Bizcochito
 A fresh batch of biscochitos | |
| Alternative names | Biscochito |
|---|---|
| Type | Cookie |
| Place of origin | Nuevo México, New Spain |
| Region or state | New Mexico, USA |
| Associated national cuisine | New Mexican cuisine |
| Main ingredients | Butter or pork lard,[1] anise, cinnamon, flour |
The bizcochito (diminutive of the Spanish bizcocho; called mantecado in Spain), commonly spelled biscochito, is a crisp butter cookie of New Mexican cuisine that is usually flavored with sugar, cinnamon, and anise.[2][3] The dough is rolled thin and traditionally cut into the shape of a cultural or religious symbol (e.g., cross, star, fleur-de-lis, moon (crescent or ellipse), etc.).[4]
The cookie was developed by residents of New Mexico[5] over the centuries from the first Spanish colonists[6] of what was then known as Santa Fe de Nuevo México. The recipe for making the cookie has been greatly influenced by local and indigenous customs as well as by recipes brought to New Mexico with immigrants from other Hispanic countries.
Bizcochitos are served during special celebrations, such as wedding receptions, baptisms, and religious holidays (especially during the Christmas season).[2][7] It is commonly served along with hot chocolate.[7] 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.
State cookie
In 1989, the U.S. State of New Mexico made the bizcochito its official state cookie.[7][3] This act made New Mexico the first U.S. state to have an official state cookie.[3][8] It was chosen to help maintain traditional home-baked cookery.
See also
References
- ^ Hudgens, T. (2011). The Commonsense Kitchen: 500 Recipes + Lessons for a Hand-Crafted Life. Chronicle Books LLC. p. 542. ISBN 978-1-4521-0033-3. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
- ^ a b Cobos, R. (2003). A Dictionary of New Mexico and Southern Colorado Spanish: Revised and Expanded Edition. Museum of New Mexico Press. p. 33. ISBN 978-0-89013-537-2. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
- ^ a b c "State Symbols". state.nm.us. Archived from the original on 7 July 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
- ^ "Biscochitos: a traditional New Mexico treat". Teresa Dovalpage: a Cuban writer's blog. October 18, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
- ^ "NewMaxico, Biscochitos Recipe". Retrieved 26 January 2015.
- ^ Eisenstadt, P.; Belshaw, J. (2012). A Woman in Both Houses: My Career in New Mexico Politics. University of New Mexico Press. ISBN 978-0-8263-5025-1. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
- ^ a b c Brown, W.; Cogan, J. (2014). United Cakes of America: Recipes Celebrating Every State. ABRAMS. p. 305. ISBN 978-1-61312-795-7. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
- ^ Smith, A.F. (2007). The Oxford Companion to American Food and Drink. Oxford Companions. Oxford University Press, USA. ISBN 978-0-19-530796-2. Retrieved January 26, 2015.