SUPER EASY Mexican Gingerbread Sweet Bread | Marranitos (Cochinitos / Puerquitos)

Steps

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1. 1
   Place piloncillo in a small pot with 2 tablespoons of water. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning, until melted into a syrup in about 5 minutes. Let cool slightly and set aside.
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2. 2
   In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground anise, ginger, and salt. Whisk together until well mixed, then set aside.
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3. 3
   In a separate bowl, add softened butter and beat until creamy. Ensure the butter is at room temperature.
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4. 4
   Add one egg, Mexican vanilla blend, molasses (or honey and brown sugar), and the piloncillo syrup. Mix until everything is well combined.
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5. 5
   Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, gently folding with a spatula until a dough forms. Take your time and fold patiently.
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6. 6
   Using clean hands, shape the dough into a ball. The dough will be sticky—do not add more flour. Remove from bowl and bring together.
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7. 7
   Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and place in the freezer for about 30 minutes.
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8. 8
   After 30 minutes, remove the dough. Preheat the oven to 350°F. In another bowl, whisk together granulated sugar and the remaining egg to make an egg wash, then set aside.
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9. 9
   Remove the dough from plastic wrap. Dust a clean countertop with flour, then roll out the dough to about a quarter inch thick. Use your pinky as a thickness guide.
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10. 10
    Use a pig-shaped cookie cutter to press down on the dough and cut out shapes. Place the shaped pieces on a lined baking sheet.
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11. 11
    Reroll the remaining dough and repeat the cutting process to shape more marranitos. If the dough becomes too dry, dip your fingers in water to restore its workability.
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12. 12
    Brush egg wash over all the marranitos using a brush. Don't worry about flour residue—the egg wash will clean it up.
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13. 13
    Place the marranitos in the oven and bake at 350°F for about 10 minutes until golden.
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14. 14
    Remove the marranitos from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes. Once slightly cooled, transfer to a serving plate. Enjoy with coffee, milk, champurrado, or hot chocolate.
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