Jolly Mexican Christmas Cookies Recipe: Fiesta of Flavors!

Sweet memories of holiday gatherings dance through kitchens when traditional Mexican Christmas cookies fill the air with warmth and nostalgia.

These delicate polvorones carry generations of culinary heritage and comfort in every crumbly bite.

Bakers across Mexico craft these tender treats with simple ingredients that speak volumes about cultural richness.

Each cookie tells a story of family traditions passed down through decades of celebration.

Generations have perfected this recipe, blending rich butter, ground almonds, and delicate powdered sugar into melt-in-your-mouth confections.

The gentle dusting of powdered sugar transforms these humble cookies into sparkling holiday treasures.

Join the festive baking tradition and create these irresistible Mexican Christmas cookies that will become your new seasonal favorite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 118 kcal

Servings: 24

Ingredients That Make Mexican Christmas Cookies Special

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the cookie's structure, ensures a tender and delicate texture.
• Salt: Enhances flavor complexity and balances the sweetness of the cookies.

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and creates a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates a delicate sweetness and contributes to the cookie's signature powdery finish.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic depth and signature sweet undertone to the cookie.

• Chopped Nuts: Introduces delightful crunch and nutty complexity, elevating the cookie's overall sensory experience. Select fresh, crisp nuts like pecans or walnuts for best results.

• Additional Powdered Sugar: Creates a festive, snow-like appearance and adds an extra layer of delicate sweetness to the cookies.

Essentials to Bake Mexican Christmas Cookies

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining ingredients and mixing cookie dough thoroughly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Baking sheets: Two lined with parchment paper for even cookie baking.
• Spoon or spatula: Needed for mixing and folding ingredients.
• Tablespoon: Used for portioning cookie dough into consistent sizes.
• Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Cooling rack: Optional for cooling cookies after baking.

Instructions for Festive Mexican Christmas Cookies

• Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper for a smooth cookie adventure.

• Whip Together the Dough

Blend softened butter and powdered sugar until they dance together in a fluffy cloud. Splash in vanilla and mix gently. Gradually fold in flour and salt, creating a soft, dreamy dough. Sprinkle in chopped nuts for a delightful crunch.

• Shape Your Sweet Treasures

Roll small portions of dough into adorable balls, spacing them generously on the baking sheet. Give each cookie a gentle press to create a slight flattened top.

• Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the trays into the oven and let the cookies transform for 12-15 minutes until their edges turn a beautiful golden hue.

• Dust with Snowlike Sugar

Let the cookies rest briefly on the baking sheet. While still warm, give them a luxurious roll in powdered sugar. After cooling completely, treat them to a second sugar shower for thatal winter wonderland look.

Tips to Get That Classic Crumbly Cookie Texture

• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Replace chopped nuts with toasted coconut flakes or finely ground rolled oats for added crunch and flavor without nuts.
• Prepare the cookie dough up to 3 days in advance and store in the refrigerator, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, for convenient holiday baking.
• Swap regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these cookies accessible for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Experiment with adding orange zest, almond extract, or a pinch of ground cinnamon to enhance the traditional Mexican cookie flavor profile.

Serving Mexican Christmas Cookies the Traditional Way

• Holiday Cookie Platter Paradise: Arrange these delicate Mexican Christmas cookies on a festive ceramic plate with sprigs of fresh mint for a stunning presentation.
• Dessert Wine Pairing: Serve these powdery treats alongside a sweet Pedro Ximénez sherry or a light moscato to enhance their delicate nutty flavor profile.
• Gifting Gourmet Style: Package the cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with red and green ribbons, creating charming homemade holiday gifts that will delight family and friends.
• Cozy Afternoon Tea Companion: Place these tender cookies next to a steaming mug of hot chocolate or cinnamon-spiced coffee for a warm, comforting winter afternoon treat.

Save and Store Mexican Christmas Cookies for Gifting

• Keep Mexican Christmas Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their delicate texture and prevent crumbling.
• Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and dust with fresh powdered sugar before serving to restore their festive look.
• Prepare cookie dough up to 3 days in advance and refrigerate. When ready to bake, let the dough sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to soften, ensuring perfect texture and easy shaping.
• Pack cookies in decorative tins or clear gift bags tied with festive ribbons. Add a layer of tissue paper between cookies to protect their delicate shape and powdered sugar coating during transportation.

FAQs

• What are Mexican Christmas Cookies traditionally called?

These cookies are known as “Polvorones” or “Mexican Wedding Cookies”, which are classic shortbread-style treats popular during holiday celebrations and special occasions in Mexico.

• Why do these cookies have so much powdered sugar?

The double coating of powdered sugar creates a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture and gives the cookies their signature snow-white appearance, symbolizing winter and festive celebrations.

• Can I use different types of nuts in this recipe?

Yes! While the traditional recipe uses pecans or walnuts, you can substitute with almonds, pistachios, or any other finely chopped nuts you prefer without changing the basic cookie structure.

• Are these cookies difficult to make for beginners?

Not at all! These cookies are relatively simple, requiring basic baking skills like mixing, shaping, and rolling in sugar. Even novice bakers can successfully create these delicious traditional treats with minimal effort.

Festive Mexican Christmas Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Delightful polvorones reveal Mexico’s festive sweet traditions with powdery almond and cinnamon notes. Melt-in-mouth cookies invite holiday cheer and cultural connection for hungry celebrations.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (250 g / 8.8 oz) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (225 g / 8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (120 g / 4.2 oz) finely chopped pecans or walnuts
• ½ cup (60 g / 2.1 oz) powdered sugar, plus extra for dusting
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat Preparation: Configure oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie performance.
2. Dough Foundation: Cream butter and powdered sugar until achieving a light, fluffy consistency, creating a smooth base for the Mexican Christmas cookies.
3. Flavor Infusion: Blend vanilla extract thoroughly into the butter mixture, ensuring complete flavor integration and aromatic depth.
4. Dry Ingredient Incorporation: Gently fold flour and salt into the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft, cohesive dough forms without overmixing, maintaining a delicate texture.
5. Nut Integration: Delicately fold chopped nuts throughout the dough, ensuring even distribution for consistent flavor in each cookie bite.
6. Cookie Shaping and Positioning: Roll dough into uniform tablespoon-sized balls, placing them 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets to allow proper spreading during baking.
7. Baking Process: Slide baking sheets into preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges that indicate perfect doneness.
8. Initial Cooling and Sugar Coating: Remove cookies from oven, let rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then generously coat with powdered sugar while still warm for traditional Mexican Christmas cookie finish.
9. Final Presentation: Complete cooling, then dust with an additional layer of powdered sugar to create a festive, snow-like appearance that enhances both visual appeal and flavor.

Notes

Manage Butter Temperature: Ensure butter is softened but not melted, allowing smooth creaming that creates a light, airy texture critical for cookie consistency.

Control Mixing Technique: Avoid overmixing the dough, which can develop gluten and result in tough, dense cookies – mix just until ingredients combine smoothly.

Optimize Nut Distribution: Chop nuts finely and fold gently to prevent breaking the delicate dough structure, ensuring even flavor and texture throughout each cookie.

Master Sugar Coating: Apply first powdered sugar coating while cookies are still warm for better absorption, then add a second layer after complete cooling for a pristine, festive appearance.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 176
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 10 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 11 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 31 mg