Marranitos (Mexican Gingerbread Pigs) are a pan dulce, or sweet bread, flavored with molasses and commonly found in Mexican bakeries. Best served with a cup of milk or coffee and eaten on weekend mornings!
Is this real life?! Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d learn how to make a batch of Marranitos (these little Mexican gingerbread pigs), let alone share them online. But here I am, sharing one of my favorite childhood Mexican treats like it’s no big deal. Who am I kidding – I’m nearly 30 years old and these are still one of my favorite Mexican sweet breads! Let me explain.
- they’re shaped like little piggly wigglys. that right there is enough to put them in my top five.
- they’re somewhere between a cookie and a cake. they’re not hard, but not totally soft either. best of both worlds.
- they’re not too sweet, which makes them perfect for dunking in a glass of milk or coffee on weekend mornings.
- did I mention they’re shaped like little pigs? okay, just checking.
If I could only pick one recipe to remind me of my childhood, it would be this one. I’ve probably said that about other recipes before, but I really (really, really) mean it this time. I grew up eating marranitos, or cochinitos as my family called them. I’ve also heard them called puerquitos, but they all mean the same thing – just different Spanish words for “little pigs”.
Mexican Pan Dulce
My family used to pick up a big bag of pan dulce, or sweet bread, at the local Mexican bakery every weekend to eat for breakfast or dessert, and the only bread I’d ever reach for was the marranito.
They’re the perfect mix of rich molasses flavor with a hint of sweetness that’s satisfying and filling. Unlike other Mexican sweet breads that never really hit the spot (I’m looking at you, conchas), marranitos always seem to do the trick.
Ingredients and tools you’ll need
Making these little Mexican gingerbread pigs is much easier than most people think! Aside from the usual baking ingredients like flour, butter, eggs and the like, you’ll need some dark brown sugar, milk, a bit of ground ginger and some unsulfured molasses. All are ingredients you can find at most grocery stores, so the actual recipe ingredients should be very easy to find.
However, my favorite thing about this recipe – the cute little pig shapes – is something you’ll probably have to order online. Here’s the exact Pig Cookie Cutter I ordered on Amazon. It’s smaller than the size of the marranitos you’ll find in a Mexican bakery, but it’s a normal size for homemade pan dulce.
I have no kids so I have no firsthand experience in this department, but I imagine this would be a fun baking project for the little ones. At least I certainly enjoyed making these. What’s more fun that stamping out little piggies with a cookie cutter?!
This recipe has been a huge hit in my house. Between John and I, we’ve eaten all but 3 of these gingerbread pigs and I’m definitely not sorry about it. It’s been cold and has even snowed here already, so we’ve been dunking these marranitos in some Mexican Hot Chocolate which I’ll be sharing on the blog soon.
Slowly but surely, I’m getting in the holiday spirit and am so excited that this will be the first year John and I spend Christmas together. We’ve been together for about 8 years and this is our first Christmas together! How nuts is that?
I’ve always gone to OKC to spend the holiday with family, and John’s always gone to central PA to do the same. Since we got married in May, we thought it’d be best to take turns every year and switch off Thanksgiving and Christmas. So this year, Christmas will be with my family and next year it will be with his.
I must admit, having our families be so far apart is definitely a challenge, but we’re making it work. It’s just one of many challenges I’m sure we’ll run into as a married couple, but that’s what it’s all about, right? All because of a little four letter word – love. 🙂
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do!
More dessert recipes you’ll love
- Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars
- Mexican Hot Chocolate
- Baked Pumpkin Empanadas
- Baked Apple Empanadas
- Arroz con Leche
- Homemade Dulce de Leche
Marranitos (Mexican Gingerbread Pigs)
Print Pin RateIngredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (about 1 stick)
- 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup unsulfured molasses
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter until smooth. Add the dark brown sugar and mix until well combined. Add in one egg, molasses, milk and vanilla extract. Mix together until smooth.
- In a separate large bowl, add the flour, ground ginger, baking soda and cinnamon. Mix together to combine.
- Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients 1 cup at a time and mix until well combined. The dough should cleanly pull away from the mixing bowl.
- Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll out to 3/8 inch thickness (or a little less than 1/2 inch). Use a pig shaped cookie cutter like this one to cut into pigs. Place pigs 1 1/2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Brush the remaining beaten egg over the tops of the cookies.
- In a small bowl, crack open the remaining egg and whisk. Brush the beaten egg over the tops of the pigs using a pastry brush.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are lightly browned.
