HOW TO MAKE MARRANITOS: Easy Recipe for Mexican Gingerbread Pig-shaped Cookies/Pan Dulce

If you've ever wanted to learn How to Make Marranitos, this step-by-step video tutorial is for you. The word "marranitos" is Spanish for "little pigs." They're basically Mexican gingerbread cookies in the shape of pigs, and they're among the most popular kind of pan dulce (sweet bread). They're also known as puerquitos or cochinitos, which are just other words for pigs. This video will also show you the difference between brown sugar and piloncillo. Both are options with this easy recipe. Read on for more.

Marranitos

6 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup vegetable shortening or butter, softened
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. crushed anise seed
1 cup unsulphured molasses
1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar or ground piloncillo
2 eggs, divided (1 will be used for egg wash)
1/4 cup whole milk
pig-shaped cookie cutter

In large bowl, cream together brown sugar and softened butter or shortening. Add anise, baking soda, and cinnamon and continue to mix well. Continue to mix after adding each of the following ingredients: vanilla, molasses, one egg, milk. When everything is well combined, begin adding flour a little at a time, until all six cups are mixed in. This should form a heavy dough and will require kneading by hand. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate a minimum of 30 minutes.
When ready to bake, place chilled dough on a lightly floured surface and roll out with rolling pin to about 1/3" to 1/4" thickness. Use cookie cutter to cut pig shaped dough. Place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. In small bowl, whisk together remaining egg and brush over cookies, covering them completely with egg wash. Bake at 350º for 12 minutes.

This recipe makes 2 dozen marranitos using a 5" cookie cutter. Amounts will vary based on cookie size.

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