Mexican Wedding Cookies - Love and Lemons (2024)

These Mexican wedding cookies are tender, delicate, and full of rich, buttery pecan flavor. Dusted in powdered sugar, they're a perfect holiday treat.

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Mexican wedding cookies are one of my favorite holiday treats. They have a rich, nutty flavor and a texture so delicate that they practically melt in your mouth. This recipe makes a decent batch – about 40 cookies – but I still wouldn’t expect it to last long. The last time I made these Mexican wedding cookies, they all vanished in two days flat!

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Mexican Wedding Cookies Recipe Ingredients

Mexican wedding cookies go by many different names: snowballs, Russian tea cakes, Mexican wedding cakes, polvorones, and more. I did some digging on their history while I was working on this recipe, and it turns out, we don’t really know where they originated.

Because of their high nut to flour ratio, some historians believe they were first made in the Middle East or Eastern Europe. Either way, they likely came to Mexico through Spanish migrants in the 16th century. Today, cookies like these are still made in countries across the world!

At their most basic, Mexican wedding cookies consist of flour, butter, finely chopped nuts, confectioner’s sugar, and vanilla extract. I add a few extra ingredients to my recipe for an even cozier, Christmasy taste. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:

  • Toasted pecans: Nuts are a key ingredient in any Mexican wedding cookies recipe, and pecans are always my top pick. They add rich, nutty flavor to the simple dough.
  • Butter: For moisture and additional richness.
  • All-purpose flour: It brings the dough together.
  • Powdered sugar: You’ll add some to the dough and dust the rest on top of the cookies. You can use store-bought, or make your own.
  • Vanilla and cinnamon: They add warm depth of flavor to the rich, buttery cookies.
  • Almond extract: It’s not a traditional ingredient in Mexican wedding cookies, but I love how it brings out the pecans’ nutty flavor.
  • And sea salt: To make all the flavors pop!

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

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How to Make Mexican Wedding Cookies

Heads up: you’ll need soft, room temperature butter to make this recipe! If you store your butter in the fridge or the freezer, make sure to let it soften on your countertop for an hour or two before you get to work.

For me, remembering to allow the butter to soften is the toughest part of making this Mexican wedding cookies recipe. After that, it’s easy:

First, prep the pecans.Toast them in a dry skillet over low heat for 5 minutes, or until they’re nice and fragrant. Then, place them in a food processor…

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…and pulse until they form a coarse meal.

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Next, make the dough.You’ll cream together the butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, and the salt until light and fluffy. Then, mix in the vanilla and almond extracts and gradually add the flour and cinnamon. Finally, mix in the pecans.

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Then, form the cookies.Use a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop to scoop the dough, and use your hands to roll it into balls. Arrange the balls on two parchment-lined baking sheets.

Tip: If the dough is too sticky to work with, pop it in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up before you roll the cookies.

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Finally, bake!Bake the cookies for 13-16 minutes, or until they’re just golden. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 15 minutes before rolling them in powdered sugar. That’s it!

Add the cookies to a holiday cookie plate, or enjoy them with a cup of hot chocolate. Happy baking!

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More Favorite Holiday Treats

If you love these Mexican wedding cookies, try one of these holiday treats next:

  • Easy Sugar Cookies
  • Chewy Molasses Cookies
  • Thumbprint Cookies
  • Lemon Shortbread Cookies
  • Best Peanut Butter Cookies
  • Or any of these 21 Best Christmas Cookie Recipes!

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Mexican Wedding Cookies

rate this recipe:

4.98 from 123 votes

Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

Cooling Time: 15 minutes mins

Serves 40 cookies

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These Mexican wedding cookies have an irresistible melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich, buttery pecan flavor. They're perfect for the holidays or any time you're craving a sweet treat.

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

  • In a medium skillet over low heat, toast the pecans for about 5 minutes, until fragrant. Transfer the nuts to a food processor and pulse to form a coarse meal.

  • Measure ¾ cup of the powdered sugar into a medium bowl and set aside for rolling.

  • In another medium bowl, mix together the flour and the cinnamon.

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter, the remaining ½ cup powdered sugar, and the salt until light and fluffy. Mix in the vanilla and almond extracts. Gradually add the flour mixture and then the pecans and mix until combined.

  • Use a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop to scoop the dough. Then, use your hands to roll it into balls and place them on the baking sheets. If the dough is too sticky to handle, chill it in the fridge for 30 minutes before rolling.

  • Bake for 13 to 16 minutes, until just golden. Let cool on the baking sheets for 15 minutes, then roll the warm cookies in the reserved powdered sugar.

  • Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Mexican Wedding Cookies - Love and Lemons (2024)

FAQs

What is the meaning of the Mexican wedding cookies? ›

As Spanish colonizers brought these recipes to Mexico, they seamlessly integrated into the local culinary landscape. The cookie's association with weddings stems from its sweet symbolism of happiness, unity, and the joyful occasions surrounding matrimony.

