-middle and lower-middle positions. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two large baking sheets with parchment. Transfer chilled dough to cutting board. Cut into shapes using cookie cutter or pizza cutter. Space evenly on prepared sheets, about 20 per sheet.

  5. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until cookies are set and just beginning to brown, switching trays halfway through. Let cookies cool for just 5 minutes on tray. Gently toss warm cookies in reserved cinnamon sugar mixture. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Nutrition Facts
Biscochitos
Amount Per Serving
Calories 84 Calories from Fat 45
% Daily Value*
Fat 5g8%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Cholesterol 10mg3%
Sodium 23mg1%
Potassium 11mg0%
Carbohydrates 9g3%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 5g6%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 73IU1%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 5mg1%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

BEFORE YOUR FIRST BITE, SNAP A PHOTO & SHARE!

If you make this recipe, I'd love to see! Be sure to follow thebeachhousekitchen on Instagram and tag #thebeachhousekitchen

Thanks so much!

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Filed Under: Sweets Tagged With: #Christmas #holiday, anise, cookies, desserts, New Mexico

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Comments

  1. 2pots2cook says

    December 5, 2019 at 6:34 am

    Running to you like Speedy Gonzales :-) Arriba arriba …

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      December 5, 2019 at 6:47 am

      Woohoo! I’ll save you some Davorka!

      Reply
  2. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

    December 5, 2019 at 7:06 am

    Anise seeds and cinnamon? I bet these smell AMAZING as they bake! Can’t wait to try! They’d be perfect left out for Santa ;) Pinned!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      December 5, 2019 at 7:09 am

      PERFECT for Santa! That is if you don’t eat them all first like me! Happy almost the weekend!

      Reply
  3. Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says

    December 5, 2019 at 8:35 am

    I am loving the sounds of these cookies! I love the spicing and so perfect for the holiday cookie tin :)

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      December 5, 2019 at 9:13 am

      They’re my new favorite holiday cookie Jennifer!

      Reply
  4. annie@ciaochowbambina says

    December 5, 2019 at 8:53 am

    Time for holiday cookies? I’m ready!! These sound amazing, my friend! Pinned!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      December 5, 2019 at 9:13 am

      Soooooo good Annie! A new fave this season! Thanks so much for pinning.

      Reply
  5. Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says

    December 5, 2019 at 9:57 am

    Biscochitos are awesome! And yours are so pretty! I think I need to bake a batch soon!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      December 5, 2019 at 1:14 pm

      They are so easy and so delicious! Those warm spices are just perfect!

      Reply
  6. Leanne says

    December 5, 2019 at 2:36 pm

    These look wonderful Mary Ann! I need to bake more with anise seed. The way you’ve described these cookies sounds like they would melt in your mouth. And definitely perfect for a holiday cookie exchange!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      December 5, 2019 at 5:27 pm

      They totally melt in your mouth Leanne! I hope you give them a go this cookie season!

      Reply
  7. Cheyanne says

    December 5, 2019 at 5:23 pm

    I’ve never had Biscochitos before, but boy-oh-boy do they look delicious!!! I love shortbread cookies and anything cinnamon sugar makes my heart go pitter-patter, so I’m 10000000% sure I’d absolutely adore these cookies! I’ll have to make a double batch because they would make a wonderful gift, but you know I’m going to need an entire batch for myself!!! ;) ‘Tis the season for all the cookies!! Pinned!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      December 5, 2019 at 5:28 pm

      Just sayin’, I had a hard time sharing Chey! This is my kinda cookie! Hope you give them a try!

      Reply
  8. Matt - Total Feasts says

    December 5, 2019 at 5:44 pm

    These biscochitos have flavours that I LOVE! I agree with you, they will be brilliant with a good cup of hot chocolate!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      December 5, 2019 at 10:09 pm

      I hope you give them a try Matt! The recipe from America’s Test Kitchen is superb!

      Reply
  9. Katherine | Love In My Oven says

    December 6, 2019 at 1:43 am

    These are definitely my kind of cookie! I LOVE star anise too. It would make for such a warming, buttery cookie! I’ll take a dozen!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      December 6, 2019 at 11:20 am

      You got it Katherine! They’re so delicious!

      Reply
  10. Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says

    December 6, 2019 at 8:43 am

    Who knew states had a state cookie! I’m curious as to how many do…in the meantime I will be enjoying these beautiful little bites! They do indeed look like a perfect cookie. I love the flavor of anise and these would be perfect with a nice cup of coffee.

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      December 6, 2019 at 11:20 am

      You’d really enjoy them Kathy! We LOVE them!

      Reply
  11. Traci | Vanilla And Bean says

    December 6, 2019 at 2:56 pm

    Oh my gosh! You had me at anise! They’re so pretty and I can see how they’d WIN the cookie swap! Such a delightful cookie Mare!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      December 6, 2019 at 3:00 pm

      My favorite cookie this holiday season Traci!

      Reply
  12. Kelly | Foodtasia says

    December 7, 2019 at 7:44 am

    Mary Ann, I must add these to my holiday cookies this year! Love the cinnamon and anise flavors. Such a pretty little cookie!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      December 7, 2019 at 10:50 am

      They’re so delicious Kelly! The Test Kitchen nailed this recipe!

      Reply
  13. Marissa says

    December 11, 2019 at 7:22 pm

    Love the anise in these, Mary Ann! So much flavor and I bet they smell amazing as they bake. Also, I must get that cookie cutter – it’s adorable.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Chocolate Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies | The Beach House Kitchen says:
    December 16, 2019 at 5:30 am

    […] started here at the BHK with Biscochitos, a new holiday favorite, moved on to my Apple Pie Spice Drops, now today’s super yummy […]

    Reply

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