Best Easy Hojarascas Recipe

Flaky cinnamon shortbread cookies are a traditional Mexican Christmas confection. This family-friendly treat is a crumbly, aromatic, buttery cookie perfect for the holiday season.

Cook 55 min Difficulty EASY 170 kcal
#vegetarian #mexican #holiday #dessert
Image coming soon
Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • all-purpose flour 2 cups
  • unsalted butter 0.75 cup
  • confectioners' sugar 0.5 cup
  • egg yolk 1 piece
Seasonings/Sauce
  • ground cinnamon 2 tsp
  • salt 0.25 tsp
  • vanilla extract 1 tsp
  • granulated sugar 0.25 cup
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 20 g 47%
Protein 2 g 5%
Fat 9 g 48%
Serving size 40g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Cream together unsalted butter and confectioners' sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes.

  2. 2

    Add egg yolk and vanilla extract to the butter mixture; beat until fully incorporated and smooth.

  3. 3

    In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, and salt, then gradually add dry mixture to wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms.

  4. 4

    Divide dough in half, shape into disks, wrap in plastic, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour for easy handling.

  5. 5

    Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness, cut out shapes with cookie cutters, and arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

  6. 6

    Bake for 14–16 minutes until edges are barely golden; avoid overbaking to maintain a tender, crumbly texture.

  7. 7

    While still warm, toss cookies gently in granulated sugar mixed with cinnamon for a fragrant coating. Cool completely on a wire rack before serving.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What's the key ingredient that gives Hojarascas their signature flavor?
The combination of ground cinnamon and unsalted butter defines the classic flavor and aroma of Hojarascas. Cinnamon delivers warmth and fragrance, while butter creates the rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture that is unique to these Mexican shortbread cookies.
Q. Why is chilling the dough necessary before rolling and cutting?
Chilling firms up the dough, making it much easier to roll out and cut precise shapes. It also helps maintain the cookies’ delicate, flaky texture, ensuring they hold their form during baking without spreading too much.
Q. How do you prevent Hojarascas from becoming too hard after baking?
Avoid overbaking! Remove the cookies when the edges are just turning golden. Overbaking can dry them out and make them tough; proper timing ensures they stay crumbly and tender.
Q. What’s the nutrition breakdown for each serving?
Each 40g serving contains about 170 kcal, with roughly 20g carbohydrates (47%), 2g protein (5%), and 9g fat (48%). This makes them an indulgent treat—enjoy in moderation!
AI 채팅 아이콘