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September 16, 2025
Marranitos (Mexican Pig-Shaped Cookies) Recipe
Marranitos, also called cochinos or puerquitos in various Mexican-American communities, are often known as Gingerbread Pigs though they represent distinctly Mexican cookie traditions with unique flavors. These traditional pig-shaped cookies showcase Mexican bakery artistry while the familiar shapes make them appealing to children and adults alike. The distinctive flavoring sets these apart from typical gingerbread while the traditional shapes connect families to Mexican cultural heritage.
Marranitos (or cochinos, or puerquitos, as are they are called in some Mexican-American communities) are often called Gingerbread Pigs, although they don’t actually have ginger in them. The flavor comes from the molasses. This recipe is a trans-pecos region variation which uses the non-traditional addition of cinnamon.
Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
35 mins
Servings:
15
Yield:
15 large cookies
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Ingredients
1 ¼ cups packed brown sugar
¼ cup shortening
1 egg
¼ cup milk
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup unsulfured molasses
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
6 cups all-purpose flour
1 egg, beaten
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
Beat brown sugar and shortening together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Beat in 1 egg, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in molasses, baking soda, and cinnamon. Mix in flour until the dough is stiff enough to roll out.
Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into cookies using a pig-shaped cookie cutter. Place cookies 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Brush the tops of the cookies with beaten egg.
Bake in the preheated oven until risen and edges are lightly browned, about 15 to 17 minutes. Cool briefly on cookie sheets; serve warm or transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Cook’s Note
You may wish to add a bit of dry ground ginger, and you may use a milk wash instead of an egg wash.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
| 359 | Calories |
| 5g | Fat |
| 73g | Carbs |
| 6g | Protein |
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| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings Per Recipe 15 | |
| Calories 359 | |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Total Fat 5g | 6% |
| Saturated Fat 1g | 6% |
| Cholesterol 25mg | 8% |
| Sodium 151mg | 7% |
| Total Carbohydrate 73g | 27% |
| Dietary Fiber 2g | 5% |
| Total Sugars 30g | |
| Protein 6g | 12% |
| Calcium 78mg | 6% |
| Iron 4mg | 20% |
| Potassium 415mg | 9% |
* 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.
