Marranitos (Little Pigs)

These delicious cookies are also known as Puerquitos. They are reminiscent of gingerbread and are a traditional Mexican pan dulce. Living in the Southwest we are able to buy these in the bakeries, but they really are so much better when they're homemade.

Prep: 15 min | Cook: 17 min

Ingredients

Cookies

• 1 1/4 cups packed, grated piloncillo or brown sugar
• 1/4 cup vegetable shortening
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup unsulphured molasses
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup milk
• 6 cups all-purpose flour

Egg wash

• 1 egg

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

Cookies

1. In a large mixing bowl, stir together brown sugar, shortening, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and vanilla extract until the mixture forms a firm paste.
2. Add, mixing after each addition until blended, the molasses, egg and milk.
3. Gradually add the flour, mixing to form a dough; Roll dough out to about 1/4 inch thick; cut with a large pig-shaped cutter.
4. Place each marranito on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Brush with Egg Wash.
6. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes, or until browned.

Egg Wash

1. In a cup or small bowl, beat egg.
2. Using a pastry brush, paint tops of marranitos lightly with beaten egg.