Mom's Biscochitos

Another "It's just not christmas without these" recipe. This recipe came from my dad's side of the family. Grandma Sanchez always made them. The original recipe called for "lard", but mom  switched up to crisco after it became available. The recipe says to Refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight. Mom would refrigerate overnight.

Cookies:
1 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
1 stick crisco
2 egss
1/4 cup light corn syrup, or regular pancake syrup (mom used corn syrup)
1 tbl vanilla
1 tbl grated orange peel
2 tsp anise seeds
3 cups all-purpose flour (plus 4 tbl , divided)
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Topping:
1/3 cup granulated white sugar
1 tlb cinnamon
milk


For the cookies: Combine white sugar and shortening in large bowl. Beat at medium speed of electric mixer until well blended. Add eggs, syrup, vanilla, orange peel and anise seed. Beat until well blended and fluffy. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add gradually to creamed mixture at low speed. Mix until well blended. Wrap dough in plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight.

Heat oven to 375. Place sheets of foil on countertop for cooling cookies. Spread 1 tbl or more of flour on large sheet of waxed paper. Place one quarter of dough on floured paper. Flatten slightly with hands. Turn dough over and cover with another large sheet of waxed paper. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Remove top sheet of waxed paper. Cut out with floured cookie cutter. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet, using large pancake turner. Roll out remaining dough and repeat process.

For the topping: 
Combine sugar and cinnamon. Brush cookies with milk. Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mixture. Bake 7-9 minutes, or until lightly set. DO NOT OVERBAKE. Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet. Remove cookies to foil to cool completely. Makes 4-5 dozen cookies.

* for an alternative method, divide dough in half. Chill one hour. Roll each half on lightly-floured surface to 1/4 inch thick. Cut into decorative shapes with cookie cutters.