The Panecillos de San Nicholas also called Pan San Nicolas or Saniculas was introduced by the Agustinian Friars. These religious biscuits were molded with the image of St. Nicholas de Tolentino, the patron saint of children. It used to be made only on September 10, the feast of the saint then brought to the church to be blessed then given to children.
How to Make San Nicolas Biscuits (Saniculas)
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 1/2 cups cornstarch
- 1/2 cup coconut cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 3 Tbsp butter
- 1 Tbsp baking powder
- 1 cup sugar
- few grains of anise
- 4 egg yolks
Instructions
How to make San Nicolas Biscuits:
- Cream butter then gradually add sugar.
- Beat egg yolk then blend into butter-sugar mixture.
- Sift half of dry ingredients to mixture and gradually add coconut cream.
- Add remaining half of dry ingredients.
- Mix well to make dough. Knead dough on floured board.
- Roll out with rolling pin that has been dusted with flour until dough can be spread thinly.
- Cut into pieces with cookie cutter and bake in greased baking sheet.
- To make it more authentic get a mold with the imprinted image of Saint Nicholas de Tolentino then press the dough with it.
- Brush cookies with milk. Bake at 350°F oven for 10 minutes.
