**Marranitos: A Festive Treat with a Rich History**
Marranitos, also known as Mexican Pig-Shaped Cookies, are a delightful confectionery treat deeply rooted in Mexican culture. These charming cookies, shaped like adorable pigs, hold a significant place in Mexican cuisine and are often associated with celebrations, festivals, and special occasions. The origins of Marranitos can be traced back to pre-Hispanic times, where pigs were considered symbols of fertility and abundance. Over the centuries, the tradition of baking Marranitos has been passed down from generation to generation, evolving into a beloved culinary art form. With their intricate designs and irresistible flavors, Marranitos have become an integral part of Mexican culinary heritage and continue to captivate the hearts of people worldwide.
**A Journey Through the Recipes:**
1. **Classic Marranitos:** Dive into the realm of traditional Marranitos with this classic recipe. Using simple yet authentic ingredients, this guide takes you through the process of creating these delightful cookies step by step.
2. **Marranitos de Chocolate:** Indulge in a rich and decadent twist on the classic Marranitos with this chocolate variation. This recipe incorporates the luscious flavors of chocolate, creating a perfect balance of sweetness and cocoa intensity.
3. **Marranitos de Naranja:** Experience a burst of citrusy freshness with Marranitos de Naranja. This recipe adds a vibrant orange zest to the traditional dough, resulting in a delightful interplay of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.
4. **Marranitos de Coco:** Discover the tropical charm of Marranitos de Coco. This variation infuses the cookies with the sweet and nutty flavors of coconut, transporting you to a tropical paradise with every bite.
5. **Marranitos de Cacahuate:** Embark on a nutty adventure with Marranitos de Cacahuate. This recipe incorporates the irresistible taste of peanuts, adding a crunchy texture and a delightful nutty aroma to the classic Marranitos.
MARRANITOS (MEXICAN PIG-SHAPED COOKIES)
Marranitos (or cochinos, or puerquitos, as are they are called in some Mexican-American communities) are often called 'Gingerbread Pigs,' although they don't actually have ginger in them - and no cinnamon either. In fact, traditional marranitos get their delicious spicy-brown goodness from molasses. This recipe is a trans-pecos region variation, it uses the non-traditional addition of cinnamon. You may wish to try also adding a bit of dry ground ginger, and you may use a milk wash instead of an egg wash.
Provided by Mayson
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Mexican
Time 35m
Yield 15
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together brown sugar and shortening until smooth. Mix in 1 egg, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in the baking soda, cinnamon, and molasses. Mix in flour until the dough is stiff enough to roll out.
- Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into cookies using a pig shaped cookie cutter. Place cookies 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Brush the remaining beaten egg over the tops of the cookies.
- Bake for 15 to 17 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the centers of the cookies appear dry and edges are lightly browned.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 358.7 calories, Carbohydrate 73 g, Cholesterol 25.1 mg, Fat 4.7 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 6.2 g, SaturatedFat 1.2 g, Sodium 151.1 mg, Sugar 30.4 g
AUTHENTIC MEXICAN MARRANITOS (MOLASSES GINGERBREAD PIGS)
Moist and rich-tasting beneath a glossy, ever-so-slightly flaky top. Not quite cookie, not quite cake. Marranitos -- or cochinos, or puerquitos, as are they are called in some Mexican-American communities -- are often called "Gingerbread Pigs," although they don't actually have ginger in them - and no cinnamon either. In fact, traditional marranitos get their delicious spicy-brown goodness from molasses. Baking soda is the leavening agent, and it's the variation in the amount used that makes some bakeries' pigs fatter than others. In Mexico, bakers take piloncillos -- unrefined brown sugar pressed into small cone shapes -- and boil the sugar with just enough water to make their own molasses syrup, which is then added to the dough for the little pigs. Then the dough is rolled out and cut with pig-shaped cookie cutters about the size of a medium-size grown-up's hand. (4.5") *This recipe is from Fort Worth baker Marco Rangel, and is used for the molasses pigs he sells at his bakery, the Panaderia San Marcos. It uses the non-traditional addition of cinnamon. You may wish to try also adding a bit of dry ground ginger. And you may use a milk wash instead of an egg wash.
Provided by GeeWhiz
Categories Dessert
Time 30m
Yield 15 cookies
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together brown sugar, shortening, baking soda, cinnamon and vanilla until the mixture forms a firm paste.
- Add, mixing after each addition until blended, the molasses, egg and milk.
- 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; Place each marranito on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
- In a cup or small bowl, beat egg; Using a pastry brush, paint tops of marranitos lightly with beaten egg.
- Bake for 15 to 17 minutes, or until browned.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 361, Fat 4.7, SaturatedFat 1.4, Cholesterol 25.4, Sodium 151.8, Carbohydrate 73.4, Fiber 1.5, Sugar 30.5, Protein 6.2
MARRANITOS & PUERQUITOS (SOFT MEXICAN GINGERBREAD PIG COOKIES)
Makes 16 Large Cookies This is the cookie cutter I used.
Provided by Esteban Castillo
Categories Dessert
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, baking powder, baking soda and salt, then set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and brown sugar on medium speed for about a minute. Reduce the speed to low then slowly pour in the molasses and buttermilk. Add the eggs, one at a time, making sure that ones mixed in before adding the next. After the eggs have been mixed in, add one third of the dry ingredients, wait for it to incorporate, then add the next third, wait and then add the rest.
- At this point, the cookie dough is going to be soft, so divide your dough into 4 equal sized balls, then wrap them up with plastic wrap and place them in the refrigerator for 4 hours to chill.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Once the dough has chilled, roll your dough out on a well floured surface to abut a 1/2 inch thickness. Use your cookie cutter to cut out the cookies, then evenly space them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. (You should be able to get 4 cookies per ball of dough) I like to dip my cookie cutter in a little bit of flour to make sure I get clean edges.
- Once you have your cookies on your cookie sheet, brush on the egg wash, and bake for 10-12 minutes, until the cookies have risen and the tops have begun to crack.
- Let your cookies cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm.
Tips:
- Use high-quality marzipan for the best flavor and texture. If you can't find marzipan, you can make your own by grinding almonds with sugar and butter.
- If the marzipan is too sticky to work with, chill it for a few minutes before shaping it.
- To make the marzipan pigs look more realistic, use a toothpick to score the skin and add a few drops of food coloring to the ears and snout.
- Bake the marzipan pigs until they are just set, about 12-15 minutes. If you overbake them, they will become dry and crumbly.
- Let the marzipan pigs cool completely before decorating them. You can use melted chocolate, sprinkles, or other decorations to make them even more festive.
Conclusion:
Marranitos are a delicious and festive Mexican cookie that is perfect for any occasion. They are easy to make and can be decorated in a variety of ways, making them a great choice for bakers of all skill levels. Whether you are making them for a special occasion or just for a treat, marranitos are sure to be a hit.
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