This recipe for homemade Mexican Wedding Cookies features a buttery two bite pecan shortbread covered in powdered sugar. This kind of cookie has many names and they're sometimes called Pecan Balls, Russian Tea Cakes or Snowballs. Regardless of what they're called, it all spells delicious.
Easy Mexican Wedding Cookies Recipe
I love these crisp and buttery shortbread cookies. To make them, buttery rounds of homemade shortbread are mixed with chopped pecans and fresh orange zest and then baked in the perfect two-bite size. They're rolled in powdered sugar while warm transforming them into a glorious confection. While orange zest isn't a traditional ingredient, it does brighten the flavor of the dough quite a bit and gives them just a little something notable. It's unexpected, and people always comment on the fresh flavor.
How to Make the Best Mexican Wedding Cookies Recipe
These cookies are suitable for any occasion whether you're baking for a tea party with the girls, a baby or wedding shower or graduation party. Perhaps your planning a get together packed with holiday cookies for swapping with friends. Regardless, these cookies will make a stunning addition to the menu. If you love nutty shortbread cookies with a hint of citrus, these are the cookies for you.
- Ingredients needed to make this recipe for Mexican Wedding Cookies: All purpose flour, salt, 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, butter, fresh orange zest, orange extract, almond extract, vanilla extract and powdered sugar for rolling the cookies.
- Orange zest is not a traditional flavor found in most Mexican wedding cookies recipes. I do add it to mine, and it gives the dough for these cookies a bright flavor. While the recipe would certainly work without it, fresh orange zest adds a flavor twist that makes these cookies unforgettable.
- The secret to this cookie's appeal is rolling them in copious amounts of powdered sugar while they're still warm. I often roll them all then go back and repeat the process.
- You can make this cookie dough in advance and chill it in the refrigerator. Store it in an airtight container for up to 7 days. You can also freeze the dough for up to 2 months. Thaw frozen dough in the refrigerator overnight.
- Can you freeze baked Mexican Wedding Cookies? Yes, you can. Cool completely then store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge, then re-roll the cookies in powdered sugar just before serving.
More Southern Cookies Recipes to Make
Fill your cookie jar with these other Southern cookie recipes:
- These Browned Butter Pecan Sandies are an old school favorite updated with the flavor of browned butter.
- A fan favorite, my recipe for Butter Pecan Cookies is always popular.
- These Turtle Cookie Bars are filled with Rolo candy and pecans.
- Jumbo Peanut Butter Cowboy Cookies are filled with oats, peanuts, coconut and chocolate chips.
- and this recipe for Orange Crinkle Cookies from Amanda's Cookin'.
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
Mexican Wedding Cookies
Servings: 26 cookies
Calories: 159kcal
Ingredients
- 1 cup salted butter (2 sticks) softened
- ½ teaspoon pure orange extract
- ½ teaspoon pure almond extract
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 large orange zested
- 1 ¾ cup powdered sugar divided
- 2 cup all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line 2 standard baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream together the butter, orange, almond, vanilla extracts with ¾ cup powdered sugar for 5 minutes, stopping to scrape the bowl periodically.
- Mix in the orange zest at the end.
- Add the flour and salt mixing until the dough comes together. The dough will be somewhat chunky and crumbly.
- Stir in the nuts by hand.
- Divide the dough evenly and roll into approximately 1.5 inch balls. Place onto the baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove from oven and immediately roll in the remaining 1 cup powdered sugar. Repeat, if needed until all are completely covered,
- Cool completely, store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 159kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 85mg | Potassium: 30mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 221IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!
My name is Melissa and I'm the Creator of Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen. Cooking, baking, developing recipes and kitchen tips is my passion. I love sharing my dishes and connecting with people through the food that I create.
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Loretta Hedge
Is it a big deal to use unsalted butter?
Melissa
You can use unsalted butter. Increase the salt in the recipe to 1/2 teaspoon.
Dawn
Can I replace the orange for lemon ?
Melissa
You could, or omit altogether.
margie
Archway use to make cookies like this ? Cashew meltaways but I haven't found them!!!
Melissa
Wonderful, best wishes to the happy couple!
Kevin@long island catering halls
All looks delicious..I have noted its recipe that would try in my cousins wedding.. It makes my cousins wedding more special because he love cookies.Thanks for sharing this post.
Melissa
My pleasure, Carole.
Carole
Thank You. A new twist to an old favorite
Melissa
Thanks Melissa!
Melissa @ My Recent Favorite Books
These look delicious! =)
Pinned to my cookie board!