Marranitos (Mexican Gingerbread Pigs): A Sweet Pan Dulce Recipe for Breakfast or Dessert
Marranitos, also known as Mexican Gingerbread Pigs, are a traditional pan dulce (sweet bread) flavored with molasses and shaped like adorable little pigs. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, these treats are a nostalgic favorite in Mexican households. This easy-to-follow recipe brings the authentic flavors of a Mexican bakery to your kitchen.
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup dark brown sugar packed
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup unsulfured molasses
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Heat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar until smooth. Add one egg, molasses, milk, and vanilla, and mix until combined.
- Add the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, baking soda, and cinnamon. Gradually add this to the wet ingredients, mixing until the dough comes together.
- Roll & Cut: On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about ⅜-inch thickness. Use a pig-shaped cookie cutter to cut out your marranitos.
- Bake: Place the pigs on the prepared baking sheets, brush with a beaten egg, and bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are lightly browned.
- And voilà! You’ve just made your own batch of marranitos pan dulce.
Notes
- The number of cookies may vary depending on the size of your cookie cutter.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Perfect for dunking in milk or coffee!