The irresistible cookies are ultra buttery, crumbly, and nutty – the perfect shortbread cookie for any occasion.
»For more delicious desserts to delight you might try these Brookies with Oreos and Peanut Butter Cups or Salted Caramel Apple Crisp.
I have a soft spot for these Mexican Wedding Cookies. My mom used to make batches and batches of them at Christmas time that we would eat for the whole season, and also pack up to give away to family in homemade food baskets. This Easy Microwave Peanut Brittle and Mini Snickerdoodle Cookie Cups are Christmas basket must haves, and everyone loves these Christmas Tree Rice Krispies Treats.
The cookie tray was always full of these at Christmas. They never lasted very long, because we’d mostly devour them the second they’d come out of the oven. But even after a day or two, they were still tender and delicious.
▶ Craving cookies? Try our small-batch Chocolate Chip Cookies that will keep you from eating a dozen or more cookies and hold you to just 6 or 8.
What Are They Called?
I’ve seen these cookies around the internet under many different names. I’ve always known them as Mexican Wedding Cookies, but they also go by the name of Snowball Cookies, Pecan Sandies, Russian Tea Cakes, Italian Wedding Cookies, and Polvorones.
No matter what you call them, the recipe is always the same: butter, sugar, vanilla, flour, nuts, and a healthy dusting of powdered sugar. Let’s not kid ourselves here, the butter is what makes these cookies so damn good.
Baking Tips & Notes
There are a few important notes. One is to make sure you use confectioner’s sugar (powdered sugar) rather than regular white sugar. This is to ensure the cookies stay in their dome shape and don’t collapse.
You can use just about any type of nut you want in these cookies. I personally think pecans are best. But you can also use chopped walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, or even pistachios. Whatever floats your boat.
How to Make Mexican Wedding Cookies
The second best thing about these cookies is how easy they are to make. I’m sure that’s why it was never difficult to talk mom into making more when they ran out.
Step One: You start by creaming together the butter and sugar. Then mix in the flour, salt and nuts.
Step Two: Form 1 tablespoon-sized balls of dough and place them on a floured cookie sheet.
Step Three: Bake at 375 degrees F for 14-16 minutes. You want them to brown on the bottoms, but not too much on the top. It’s important to get them just right – not over or under – so you might have to take them from the oven and try one to determine.
Step Four: When mostly cooled, roll the cookies in powdered sugar. You can give them a second roll once they’re completed cooled, to coat them thoroughly. I prefer to skip the second roll. They don’t need THAT much sugar.
Serve them alongside other fun cookies or pack them into a gift basket to give to friends for the holidays!
Other Recipes to Try
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Mexican Wedding Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup pecan pieces
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar sifted
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
For the cookies:
- 1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Lightly toast the nuts in a medium skillet on medium heat for about 5 minutes.
- Once the nuts have cooled, put them in a food processor and pulse a few times, until the nuts are crushed into very small pieces. If you don’t have a food processor, put the nuts in a quart-size sealable freezer bag and use a meat mallet or rolling pin crush the nuts into very small bits. Set aside.
- Mix the butter and 3/4 cup powdered sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until the smooth mixture sticks to the side of the bowl. Add the vanilla and beat for 30 seconds to combine.
- Add the flour and salt. Mix on low speed until the dry ingredients begin to incorporate, then return to medium speed until a stiff dough is formed.
- Mix the crushed nuts in with the dough. Stir on low speed to combine.
- Scrape the dough from the bowl into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight. The dough must be firm and thoroughly cold for best results.
- When you're ready to bake the cookies, preheat the oven to 375F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicon baking mat.
- Form small balls of no more than 1 tbsp of dough. Place the balls on the baking mat, spaced evenly.
- Bake for 17 to 19 minutes, or until the cookies start to brown slightly on the bottom. There should be very little color on the tops. Allow the cookies to cool to “warm”, then roll them in the remaining powdered sugar.
- Cookies can be stored in an air tight container on the counter for up to a week.
Equipment Needed
Notes
- It’s very important that the cookie dough is very cold before baking. This will ensure the cookies maintain their shape as they cook.
- Don’t substitute the powdered sugar for regular sugar. The powdered sugar ensures the cookies don’t fall when baking.
- Cookies can be stored in an air tight container on the counter for up to a week.
- You can re-roll the cookies in powdered sugar before serving to brighten them up again.
Nutrition
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Laura is a home cook, with 25 years experience behind the stove, who spends an extraordinary amount of time in the kitchen cooking. She loves making new recipes and finding wonderful new things to eat, both at home or abroad. She spends a lot of time researching, crafting, and perfecting her recipes and currently has a cookbook in development.
What a simple homemade remake of this classic holiday recipe!
I love the names to these cookies. They are best for the season too. Definitely yummy.
My mom used to make these for us too. Such a yummy cookie that brings back such great memories.
One of my all time favorite cookies, I had to try yours because you use pecans. I usually use walnuts. I adore them with the pecans. Bye bye walnuts! Thanks for the recipe!
Nothing says the holidays like a plate full of snow-dusted polvorones ! These look amazing!
Perfect and delicious. Family loves them.
I’ve been on the hunt for a snowball cookie recipe, and I’m thrilled to say that I’ve finally found a good one!
Melt in your mouth delicious.
These remind me of my grandma’s house. Thank you for the recipe.
Well, I got powdered sugar all over the place but man were they good.