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Everyone seems to have a different name for these melt-in-your-mouth Mexican Wedding Cookies. Regardless of what you call them, they’re dangerously delicious! Eat just one? Yeah, right.
Mexican Wedding Cookies
Every time I bite into one of these powdered sugar coated Mexican wedding cookies, I’m reminded of my grandmother. I have a vivid memory of her, rolling them out with me between her hands. She was the source of so many delicious foods in my childhood, like her crave-worthy “monster cookies“.
I remember how carefully she would set out the finished cookies on an elegant platter before serving them. Of course, I would sneak one from the tray. But, she always pretended not to notice the ring of powdered sugar I left behind as evidence. And, she always made more than enough to go around.
Omg! THESE ARE SO ADDICTIVE!!….I HARDLY HAD ANY COOKIES LEFT FOR COOKIE ORDERS I DID!! Last year I made these cookies to sell for the first time, the recipe turn out irresistibly perfect everytime…
Thanks for my new addition!!! 💛😋
That first bite delivers delightful sweetness from the powdered sugar, but gives way to a buttery rich dough that quite literally melts in your mouth. And, the nuts add the perfect amount of crunch and a light nutty flavor to each bite. It’s a light cookie that never fails to make think of Christmas.
Now that I’m the adult in the kitchen, I try to make sure to give the little kids in my family the same kind of wonderful experience that my grandma gave me. We turn on the Christmas carols, put on our aprons, and don’t worry about the mess.
Snowball Cookies
The first time I shared this recipe online, I was shocked by the response. It felt like everyone had a different name for these cookies! Who knew that a buttery shortbread cookie, loaded up with finely chopped nuts and coated with powdered sugar would be so popular?
I’ve seen them called Russian tea cakes, polvorones, snowball cookies, Egyptian feast cookies, nut butter balls, Norwegian snowballs, kourambie, walnut delights, pecan petites, holiday nuggets, and Swedish heirloom cookies. If you know another name for this cookie, be sure to leave me a comment so I can add it to the list!
While I tend to associate them with the holidays, they make a wonderful treat year round. Enjoy them with a cup of tea or coffee, at a party, or cozied up at home, and make your own fond memories with the ones you love.
Recipe Tip
PLEASE NOTE that the dough for these cookies will be very dry. So, be sure to measure the flour carefully. If the dough is too dry to roll into balls and won’t stick together, you can add a tiny splash of water to the mix until it works. It shouldn’t take more than a tablespoon or so.
You can also hold each scoop in your hands to warm it for a moment and it will come together nicely to form into balls for each cookie.
Mexican Wedding Cookies Recipe
I was 18 years old when I tried making these cookies on my own for the first time. I had my grandmother’s Mexican wedding cookies recipe, but I thought I knew best. So, I didn’t roll the warm cookies gently through the powdered sugar. Let’s not talk about what I did, ok? Let’s just say that it was a big mess.
So, the best advice I can give you is to FOLLOW the recipe. It does take a little time to roll the warm cookies gently through powdered sugar. But, if you accept that grandma knows best, then yours will turn out every bit as perfect as hers always did. The easiest method I’ve found is to put about a cup of powdered sugar in a bowl and then roll them in that, a few at a time.
Any time I’m baking cookies, I have to give a nod to my favorite baking sheets. They’re hefty without being heavy, come in a bunch of sizes, and the price is right. I’ve had some of mine for over 10 years, and every baker I know uses them in their kitchen.
Christmas Cookies
It seems like every year, there are more and more Christmas cookies to make. And, I’m honestly not mad about it. I love sweet treats, and these Mexican wedding cookies are perfect for sharing. So, if you’re looking for some more options to round out the dessert table, I’ve got you covered.
Sugared Shortbread Cookies are a classic cookie that everyone loves. Around Christmas time we also love to make them to nibble by the Christmas tree or give as gifts.
