Go Back
+ servings
Star-shaped hojarascas cookies on a wooden platter.
Print Recipe
5 from 63 votes

Hojarascas

Hojarascas are yummy Mexican shortbread cookies covered in a sweet cinnamon and sugar coating. Make a few dozen because one batch is just never enough.
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Mexican
Servings: 45 cookies
Calories: 107kcal

Ingredients

For the Cinnamon Tea:

For the Dough:

For the Sugar Coating:

Instructions

For the Cinnamon Tea:

  • In a small pot, add 1 cup water and the cinnamon stick.
  • Bring to a boil. Turn off heat and set aside.
  • Let this cool completely.

For the Dough:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • In a mixing bowl, add the shortening and sugar.
  • Mix well.
  • Add salt, vanilla, cinnamon, and mix well.
  • Turn mixer off.
  • Add ½ of the flour. Mix only until combined.
  • Turn mixer off again.
  • Add the remaining ½ of the flour.
  • Mix only until combined.
  • Turn mixer off again.
  • Add half of the cooled cinnamon tea.
  • Turn mixer on low.
  • Add only the amount of tea necessary to bring the dough together. About ½ cup.
  • Turn mixer off and dust a clean surface and a rolling pin with flour.
  • Place cookie dough on the surface and roll it out evenly.
  • Cut out shapes using a cookies cutter.
  • Place on an ungreased cookie sheet.
  • Bake for 15 minutes.

For the Sugar Coating:

  • Mix the sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl.
  • Cool the cookies completely on a rack.
  • Carefully and gently add each cookie to the bowl and cover with the sugar coating.
  • Repeat until all the cookies have been coated.
  • Makes about 45 cookies. Enjoy!

Notes

These Hojarascas recipe is completely vegan. However, traditionally it is made with lard. You can swap out the shortening for lard 1:1. 
Please note: The tea needs to be completely cool before adding to the mixture.
When rolling out the cookies: Do not add too much flour. Only the amount necessary to roll out and cut out the cookies. Adding too much flour will result in tough hojarascas.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 107kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 10mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 1mg