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New Mexico Symbols, State Cookie: Bizcochito

Bizcochito

Adopted in 1989.

Bizcochito (bees-ko-CHEE-toh)

This act made New Mexico the first state to have an official cookie. The biscochito is a small anise flavored, shortbread cookie used during special celebrations, wedding receptions, baptisms, and religious days, continuing a tradition brought by the Spaniards. It was chosen to help maintain traditional home baked cookery

In 1989, Frances Mitchelle Maldonado, (owner of Enchantment Delights in Albuquerque and was famous for baking her delicious Josecito-Biscochitos) worked on passing New Mexico House Bill 406 declaring the Bizcochito as the official State Cookie.

Bizcochito recipe
(Note: There is no "State Recipe" for the State Cookie.)

1 pound pure lard
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
6 cups flour
1/4 cup red wine
2 tsp. anise seed (slightly crushed)
1 cup sugar mixed with 2-3 tsp. cinnamon

Cream lard until fluffy. Add sugar slowly gradually, beating well. Add eggs one at a time beating well. Add anise seed. Mix in flour by hand, using enough wine to make dough soft. Let stand about 10 minutes.

Use cookie press or roll out dough on lightly floured board and cut into squares. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes on ungreased cookie sheets. Remove from sheets while hot and dip top side in sugar/cinnamon mixture.

The recipe donor said, "Cooking sherry or brandy can be used and lard is a must even if the health conscious cringe. The lard is what makes them light. You can't make bizcochitos without lard."
 

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