Name: Buttery Mexican Wedding Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 24
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup (227 g or 2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature; 1¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour; 1 heaping cup pecans (240 ml); 1¼ cups (150 g) powdered sugar, divided; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 tsp almond extract; ½ tsp sea salt; ¼ tsp cinnamon

Mexican wedding cookies dance on the palate with a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth charm that captures generations of culinary love.

These powdery white gems blend rich butter, crunchy nuts, and a whisper of sweetness into one irresistible bite.

Steeped in cultural tradition, these cookies transform simple ingredients into pure magic on a plate.

Their crumbly texture and delicate coating tell stories of family celebrations and cherished moments.

Rooted in Mexican culinary heritage, these treats bring comfort and joy with every nibble.

Crafted with love and precision, they represent more than just a dessert, they’re an edible memory.

Get ready to fall in love with a cookie that promises pure deliciousness!

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 145 kcal

Servings: 24

For Cookie Base:

Flour: Choose unbleached all-purpose flour for consistent texture.
Ground Cinnamon: Select fresh, aromatic ground cinnamon for warm flavor depth.

For Fat and Sweeteners:

Butter, Powdered Sugar: Use high-quality unsalted butter at room temperature for smooth blending.

For Nutty Elements:

Pecans: Select fresh, crisp pecans with no bitter or rancid smell.

For Flavor Enhancers:

Almond Extract, Vanilla Extract: Choose pure extracts for rich, authentic taste.

For Finishing Touch:

Powdered Sugar: Pick fine-textured sugar for smooth coating.

For Baking Essentials:

Salt: Use fine sea salt to balance and enhance overall cookie flavor.
Parchment Paper: Select non-stick, pre-cut sheets for easy cookie release.

How to Bake These Nutty Cookies

Prepare Your Baking Zone

Set up a cozy baking area with two parchment-lined sheets and preheat the oven to a warm 350°F. Get ready for a delightful pecan cookie adventure.

Craft the Nutty Base

Gently toast pecans in a skillet until they release their rich, aromatic oils. Pulse them into a rustic, crumbly texture that will add depth to your cookies.

Blend Dry Ingredients

Whisk together flour and a sprinkle of warming cinnamon in a bowl, creating a soft, fragrant foundation for your sweet treats.

Mix the Creamy Dough

Cream butter, sugar, and a pinch of salt until light and fluffy. Splash in almond and vanilla extracts for a burst of flavor. Slowly incorporate the flour mixture, then fold in the toasted pecans for a delightful crunch.

Shape and Chill

Scoop the dough into tender balls. If the mixture feels too soft, let it rest in the refrigerator for a quick 30-minute chill to make shaping easier. Arrange the cookies on your prepared baking sheets.

Bake and Transform

Slide the cookies into the oven and bake until the edges turn a beautiful golden hue, about 13-16 minutes. Let them rest on the baking sheet, allowing them to set and develop a perfect texture.

Sugar Sparkle Finish

While the cookies are still warm, lovingly roll each one in a cloud of powdered sugar. Watch as they transform into delicate, snow-kissed delights. Transfer to a cooling rack and let them cool completely.

Tips for Even Baking and Powder Coating

Experiment with different nuts like almonds or walnuts for unique flavor profiles. Swap traditional extracts with maple or coconut to create surprising taste dimensions.

Prepare cookie dough balls in advance and freeze up to 3 months. Store uncoated cookies in airtight containers for convenient future baking.

Dust cookies with cinnamon or add orange zest for holiday-themed variations. Sprinkle crushed candy canes during winter celebrations for extra charm.

Ensure butter is room temperature for smoother mixing. Chill dough if too soft, which helps prevent spreading and maintains compact cookie shape. Use parchment paper for consistent baking and easy cleanup.

