Biscochitos - New Mexico’s State Cookie

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup lard
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground or whole anise seed
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup Kahlua (OR milk OR soy milk)

TOPPING

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. 2

   Sift flour with baking powder and salt.

3. 3

   In a separate bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, cream lard with sugar and anise seeds until fluffy.

4. 4

   Beat in egg until incorporated.

5. 5

   On low speed, add milk and flour mixture to lard mixture until incorporated.

6. 6

   Turn dough out on lightly floured board, knead gently to form a ball, then press to 1/4 inch thickness.

7. 7

   Cut into shapes OR roll into balls (~1 inch in size).*.

8. 8

   Toss shapes in cinnamon and sugar topping.**.

9. 9

   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.

10. 10

    *If you roll them into balls, be sure to press them down slightly with a fork after positioning them onto baking sheets.

11. 11

    **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.