You can never go wrong with classic iced sugar cookies this time of year. Set out on a plate for Santa, or saved for yourself, nothing says “Christmas” quite like sugar cookies. And for what it’s worth, my friend Katrina has the best recipe ever for cut out cookies. I’ve been making these for years now.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Ritz Cookies are a super simple no-bake cookie recipe that everyone finds irresistible. I love to make a big batch to keep in the freezer and have ready any time company comes over or I need a last-minute treat to take to a party.
Mexican Wedding Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar plus more for rolling
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Cream together the butter, sugar and vanilla. Slowly add the flour and salt and mix just until combined. Stir in the nuts.
- Scoop into 1-inch balls and round them smooth between your hands. Bake 10-12 minutes, until cookies are set but not browned.
- Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the tray for a minute or two and then roll each warm cookie in powdered sugar and set them a cooling rack.
- Once the cookies have fully cooled, roll them once or twice more in powdered sugar. Store in an airtight container.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
{originally published 11/21/13 – notes and photos updated 12/8/25}
Such a great one! As a matter of fact, Ella just asked if we could make these this year.
Wow! What a decadent treat — but so gorgeous. I just might need to add these to the cookie platter this year.
My MIL always made these at Christmas and I think they are addictive.
do you think i could substitute gluten free AP flour or a gluten free flour blend? any suggestions?
yes, but try King Arthur All Purpose gluten free. It exchanges very well with wheat based flour.
Hello,
One of our favorites. My mom makes them every Christmas. Yummy!
You know I've never made these classics, they look adorable.
OMGosh those look good I love them. Keebler cookie makes them just at the Christmas season and I always bought 2 boxes of them for me to eat LOL
I didn't realize they were so easy to make and now I need to cut way back on what I eat for health reasons
There is no comparison to the home made version. Try them once in your life. The actually melt in your mouth!
Is there a trick to these cookies — the last few years I tried various recipes, but they end up very dry and so crumbly when you bite into them. What am I doing wrong? Is it the oven temp?
Don't overwork the dough. Stir until just blended. HTH
Yes, I think you are over cooking them. They should NOT be browned.
I dont like walnuts or pecans at all and i dont wanna put any kind of nuts. Can i do them without or is there something else i can put in them maybe mini choc chips? Any suggestions
Mini chocolate chips work excellent. That’s how my daughter bakes them.
I've been making wedding cookies for over 30 years. Remove the cookies from the oven when they are VERY LIGHTLY browned and immediately roll them in powdered sugar. Once cooled, roll them in more. Be sure to store them in an airtight container, and I usually wait 5 days or so before eating them. To me, the flavor develops over time and they become less brittle. Also, if they are layered in the container, sprinkle a small bit of powdered sugar between the layers.
I NEVER wait to eat them and they are awesome!
Use only real butter other shortenings will change cookie recipes, and not for the better.
Great point!
What a lovely alternative to rum balls.
My mother makes these at Christmas, hiding 1/4 of a candied cherry in the middle of some of them. They're wonderful.
Just seeing your photos reminded me of the marvelous aroma of these cookies. My mom used to make them! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Tried the recipe just now, while i was baking a devils food cake and the cookies turn out REALLY GOOD , Thanks
I made it today ,very good and easy!!!!thanks!
Would you freeze these cookies with the powdered sugar on them?
Yes, you’ll freeze them once they’ve been rolled in sugar.
i made them and they where very good!
We made them to leave for Santa…so we called them ….santas balls….lol
Lol!!!
I made some of these this past Sunday. Yummy in da Tummy . Going to make more for Christmas gifts.
Made some we loved them! yummmy
You can use red or green food coloring for Christmas.
I come from Greece and we call these cookies << Kourabiethes>> I make them every year at holiday time and couple more times throughout the year, my friend love them, but my mother's recipe called for egg yolks, baking powder and some brandy. Next time I will try them with this recipe and see.
I MADE THE SNOW BALLS COOKIES..DELISH