Bizcochitos

Bizcochitos, the state cookie of New Mexico.  Flavored with orange zest and anise seed, these are a unique and delicious shortbread cookie.  Original recipe use lard instead of butter, and I've read that the substitution somewhat affects the texture, but these were still top notch by my standards. 

Maybe I was inspired by the calendar on my wall with pictures of New Mexico's hot air balloon festival that my Grandma gave me...

New Mexico is known as the Land of Enchantment. 

It's also the setting of one of my favorite TV shows.

I used a recipe I found on a blog featured on Foodgawker.com:

http://www.thepastryaffair.com/blog/2011/6/25/bizcochitos.html

Bizcochitos
1 cup salted butter
3/4 cup + 1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon orange zest
1 teaspoon anise seed
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and 3/4 cup sugar. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla extract. Mix in the orange zest and anise seed.

In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and ground ginger.
Gradually beat in the flour mixture until well combined. If dough becomes too stiff for the mixer (and if you are using a hand mixer, it might), simply knead in the rest of the flour by hand. Form cookie dough into a flat round shape, cover with clear plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a small bowl, mix together remaining 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-inch thick and cut out with a cookie cutter of your choice. Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and sprinkle generously with cinnamon sugar mixture. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until cookies are lightly browned. Transfer to a cooling sheet and cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Raw cookies ready to go in the oven.  I didn't have parchment paper to line my baking pans, but found it wasn't necessary.

The cookies themselves aren't that sweet, but a sugar and cinnamon mixture is sprinkled on top to add sweetness.

Ducks in a line..

I am happy with the way that these came out, but the anise and orange zest flavor wasn't as strong as I expected it would be.  The flavors are very light and subtle, which is pleasant, but I would consider adding more seasoning next time I make these. 

Quack! (The End)