San Nicolas cookies: Mexico's miraculous shortbread
Arrowroot, egg yolk and coconut milk pressed in carved moulds: the San Nicolas cookie and why Mexico believes in it.
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Discover Pampanga Editors · October 2026
Illustrative photo. Photo: Judgefloro on Wikimedia Commons · Public domain / CC0 · via Wikimedia Commons
In Mexico, a biscuit can be a blessing. The panecillo de San Nicolas is a buttery shortbread made from arrowroot flour, egg yolk and coconut milk, pressed into carved moulds that leave the image of Saint Nicholas of Tolentino on each piece.
Food and faith
On September 10, the Sanikulas Festival, the cookies are blessed. Children, the elderly and the sick eat them, and many believe they have miraculous powers.
Where to buy
Dandy's San Nicolas Cookies on J.P. Rizal Street in Parian bakes them along with other local pastries. Atching Lillian Borromeo of Kusinang Matua, one of the great keepers of Kapampangan cooking, is also known for her San Nicolas cookies, sold in boxes of twelve to walk-in buyers.
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More in Mexico
© CNEcija12345 on Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SAFood
Atching Lillian's kitchen in Mexico
In an ancestral house in Mexico's Parian, one of the masters of Kapampangan cooking feeds groups and sells San Nicolas cookies.
© JJ Carpio on Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SACulture
Mexico's old chapels: San Jose Matulid and Sabanilla
Mexico claims one of the oldest chapels in Asia, and keeps a rare Spanish-era chapel in Sabanilla. Their stories.
© CNEcija12345 on Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SAHistory
General Maximino Hizon of Mexico
The Mexico-born general who led Kapampangan revolutionaries, refused to swear loyalty to the US and died in exile on Guam.
Things to do nearby
Attractions
Mexico Public Market
Town market on Jose Abad Santos Avenue in Parian, in the heart of Mexico's old commercial district.
Attractions
Maximino Hizon Monument
Monument to General Maximino Hizon, Mexico's revolutionary hero who died in exile in Guam in 1901.
Attractions
Bale Mi (Sandico Ancestral House)
The Sandico family's 1827 colonial house in Parian, now an events venue open Monday to Saturday.
Where to eat nearby
Bakeries
Dandy's San Nicolas Cookies
Mexico bakery known for San Nicolas cookies, buttery arrowroot shortbread pressed with the image of the saint.
© CNEcija12345 · CC BY-SABakeries
Kusinang Matua
Atching Lillian Borromeo's reservation-only heirloom Kapampangan kitchen in her ancestral home in Mexico.
Where to stay nearby
Budget Stays
Hotel Sogo Mexico, Pampanga
Budget short-stay hotel of the Hotel Sogo chain on Jose Abad Santos Avenue, across from SM Pampanga.