A traditional cookie from New Mexico, these Biscochitos are perfect for the holiday season!
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.
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.
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.
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.
These have WINNER of the Holiday Cookie Swap written all over them guys!
Perfect alongside a cup of holiday hot cocoa. Enjoy!
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.
Biscochitos
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Running to you like Speedy Gonzales :-) Arriba arriba …
Woohoo! I’ll save you some Davorka!
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!
PERFECT for Santa! That is if you don’t eat them all first like me! Happy almost the weekend!
I am loving the sounds of these cookies! I love the spicing and so perfect for the holiday cookie tin :)
They’re my new favorite holiday cookie Jennifer!
Time for holiday cookies? I’m ready!! These sound amazing, my friend! Pinned!
Soooooo good Annie! A new fave this season! Thanks so much for pinning.
Biscochitos are awesome! And yours are so pretty! I think I need to bake a batch soon!
They are so easy and so delicious! Those warm spices are just perfect!
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!
They totally melt in your mouth Leanne! I hope you give them a go this cookie season!
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!
Just sayin’, I had a hard time sharing Chey! This is my kinda cookie! Hope you give them a try!
These biscochitos have flavours that I LOVE! I agree with you, they will be brilliant with a good cup of hot chocolate!
I hope you give them a try Matt! The recipe from America’s Test Kitchen is superb!
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!
You got it Katherine! They’re so delicious!
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.
You’d really enjoy them Kathy! We LOVE them!
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!
My favorite cookie this holiday season Traci!
Mary Ann, I must add these to my holiday cookies this year! Love the cinnamon and anise flavors. Such a pretty little cookie!
They’re so delicious Kelly! The Test Kitchen nailed this recipe!
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.
Hi,
I’m going to try and make your Biscochitos.
Have two questions:
How many cookies are included inA serving (to make the 84 calories)?
Where can I purchase the cookie cutter shown in your photos?
Many thanks,
Andreae
Hi Andreae. It’s 84 calories per cookie and I purchased that cookie cutter as part of a set from Williams-Sonoma last year. It’s still available and it’s listed under thumbprint Cookie Stamp, set of 3. Enjoy!
This is NOT a traditional New Mexico Biscochito recipe. Traditional is always made with lard. You can make a “variation”with shortening or butter. After cookie cutting then dip in a sugar cinnamon & then bake with this on top not afterwards. Look for a true recipe in NM Magazine not AmericaTest Kitchen
Hi Cindy. Feel free to use any biscochito recipe you prefer. I chose to share the recipe from America’s Test Kitchen because not all people can find lard and it’s absolutely delicious!