Presenting These Snowy Favorites

Heavenly Holiday Platter: Arrange these delicate pecan cookies on a festive ceramic plate, dusted with extra powdered sugar for a snowfall-like presentation that'll wow your guests.
Perfect Pairing Partners: Serve alongside a steaming mug of hot chai tea or rich espresso to complement the warm cinnamon and nutty pecan flavors.
Gift-Worthy Packaging: Stack cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with rustic twine, creating charming homemade gift packages perfect for neighbors, teachers, or holiday gatherings.
Dessert Table Star: Create an elegant cookie display by varying cookie heights using small cake stands or vintage plates, making these powdered sugar cookies the centerpiece of your dessert spread.

Store with Care to Maintain Texture

Preserve Freshness: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, keeping them soft and delectable.
Freezing Magic: Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months, maintaining their delightful texture and flavor.
Make-Ahead Brilliance: Prepare cookie dough in advance and refrigerate for 2-3 days before baking, saving time and ensuring maximum convenience.
Strategic Serving: Keep a batch of these pecan-packed treats ready for unexpected guests or sudden sweet cravings, allowing you to impress with minimal effort.

Baking Tools for Powdered Perfection

Stand Mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar smoothly.
Food Processor: Perfect for grinding toasted pecans into coarse meal.
Medium Pan: Used for gentle toasting of pecans.
Two Medium Bowls: One for dry ingredients, another for powdered sugar coating.
1-Tablespoon Cookie Scoop: Helps create uniform cookie sizes.
Parchment Paper: Ensures cookies don't stick and bake evenly.
Baking Sheets: Provides surface for cookie preparation and baking.
Wire Rack: Allows cookies to cool completely without getting soggy.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise ingredient measurements are key.

Buttery Mexican Wedding Cookies Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 12 reviews

Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 24 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Sweet Mexican wedding cookies blend almond and vanilla flavors into buttery, powdered sugar-coated delights. Crumbly shortbread-style treats originate from European and Mexican culinary traditions, inviting warm memories of family celebrations and festive gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup (227 g or 2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
1 heaping cup pecans (240 ml)
1¼ cups (150 g) powdered sugar, divided
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract
½ tsp sea salt
¼ tsp cinnamon

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Instructions

Preparation: Ignite the oven to 350°F and drape parchment paper across two baking sheets. Delicately toast pecans in a skillet over low heat, stirring periodically until an aromatic fragrance emerges. Pulse toasted nuts in a food processor into a coarse, rustic meal.
Dry Mixture Preparation: Whisk flour and ground cinnamon in a bowl until impeccably blended. Reserve powdered sugar for the final coating in a separate container.
Dough Creation: Utilize a stand mixer to whip butter, powdered sugar, and salt into a light, airy mixture. Introduce almond and vanilla extracts, ensuring thorough incorporation. Gradually integrate the flour mixture, then tenderly fold in ground pecans until a cohesive dough materializes.
Shaping and Chilling: If the dough appears overly tacky, refrigerate for 15-20 minutes. Employ a cookie scoop to portion the dough, rolling each section into smooth, uniform spheres. Arrange the cookie orbs onto prepared baking sheets.
Baking and Coating: Slide the sheets into the preheated oven, baking for 13-16 minutes until edges transform into a delicate golden hue. Allow cookies to rest on the sheets for 15 minutes, then gently enrobe each warm cookie in the reserved powdered sugar.
Cooling and Finishing: Transfer cookies to a wire rack, permitting them to cool completely and enabling the powdered sugar coating to set elegantly.

Notes

Toast Nuts Carefully: Low and slow heat prevents burning, releasing deeper nutty flavors and creating a more complex pecan texture.
Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerating helps control stickiness and allows butter to firm up, ensuring perfectly shaped cookies with clean edges.
Handle Warm Cookies Gently: Roll cookies in powdered sugar while still warm to create a smooth, even coating that adheres beautifully.
Store with Precision: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain their delicate texture and powdery finish.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Desserts, Snacks
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 24
Calories: 145
Sugar: 10 g
Sodium: 75 mg
Fat: 14 g
Saturated Fat: 8 g
Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 16 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 2 g
Cholesterol: 30 mg

Michael Thompson

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Education

Southwestern Oregon Community College

Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.

Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care.

After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.

Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.