Why are my Mexican wedding cookies falling apart? ›

Baked cookies can also be frozen before rolling them in sugar. Why are my cookies falling apart? They crumble too much and fall apart when they don't have enough moisture which comes from the butter. They are crumbly cookies, make no mistake about that.

What is the difference between Italian wedding cookies and Mexican wedding cookies? ›

Italian wedding cookies typically contain almonds or hazelnuts and are flavored with almond extract, vanilla extracts and spices like cinnamon or anise. Mexican wedding cookies, on the other hand, use a combination of ground nuts such as pecans and walnuts, as well as butter, sugar and sometimes chocolate chips.

What are wedding cake cookies made of? ›

Most recipes, like this one, call for butter, powdered sugar, flour, salt, vanilla, and some type of ground nut. You can use almonds, pecans, or even macadamia nuts depending on your personal preferences.

What is a symbolic wedding in Mexico? ›

Mexico – A legal ceremony must be performed by a judge. A blood test is required. The blood test is for STD's and if the test is positive, a marriage license will not be granted. A symbolic ceremony has no legal bearing and is performed by a non-denominational minister, wedding coordinator, family friend or relative.

What happens in Mexican weddings? ›

Mexican weddings take place within a mass, which is similar to the mass that takes place every Sunday, but with the addition of marriage rituals. Those rituals include the exchange of consent (or vows), and the nuptial blessing.

What happens if you add milk to cookie dough? ›

Baking recipes have to be fairly precise for the best results; adding extra liquid in the form of milk to cookie dough could cause the baked cookies to spread, over-brown, and lose their shape. However, it's easy to add a tablespoon or two of milk powder to cookie batters without affecting the final texture.

Can I bake cookies on aluminum foil? ›

aluminum (not “tin foil” as it's often called). Aluminum is a great heat conductor, which makes it heat-safe and well-suited for many oven and stovetop applications. But this attribute is exactly why you should avoid using it when it comes to baking cookies.

What to add to dry cookie dough? ›

Dry – “Dry” or “Crumbly” dough is a product of over-mixing or using too much of any ingredient during the mixing process. This can be reversed by adding one to two tablespoons of liquid (water, milk or softened butter) to your mix.

How much sugar is in a Mexican wedding cookie? ›

The cookies have a floury rather than rich taste. Here's a much better recipe from The New Complete Book of Mexican Cooking: 1 cup flour; 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar; 1 cup unsalted butter; pinch of salt; 1 cup pecans, finely chopped; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Why are they called Russian tea cakes? ›

Some people believe that Russian Tea Cakes originated in Eastern Europe, but as far as I could tell, they inherited the name from the 19th-century American fascination with Russian tea culture.

Which classic cookie ingredient do Mexican wedding cakes Lac? ›

Toasted pecans: Nuts are a key ingredient in any Mexican wedding cookies recipe, and pecans are always my top pick. They add rich, nutty flavor to the simple dough. Butter: For moisture and additional richness. All-purpose flour: It brings the dough together.

What are the other names for Mexican wedding cookies? ›

Nowadays, Chef Salazar notes that Mexican wedding cookies are also called polvorones or bizcochitos and are a staple of wedding buffets and holiday parties. Similarly, Italians serve these cookies at celebratory feasts; however, they add star anise for a more pungent, aromatic dough.

What was Queen Victoria's wedding cake made of? ›

On February 10, 1840, Queen Victoria married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. The sumptuous wedding breakfast included a 300-pound fruitcake.

Did Keebler stop making Danish wedding cookies? ›

However, these beloved treats are no longer available on the shelves. Keebler, one of the largest cookie manufacturers in the U.S., has been known for its diverse range of products. Yet, their decision to discontinue Danish Wedding Cookies has left many consumers like me disappointed and longing for their unique taste.

What is the history of Mexican pig cookies? ›

I was very curious to know the history of these pig-shaped cookies and did a little research…these were supposedly introduced in the 16th century in the state of Veracruz after the Spaniards conquered and colonized México.

What is the significance of Christmas cookies? ›

The practice of putting out cookies for Santa began in the 1930s during the Great Depression, when parents were trying to instill a sense of thankfulness in their children. Leaving goodies, perhaps in a sweet cookie jar, continues to be a way of sharing the holiday bounty.

What is the history of celebration cookies? ›

This company was formed in 1905. In a small backroom at his family home on Arago Street in Quebec City, Francois Leclerc baked his very first cookies. These cookies were from a tried-and-true jelly cookie recipe belonging to his wife, Zelia. This version, made in Quebec, has a 45% cocoa dark chocolate cookie topper.

What is the meaning of cookies for Santa? ›

It's a way for children to express their excitement and anticipation for Christmas morning, and it's a way to show gratitude for Santa Claus and everything he does. Leaving milk and cookies out for Santa Claus is an act of kindness that teaches children the value of giving and sharing.

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