New Mexico Biscochos

A melt in your mouth shortbread style cinnamon cookie. It is made traditionally for the Christmas season in New Mexico households. I obtained this recipe from a friend, Namoi, who was born and raised in NM.

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Yields: 120 cookies

Ingredients

• 6  cups flour
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 3  teaspoons baking powder
• 2  cups  lard, do not substitute Crisco (mantecca)
• 12  tablespoons sugar
• 12  tablespoons  orange juice or 12  tablespoons  fruity wine
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons  anise extract
• 2  egg yolks
• 3  teaspoons cinnamon
•  cinnamon sugar
• 1  cup sugar
• 2  tablespoons cinnamon

Directions

1. Sift flour, baking powder and salt together in large bowl, set aside.
2. In mixer bowl beat the lard and sugar together until light and fluffy.
3. Add the egg yolks, cinnamon, anise extract and juice/wine. Mix till incorporated.
4. Add flour mixture to lard mixture and mix well.
5. Roll dough out onto floured counter top to 1/2" thickness. I work half the dough half at a time, rolling into a large square. Cutting into strips about 1 inch wide, then cut those strips into 2" cookies. (A ruler works great!).
6. Place cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 400°F for about 8-10 minutes.
7. While cookies are warm roll them in cinnamon sugar.