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September 16, 2025
Biscochitos Traditional Cookies Recipe
Biscochitos represent traditional New Mexico Christmas cookies flavored with distinctive cinnamon, anise, and brandy that are usually made during holiday celebrations for authentic regional treats. These traditional cookies showcase New Mexican baking heritage while the unique flavor combination sets them apart from typical holiday cookies. The anise and brandy create sophisticated taste profiles while maintaining the comfort food appeal that makes these essential holiday traditions.
Biscochitos are a traditional New Mexico Christmas cookie flavored with cinnamon, anise, and brandy. They are usually made in the fleur-de-lis shape but you can use your favorite cookie cutters.
Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
30 mins
Servings:
72
Yield:
6 dozen cookies
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Anise-spiced biscochitos are a New Mexican staple — and for good reason! This biscochito recipe is sweet, spicy, cozy, and utterly irresistible.
What Are Biscochitos?
Biscochitos are sweet, crisp butter cookies spiced with cinnamon and anise. The cookies, which originated in New Mexico, were developed over centuries and inspired by a mix of local cuisines. Biscochito dough is rolled thin, cut into shapes (traditionally the fleur-de-lis, but often stars), and sprinkled with cinnamon-sugar before baking.
How to Make Biscochitos
You’ll find the step-by-step recipe below, but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make these biscochitos:
- Mix the dry ingredients in one bowl.
- Beat lard and sugar in another bowl. Add the anise and eggs.
- Stir in the flour mixture to form a dough.
- Roll out the dough, cut into shapes, and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar.
- Bake in the preheated oven until the edges are golden brown.
How to Store Biscochitos
Store the (completely cooled) biscochitos in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days.
Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise
“I made this recipe with one addition,” according to jencancook. “I added a teaspoon of liquid anise extract. They came out delicious! I’m a native New Mexican having grown up on biscochitos, these cookies really bring back memories.”
“DELICIOUS! These cookies bring back memories of baking at Xmas with my Grandmother!” raves CiaoHound. “I use anise liquid instead of seeds, the taste spreads through the cookies. At Christmas, you can coat them with red & green sugar sprinkles.”
“It’s just like my mom/grandma/aunts used to make growing up,” says Cyndi Moreno-Nieuwenhuis. “Although I used port wine instead of brandy because that’s what I remember my mom stating years ago. Will definitely save this recipe!! LOVED how they turned out!!”
Editorial contributions by Corey Williams
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Ingredients
6 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
2 cups lard, softened
1 ½ cups white sugar
2 teaspoons anise seed
2 large eggs
¼ cup brandy
¼ cup white sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl; set aside.
Beat lard and 1 ½ cups sugar together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add anise seed and beat until fluffy. Stir in eggs, one at a time. Add brandy; stir in flour mixture to form a dough.
Roll dough with a floured rolling pin to a thickness of 1/4 or 1/2 inch. Cut dough with a fleur-de-lis cookie cutter, or other simple shape. Place cookies onto ungreased baking sheets. Mix 1/4 cup of sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl; sprinkle over cookies.
Bake in the preheated oven until the edges are golden brown, about 10 minutes.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
| 112 | Calories |
| 6g | Fat |
| 13g | Carbs |
| 1g | Protein |
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| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings Per Recipe 72 | |
| Calories 112 | |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Total Fat 6g | 8% |
| Saturated Fat 2g | 11% |
| Cholesterol 11mg | 4% |
| Sodium 30mg | 1% |
| Total Carbohydrate 13g | 5% |
| Dietary Fiber 0g | 1% |
| Total Sugars 5g | |
| Protein 1g | 3% |
| Vitamin C 0mg | 0% |
| Calcium 15mg | 1% |
| Iron 1mg | 3% |
| Potassium 15mg | 0% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.
