New Mexico Bite Size Biscochitos

Biscochitos were introduced by the Spanish in Mexico sometime in the 16th century.  They have been and are called biscochitos, bizcochitos, polvornes, mantecados, and Mexican wedding cookies.  The cookies were sprinkled with white powered sugar for traditional weddings to signify purity or so everything was white.  The wedding cookie over time has morphed a bit into a sweeter cookie than the traditional biscochito.   Recipes throughout New Mexico and Northern Mexico will vary depending on who you talk to, but generally they are a short bread cookie made with either lard, shortening, or butter, flavored with different amounts of anise and cinnamon.  It is a very pleasant tasting cookie that is not overly sweet.  In 1989 it was made the "Official State Cookie" of New Mexico although the legislature argued for some time as to how to spell it, ether with a z or an s, the the spelling "Bizcochito" winning the debate.  Regardless of you choose to spell it New Mexicans pronounce it, "Bis-co-c