Mantecaditos Puerto Rican Cookies Recipes

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix flour and nutmeg in medium bowl. Set aside. Beat butter, shortening, sugar and extracts in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Gradually stir in flour mixture until well mixed. Dough should be slightly moist. If dough looks dry, sprinkle with water and work into dough. If dough is sticky, sprinkle with additional flour.
• 2. Spoon dough by teaspoons and shape into balls. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Gently flatten each ball with palm of hand. Press a cherry piece in the center of each cookie.
• 3. Bake 20 minutes or until golden. Cool on baking sheets 1 minute. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Line an un-greased cookie sheet with parchment paper (optional). With a hand or stand mixer, cream butter and shortening until creamy and well combined (about 2 minutes). Add sugar and mix till creamy and fluffy (about 1 minute). Add the pinch of salt, vanilla and almond extract. Mix to combine. With mixer on medium-low, mix in the flour by ¼ cup. The mixture will look coarse and that's what we want! Take a tablespoon of the cookie dough and form it into a ball and place it on the cookie sheet. With your thumb, press on the cookie to flatten it slightly and create a little "well." Don't worry if they crack on the sides, they will turn out pretty. In the little well, drop a piece of guava or sprinkles. Bake in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes. After 10 minutes, check the cookies for doneness. The cookies will not brown on top, but the sides will get golden brown and that's what you want. Place them on a cooling rack for 5 to 10 minutes.