Biscochitos

Biscochito

A fresh batch of bizcochitos
Alternative names	Biscochito
Type	Cookie
Place of origin	Santa Fe de Nuevo México
Region or state	New Mexico
Main ingredients	Butter or pork lard,anise, cinnamon, flour

Bizcochito or biscochito is a crisp lard- or butter-based cookie, flavored with cinnamon and anise. The name is a Spanish diminutive form of bizcocho. The dough is rolled and traditionally cut into the shape of stars and crescent moons.

The cookie was developed by residents of New Mexico over the centuries from the first Spanish colonists of what was then known as Santa Fe de Nuevo México. The recipe for making the cookie has been greatly influenced not only by local and indigenous customs but also by recipes brought to New Mexico by immigrants from other Hispanic countries.

Bizcochitos are served during special celebrations, such as wedding receptions, baptisms, and religious holidays (especially during the Christmas season). It is commonly served along with hot chocolate. The cookie is seldom known outside the boundaries of the original Spanish province, although Spanish speakers may recognize the association with bizcocho, from the name, and may have some idea of what they must be, even if they have not encountered them before.

In 1989, the U.S. State of New Mexico made the biscochito its official state cookie. This act made New Mexico the first U.S. state to have an official state cookie. It was chosen to help maintain traditional home-baked cookery.