Taste Biscochitos Across New Mexico

Our first trip to New Mexico started in the best possible way — with cookies to fuel us up before our Airbnb Experiences walking tour of Albuquerque. Crumbly, with a hint of licorice and a dusting of cinnamon sugar, the first cookie tasted like a cross between a shortbread and a sugar cookie. Our guide informed us that these were biscochitos (sometimes spelled bizcochitos) a traditional New Mexican cookie first brought by Spanish colonists in the 16th century and influenced by Indigenous and Latino cultures. I became intrigued by the unique flavor and history of biscochitos, anointed the official state cookie in 1989.

Traditionally, the cookies’ essential ingredients include lard, anise, and cinnamon, says Celina Aldaz-Grife, owner of Celina’s Biscochitos in Albuquerque, who left her real estate career 14 years ago to sell the cookies she once gave to her clients as gifts. More plump than your average cookie, biscochitos measure between 1/8 and 1/4 inch thick. Celina’s recipe, handed down from her grandmother Maggie, calls for brandy, while others rely on orange juice, wine, whiskey, or other alcohol. Some incorporate cinnamon before baking, while Celina’s dips them in cinnamon sugar. 

“There are different variations on how people make them,” Aldaz-Grife says. “It’s how you grew up with it because it’s such a personal thing. You see a lot of changes in the cookie over time.” Some bakers favor vegetable shortening, while others drop the anise. “I always tell people it’s more of a feeling than just a cookie for New Mexico.” Though they can be found year-round, the cookies make a special appearance at Christmas, weddings, and other celebrations.

Visitors will also find the closely related Pueblo cookies, made without anise and alcohol, says LaShon Cate, the owner of Just Peachy Pueblo Biscochitos in San Felipe Pueblo, one of 19 Native American villages in the state.

If you’re on a road trip in New Mexico, stop in mom-and-pop owned grocery stores and restaurants selling homemade biscochitos, advises Albuquerque walking tour guide and 44-year New Mexico resident Greg Hansen. 

You can also stop at these bakeries, cafes, and hotels, which, according to Aldaz-Grife, Hansen, and other locals, serve some of the best cookies in the state.

Albuquerque biscochitos 

Celina’s Biscochitos

Flavors at this shop include red chili, green chili, pecan, cocoa, and chocolate chip, as well as seasonal biscochitos, such as cranberry walnuts during Christmas and candied maple bacon for Father’s Day. Celina’s Biscochitos stamps the traditional cookies to celebrate birthdays, graduations, and other milestones. 

Golden Crown Panaderia

An old-school, family-owned bakery in business since 1972, Golden Crown offers traditional, cappuccino, chocolate, and cornmeal biscochito varieties.

Indian Pueblo Kitchen

The acclaimed restaurant at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center serves Indigenous specialties, including pueblo cookies, which guests can eat on-site or order to go.

Santa Fe biscochitos

Sweet Santa Fe

An award-winning confectionary, Sweet Santa Fe sells hand-dipped chocolates, truffles, and traditional biscochitos.

Santa Fe Biscochito Company

A cafe near the plaza, Santa Fe Biscochito Co. sells homemade, small-batch biscochito ice cream and biscochito cookies.

Plaza Café

A retro diner, Plaza Café has two Santa Fe locations and serves biscochitos shakes and cookies, which customers can ship to their homes.

Inn of the Governors

One of the perks of staying at this centrally located hotel is the daily afternoon sherry and biscochito welcome hour. 

New Mexico biscochito flavors

Just Peachy Biscochitos

Located 30 minutes from Albuquerque and 45 minutes from Santa Fe in the San Felipe Pueblo, the Native woman-owned Just Peachy grows red and green chiles, blue corn, pumpkin, and wheat to flavor the cookies. 

Loteria Palenteria

A dessert cafe in Taos, New Mexico, Loteria Palenteria sells biscochito-flavored paletas, or popsicles.

Pinon Coffee House

A popular coffee shop, Pinon Coffee House sells biscochito-flavored coffee and doughnuts at its three (soon to be four) Albuquerque locations.