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Although history doesn’t reveal the origin of these cookies, it’s believed that they were created by the descendants of the early Spanish settlers in New Mexico. Traditionally they are served at the holiday season and can be found gracing tables after the lighting of the luminaries on Christmas Eve. They are so popular that they have been declared the Official State Cookie. New Mexico is probably the only state that has one! These flaky cookies with a hint of anise must be prepared with lard for the traditional taste, although shortening can be substituted.
| Servings |
| 3-4 dozen depending on shape |
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Although history doesn’t reveal the origin of these cookies, it’s believed that they were created by the descendants of the early Spanish settlers in New Mexico. Traditionally they are served at the holiday season and can be found gracing tables after the lighting of the luminaries on Christmas Eve. They are so popular that they have been declared the Official State Cookie. New Mexico is probably the only state that has one! These flaky cookies with a hint of anise must be prepared with lard for the traditional taste, although shortening can be substituted.
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Ingredients
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 8 ounces vegetable shortening or lard
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp anise seed
- 3 cups flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Cinnamon Sugar
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Servings: dozen depending on shape
Units:
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- To make the cinnamon sugar, combine the ingredients in a small bowl and set it aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the sugar and shortening together. Add the eggs, vanilla, and anise seed, and continue beating until the mixture is creamy.
- In another bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together.
- Add the dry ingredients to the shortening mixture, a little at a time, and beat to mix well after each addition. Continue until all the flour has been incorporated and a stiff, smooth dough. Do not refrigerate as the dough needs to be warm to hold together.
- To roll out the cookies, place a ball of dough about 3 or 4-inches in diameter on a lightly floured surface. Roll out using a very light stroke with a rolling pin. The dough should resemble pie pastry more than cookie dough.
- Using a sharp knife or cookie cutter, cut the dough into the desired shape. Dust with the cinnamon sugar and place on a lightly oiled baking pan.
- Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, remove, and cool the cookies on a rack.
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