Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
These Mexican Wedding Cookies are rich, buttery, and melt in your mouth. The dough is shaped into small balls before baking and then rolled in powdered sugar after baking for a sweet finish. This Mexican wedding cookie recipe is traditionally served at weddings and holidays but they make a delicious anytime treat!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- You only need basic pantry staples so you don’t have to worry about spending a lot of money to make this traditional cookie.
- They are one of the easiest cookies that you will ever bake. So, even beginning bakers can make them.
- The shortbread cookie is full of rich nutty flavor that melts in your mouth.
Why are Mexican cookies called that?
Back in the “olden” days, baked goods were served as wedding favors at Latin wedding celebrations (history of wedding cakes in Mexico), which is where the name came from.
Each cookie would be wrapped in tulle with a ribbon and given to guests as a thank-you for attending the event. What a simple and tasty way to remember the festive ceremony!
Ingredients Needed
- all-purpose flour
- butter
- confectioners sugar
- vanilla extract
- nuts (walnuts or pecans)
How to Make Mexican Wedding Cookies
These delicious Mexican cookies come together in just a few simple steps. Just follow these step-by-step directions and you will have rich and buttery shortbread-style cookies in no time at all.
Step 1: Preheat the oven and prepare your cookie sheet
Preheat oven to 300°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2: Mix the wet ingredients and add the dry ingredients
In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar at medium speed until creamy. Scrape the sides of the bowl a couple of times to ensure the butter and sugar are fully mixed. Add vanilla and flour.
Step 3: Add Nuts
Stir in chopped nuts.
Step 3: Shape and bake the cookies
With a small cookie scoop, shape the cookie dough into 1-inch balls. Place the cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheet about 1 inch apart. Bake for 20 minutes.
Step 4: Cool and dust with powdered sugar
Let cool for about five minutes. When you can handle it with your fingers, roll each cookie in powdered sugar.
Substitutions and Additions
- Want to change up the flavor of these snowball cookies? Swap out the vanilla extract for almond extract for a little almond flavor.
- You can also add 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon if you want a little spice in your cookies.
- For a slightly different twist, you can add some cinnamon to your powdered sugar, and then roll the baked cookies in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
Storage
Store these cookies in an airtight container or Ziploc bag at room temperature for up to 5 days. Make sure to keep these cookies dry so that the powdered sugar doesn’t come off the cookies.
What to Serve With
These traditional Mexican wedding cookies are delicious on their own. But, you can also pair them with a mug of this Irish Cream Hot Chocolate, or your favorite cup of coffee. You can also serve them on a cookie platter during the holiday
Substitutions and Additions
- Want to change up the flavor of these snowball cookies? Swap out the vanilla extract for almond extract for a little almond flavor.
- You can also add 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon if you want a little spice in your cookies.
- For a slightly different twist, you can add some cinnamon to your powdered sugar, and then roll the baked cookies in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
Storage
Store these cookies in an airtight container or Ziploc bag at room temperature for up to 5 days. Make sure to keep these cookies dry so that the powdered sugar doesn’t come off the cookies.
Freezing
Wrap uncooked dough in saran wrap and store in an airtight freezer-safe container. OR scoop the cookies into balls place on a baking sheet and freeze for 20 minutes. Then place in an airtight container with parchment paper between the layers.
I don’t recommend freezing these cookies once they have been rolled in the confectioners’ sugar.
What to Serve With
These traditional Mexican wedding cookies are delicious on their own. But, you can also pair them with a mug of this Irish Cream Hot Chocolate, or your favorite cup of coffee. You can also serve them on a cookie platter during the holiday
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make Mexican cookies without nuts?
Yes, these cookies can be made nut-free. There is no need to alter the recipe. Just know that the texture will change a bit, but they are still delicious!
What is the difference between Mexican wedding cookies and Russian tea cakes?
These cookies go by different names, but they are all essentially the same. They are usually referred to as polvorones in Mexico and sometimes snowballs, Danish wedding cookies, or Russian teacakes in other countries. They are small, round cookies made of ground nuts mixed with butter and sugar, often coated with powdered sugar or cinnamon.
Can I freeze these cookies?
Yes, you can freeze Mexican wedding cookies for up to 6 months. Make sure the cookies are completely cooled before freezing and wrap them tightly in a freezer-safe container or bag. When ready to eat, allow the frozen cookies to thaw at room temperature before serving.
Why do they call them Mexican Wedding cookies?
The origin of the name is unknown, but one popular theory is that they were served during Mexican weddings as a symbol of love and unity between families. This has given them the nickname “Mexican Wedding Cookies” in English-speaking countries.
Christmas Cookie Recipes
You can never bake enough of these cookies. These cookies always seem to disappear first, so I suggest baking a variety of cookies during the Christmas season!
You might enjoy these:
- Chocolate Chip Peppermint Cookies– classic chocolate chip cookie withcrushed peppermint candy canes.
- Butter Brickle Cookies– Rich toffee over saltine crackers and topped with chocolate and nuts. Break up like a bark.
- Ricotta Cheese Holiday Cookies – soft cookies with a cake-like texture with light icing and sprinkles.
- Christmas Tree Meringue Cookies– Meringue cookies are decorated like a Christmas tree.
- Pecan Pie Crust Cookies – a delicious mix of pecans folded in pie crust dough.
For a low-carb cookie option be sure to check out these Peppermint Keto Christmas Cookies and these Keto Almond Butter Cookies with chocolate chips.
Mexican Cookies Recipe (Mexican Wedding)
This recipe for Mexican wedding cookies yields buttery melt in your mouth holiday cookies that is shared though out the world. Many ethnicities share this same version.
4.77 from 56 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Mexican cookie recipe, Mexican wedding cookies, Snowball Cookies
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
Servings: 2 1/2 dozen
Calories: 160kcal
Author: Sandra Shaffer
Equipment
Large Mixing Bowl
Hand mixer
Mixing spoon
baking sheet
Cookie scoop
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter unsalted and softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup nuts walnuts or pecans, chopped
- 1 1/2 cups additional powder sugar for coating cookies sifted
Instructions
Pre-heat oven to 300°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar at medium speed until creamy. Add vanilla and flour. Stir in nuts.
With a small cookie scoop, place round cookies on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 20 minutes.
Let cool for about five minutes. When you can handle with your fingers, roll each cookie in powdered sugar.
Video
Notes
Roll cookies while they are still warm helps the sugar to stick to the cookies.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 160kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 34mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g
Disclaimer
Please note that the nutritional information provided are guidelines and may vary based on the brand of products used. For your specific nutritional goals use My Fitness Pal or Verywell Fit recipe calculators. All content within this site is not intended as medical diagnosis or treatment and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise.
