Mexican Wedding Cookies
I grew up having these from Archway Cookies every Christmas. Our neighbors worked at the archway factory and would always gift us a box of cookies. It’s hard to find archway now, so I just make them. I know these go by a lot of different names, snowball cookies, Russian tea cakes, wedding cakes, etc.
1 cup butter, room temp
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, divided
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
2 1/4 cups flour
3/4 cups chopped nuts (walnut, pecan, hazelnut…whichever you prefer)
-Preheat oven to 400
-Mix butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar and vanilla together.
-Stir in nuts and salt
-Stir in flour
-You will have a crumbly looking dough. The dough should hold together when squeezed. Squeeze dough into Tbsp size balls and out onto your parchment lined cookie sheet.
-Bake for 10-12 minutes
-Let cool for a few minutes then roll cookies in powdered sugar while still warm.
-Let fully cool and roll them once again in the powdered sugar. #holidayeats #lemon8challenge #snowballcookies #mexicanweddingcookies #cookierecipe
Mexican Wedding Cookies, also known as snowball cookies, Russian tea cakes, or wedding cakes, are a beloved treat during the holidays and special occasions. Their distinctive crumbly texture and rich buttery flavor, combined with the nutty crunch from walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts, create a delightful bite that’s both comforting and festive. A key to perfecting these cookies is using room temperature butter and carefully incorporating the powdered sugar in two stages: half mixed into the dough to add sweetness and tenderness, and the rest used for coating. Rolling the freshly baked cookies twice in powdered sugar ensures they have a beautiful snowy finish and keeps them delightfully sweet. The dough's crumbly texture before baking might seem unusual, but it should hold together when pressed into balls. Baking at a relatively high temperature (400°F) for just 10-12 minutes helps the cookies set while keeping the interior tender. For variety, you can experiment with different nut types depending on your preference or what you have on hand. Pecans give a slightly sweeter, softer crunch, walnuts add earthiness, and hazelnuts provide a richer, unique flavor. Toasting the nuts lightly beforehand will enhance their aroma and deepen the cookie’s flavor profile. These cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings, weddings, or as a simple homemade gift. They store well in an airtight container for several days and even improve in flavor as the ingredients meld together over time. If you want to explore further, some bakers add a pinch of cinnamon or almond extract for an extra layer of flavor. Additionally, finely grinding the nuts gives the cookies a smoother texture, whereas coarsely chopped nuts provide a pleasant bite. The nostalgic connection many have with Mexican Wedding Cookies—whether from gifts like Archway Cookies or family traditions—makes this recipe a wonderful way to recreate cherished memories or start new ones. Baking these cookies is straightforward, rewarding, and delivers a delicious, melt-in-your-mouth treat that pairs perfectly with tea or coffee.
I have to make these 🥰🥰