Notes
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Alma Maish says
I am 85 years old and “Cochitos” have always been my favorite Mexican bakery item! My children/grandchildren/husband would always buy one for me when they went to a Mexican bakery. Thank you for the memory and I hope to try the recipe soon after I buy the cookie cutter!
Isabel says
I’m so happy it brought back so many good memories for you! It’s my favorite bakery item, too 🙂
Darlene Guerra says
Hi. …i am soooo happy my husband loves these and we havent been able to find any where we live and the ones we have found were awful. …so as i came across this recipe tonight i had a warm fuzzy i know what im making him for valentines day…. Thanks so much.
Isabel says
You’re so welcome! I’m so glad you found the recipe 🙂 I’m sure he’s going to love them for Valentine’s Day.
Louise says
These were absolutely delicious, so much better than the bakery! The only thing I changed was I cut down on the molasses & substituted the difference with honey, about 60/40. Thank you so much Isabel for sharing your recipe!
Isabel says
I’m so happy you liked it, Louise! And that’s such a great idea to use some honey. I’m going to try that next time I make a batch.
Theresa Arce says
These were so cute and really fun and easy to make. I added a tablespoon of strong coffee because the batter seemed a little too dry. They were delicious! Even my very very picky granddaughter ate 3. Next time I’m going to add an extra egg and maybe some baking powder to give the cookie a more cake like and a less dense consistency.
Isabel says
I’m so glad you liked it, Theresa! A little coffee to the batter sounds delicious!
Tiffany says
I didn’t have a pig cookie cutter so I used a star cutter instead, thus making estrellas instead of maranitas. They tasted just like I remembered from my childhood in South Texas. Great recipe!
Isabel says
Thank you so much, Tiffany! I’m so happy you liked it! Happy New Year!
Mary Ellen says
I was about to make these but the “egg” instructions are confusing. Recipe says 2 eggs. Instructions #2 say add “the egg” which I assume is the 2 eggs?? In points 5 and 6 it says to use the remaining egg. What remaining egg? Are you beating 2 different eggs in 5 and 6? I’m guessing it’s only 1 egg in #2 and the second remaining egg is used in step 6. Please advise.
Isabel says
Hi, Mary. I’m so sorry about the confusion! I just updated the recipe steps so they’re a little more clear. But yes, your guess what correct. You add one egg in step 2 and then the second egg is for the egg wash. Sorry about that. I hope you like them!
Wendi says
I made these Puerquitos for the first time and my hubby loved them! Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Isabel says
Yay! I’m so happy he love them! They’re my favorite pan dulce ever.
Lisa says
My family couldn’t believe these were homemade! They are so delicious!!
Isabel says
I’m so happy you liked them! Those little pigs are seriously my favorite pan.
Deborah Lai says
Do you use fresh grated ginger or the dry ground ginger found in the spice aisle?
Isabel says
I used dry ground ginger.
Isela says
I don’t like to cook or bake because I’m not very good at it. I decided to try making the marranitos because they are my dad’s favorite pan dulce and they turned out perfect. Everybody was surprised and delighted!
Isabel says
Yay! That makes me so happy, Isela 🙂 I’m so glad that everyone liked it.
Rocio says
They are delicious.. Just made them and everyone loved them
Isabel says
I’m so happy everyone liked them! Thanks for letting me know! 🙂
Eric says
Just found your recipe and can’t wait to try them. Totally my favorite right next to conchas. Thanks E Guerrero.
Isabel says
Thanks, Eric! I feel the same way! Conchas are next on my to-do list 🙂
Ivonne says
Omg delicious made them and everyone loved them better than bakery
Isabel says
Yay! I’m so happy you liked them!
Connie says
I’m SO craving these..I’ve been gluten free for nearly 3years and have searched high and low for a gf recipe – anyone tried this with a gf blend?!
Isabel says
Ooh, I have not but I think it’s worth a shot! I might give that a try next time I make them.
Rocio says
Been wanting to make a vegan version of these. Also my fave. Just tweeted one thing. Yum!
Delfino says
I made these last night and they turned out great. Thank you so much for this recipe. One thing I noticed on your ingredient list is you call for a 1/4 cup of butter (one stick) and I think you meant 1/4 lb of butter. I look forward to trying more of the recipes on your site!
Isabel says
Ah yes, thank you so much for catching that mistake! I’ll make sure to update the recipe now so others don’t get confused. Thanks!
Gayla says
I made the marranitos (gingerbread pigs) and they turned out perfect ! They are so delicious! I ordered the pig cookie cutter from Amazon. They were fun to make and everyone I shared them with loves them. Thank you so much for this recipe!
Isabel says
Thanks, Gayla! I’m so happy you liked them! 🙂 It’s one of my favorite recipes.