Teresa's Recipes
Mantecados
Mantecados are a cherished Spanish delicacy, traditionally savored during the festive Christmas season. These delightfully crumbly cookies are made with high-quality lard and are rich in flavor, thanks to the infusion of aromatic cinnamon and finely ground almonds. With a melt-in-your-mouth texture and a sweet, nutty taste, these cookies are a true treat and a part of Spain's rich culinary heritage.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 cup Ground almonds
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1 cup Lard
Dietary Notes
- Servings: 24
- Dish Type: Dessert
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 8g
- Carbs: 15g
- Protein: 2g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Sugar: 7g
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the lard and sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This process may take a few minutes, but it's essential for achieving the desired texture of the cookies.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, ground almonds, cinnamon, and lemon zest. Make sure these dry ingredients are well-combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the lard and sugar mixture. Continue to mix until a cohesive dough forms.
- Shape the dough into small, evenly-sized balls, and place them on your prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the cookies for 15-20 minutes, or until they turn a light golden color. Be sure to keep an eye on them to prevent over-baking.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Afterwards, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips
- For a different flavor profile, try adding a dash of vanilla extract or swapping the lemon zest for orange zest.
- If you don't have lard on hand, butter can be used as a substitute. However, keep in mind that lard is traditional and gives the cookies their characteristic flavor and texture.