Biscochitos

Today is Cinco de Mayo! We celebrated by making the state cookie of New Mexico. They are delicious.

*Preheat oven to 350.
*Makes about 4 dozen 2-inch cookies

1 cup lard (not shortening)
2/3 cup sugar
1 egg
4 Tbsp. Orange Juice
3/4 to 1 tsp. lightly crushed anise seed
3 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup sugar mixed with 1 tsp. ground cinnamon

Beat lard with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Slowly beat in the 2/3 cup sugar, then the egg. Beat in 4 Tbsp orange juice and the anise seed. Toss the flour together with the baking powder and salt. Gently stir in, adding more orange juice as needed to form a soft dough. Let stand for 10 minutes or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 15 minutes.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out 1/4 inch thick and cut into shapes as desired. Dip the top side of each cookie in the cinnamon-sugar and place on ungreased cookie sheets, about 1 inch apart. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, depending upon size, just until the edges turn a pale blond. Let cool a few minutes then remove to a wire rack to cool. Store in a cookie jar or airtight container.