Hojarascas – Traditional Mexican Cinnamon Cookies

Hojarascas – Traditional Mexican Cinnamon Cookies 🌟🍪

These classic Mexican cookies are lightly spiced, melt-in-your-mouth delights perfect for any occasion, especially around the holidays.

Yields: About 45 cookies

---

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• 1 cup manteca vegetal (vegetable shortening)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup cooled cinnamon tea (made by boiling 1 cinnamon stick in 1 cup of water)

For the Coating:

• Cinnamon-sugar mixture (adjust sweetness and cinnamon to your taste)

Tools:

• A cookie cutter (hearts, stars, or festive shapes work beautifully!)

---

Instructions:

Step 1: Make the Cinnamon Tea

1. In a small pot, bring 1 cup of water and a cinnamon stick to a boil.
2. Turn off the heat and let the tea cool completely before using.

---

Step 2: Prepare the Dough

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream the shortening and sugar together until smooth and fluffy.
2. Add the salt, vanilla, and ground cinnamon, mixing well.
3. Gradually mix in half of the flour, stirring until just combined.
4. Add the remaining flour and mix until the dough starts coming together.
5. Slowly pour in ½ cup of the cooled cinnamon tea, adding just enough to bring the dough together. (You may not need the full cup.)

---

Step 3: Roll and Cut the Cookies

1. Lightly flour a clean surface and rolling pin.
2. Roll out the dough to an even thickness of about ¼ inch.
3. Use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes, and carefully transfer them to an ungreased baking sheet.

---

Step 4: Bake the Cookies

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Bake the cookies for 15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

---

Step 5: Coat the Cookies

1. Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack to prevent breaking.
2. Gently toss each cookie in a bowl of the cinnamon-sugar mixture until fully coated.

---

Serve and Enjoy:

Arrange these buttery, spiced cookies on a festive platter and enjoy with family and friends! Pair them with a steaming mug of Chocolate Abuelita or café de olla for the ultimate traditional treat.

---

Tips:

• Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
• Custom Shapes: Use seasonal cutters for added festivity.
• Adjust Sweetness: Experiment with the cinnamon-sugar ratio for the perfect coating.

¡Buen provecho! 🎉🍵