How to Make Mexican Wedding Cookies

Mexican wedding cookies are a traditional dessert recipe for holidays, weddings and other celebrations. You might know them as Mexican wedding cakes, polvorónes, snowballs, Russian tea cakes, pecan cookies or about a hundred other names. The shortbread-style cookies are soft, buttery, slightly crumbly and coated in powdered sugar. Bake them for your next wedding shower, party or cookie exchange!

For another delicious Mexican dessert, try these spicy chocolate crinkle cookies.

How to Make Mexican Wedding Cookies

They’ll be gone before you know it, so be sure to whip up plenty for everyone to enjoy. The recipe below makes about 6 dozen cookies.

Ingredients

• 2 cups butter, softened
• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans
• Additional confectioners’ sugar

Psst… Do you find that cookie recipes never turn out exactly how you planned? Our Food Editor can help.

Step 1: Mix

Preheat the oven to 350°. Cream the butter and confectioners’ sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla, then gradually beat in the flour. Gently fold in the pecans.

Here’s a secret that will make pecans and other nuts the perfect addition to any dessert.

Step 2: Mold

Scoop out dough by the tablespoon and shape into 2-in. crescents or roll into balls. (Both are traditional shapes, so you’re good to go either way.) Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. The extra space should help each buttery cookie brown evenly.

Step 3: Bake

Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, until light brown. While they’re baking, take some time to tidy up your kitchen.

Step 4: Coat with powdered sugar

While the Mexican wedding cakes are still warm, roll each cookie in additional confectioners’ sugar. Let them cool on wire racks.

 

You’re all set—time to relax with a warm cookie and a cup of coffee!

Find More Mexican Desserts to Celebrate With

1 / 10

Shortcut Tres Leches Cake

My mom's favorite cake is Tres Leches, a butter cake soaked in three kinds of milk. I developed a no-fuss version that’s rich and tender. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California

Get Recipe

Creamy Caramel Flan

A small slice of this impressively rich, creamy flan dessert goes a long way. What a delightful finish for a special meal or holiday celebration. —Pat Forete, Miami, Florida

Get Recipe

Chocolate Mexican Wedding Cakes

These spiced balls are a yummy twist on a traditional favorite. Sometimes I add mini chocolate chips to the dough and, after baking, dip the cooled cookies in melted almond bark. —Joanne Valkema, Freeport, Illinois

Get Recipe

Arroz Con Leche (Rice Pudding)

Sweet and simple, this creamy arroz con leche recipe is real comfort food in any language. You’ll love the warm raisin and cinnamon flavors. It’s great served cold, too. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California

Get Recipe

Sopaipilla Stars

These deep-fried breads were a hit when I made them for our daughter's birthday party. They're a fun way to round out a Mexican-themed meal. —Glenda Jarboe, Oroville, California

Get Recipe

Tres Leches Cupcakes

This cupcake version of tres leches cake actually uses four types of milk, plus cream, but quatro leches cake just doesn’t have the same delicious ring to it. If you love dairy, you won’t be disappointed with this special take on the classic.

Get Recipe

Pastelitos De Boda

In Mexico, these rich cookies are called "Little Wedding Cakes" and usually are served with hot chocolate. Since moving here close to Mexico from the Midwest, I've enjoyed trying authentic recipes—they're a sharp departure from the Iowa favorites I grew up with! I love introducing these to relatives and friends! —Terri Lins, San Diego, California

Get Recipe

Not-Fried Ice Cream Cake

We created this ice cream cake to mimic the popular dessert in many Mexican restaurants without the deep frying. It’s a no-fuss treat that feeds a crowd. Plus, it’s conveniently made ahead. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Get Recipe

Mexican Ice Cream

"I made this ice cream for my grandma and her friends and they said it was so good." This simple, flavorful dessert is a perfect way to get kids involved in the kitchen. —Ben Phipps, Lima, Ohio

Get Recipe

Dulce de Leche Banana Cream Pie

A sweet reminder of South America that comes together fast if you use a store-bought crust and dulce de leche product. —Leisa Miller, Shellbrook, Saskatchewan

Get Recipe

The post How to Make Mexican Wedding Cookies appeared first on Taste of Home.

Ceara Milligan