Description
Mexican wedding cookies offer a delightful snowball experience with powdered sugar-coated almond shortbread. Crumbly, buttery treats melt in your mouth, providing a sweet glimpse of holiday cheer.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 ¼ cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (120 g) finely chopped pecans or walnuts
- ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar (plus extra for rolling)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cookie release and cleanup.
- Butter Mixture: Cream softened butter and powdered sugar using electric mixer until fluffy and light, incorporating vanilla extract and salt for enhanced flavor profile.
- Dough Formation: Gradually fold flour into butter mixture, gently integrating chopped nuts to create a uniform, cohesive dough without overmixing.
- Cookie Shaping: Mold consistent 1-inch dough spheres using hands or cookie scoop, ensuring uniform size for even baking performance.
- Baking Process: Arrange cookie balls on prepared sheet with minimal spacing, then bake in preheated oven until edges turn delicately golden, approximately 12-15 minutes.
- Cooling and Coating: Rest cookies briefly on baking sheet, then transfer to wire rack and while still warm, generously dust with powdered sugar to create a pristine, snow-like exterior.
- Final Presentation: Allow cookies to cool completely, permitting powdered sugar coating to set and achieving optimal texture before serving or storing.
Notes
- Prevent Crumbly Texture: Ensure butter is softened at room temperature, not melted, to maintain cookie structure and smooth mixing.
- Master Uniform Sizing: Use a cookie scoop or consistent hand-rolling technique to create evenly sized balls, promoting uniform baking and professional appearance.
- Control Sugar Coating: Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar first, then re-coat once cooled for a thicker, more elegant snow-like finish that adheres better.
- Customize Nut Options: Swap traditional nuts with alternatives like pecans or almonds for different flavor profiles, or omit entirely for nut-free dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 25
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 0.1 g
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg