The Ultimate Mexican Wedding Cookies (Decorated Christmas Cookies!)
Imagine a cookie so buttery and tender it literally melts in your mouth, a delicate, crescent-shaped shortbread packed with finely chopped pecans and hidden under a thick, snowy blanket of powdered sugar. That, my friends, is the timeless, irresistible magic of Mexican Wedding Cookies. Known by many names—Russian Tea Cakes, Snowball Cookies—this is, without a doubt, one of the most beloved and essential cookies for any Christmas platter.
I promise you, there is no greater holiday delight than biting into one of these powdered sugar-dusted treasures. The cookie itself is short, crisp, and nutty, and the double coating of confectioners’ sugar gives it a sweet, cool finish that is simply enchanting. They are the quintessential Christmas cookie, perfect for gifting, sharing, and enjoying with a warm cup of coffee.
Get ready to master a true holiday classic, a cookie so delicious and beloved, it will be the first to disappear from every gathering, every single year.
Why These are the Perfect Christmas Cookie
You are going to fall in love with the simple elegance and incredible flavor of these cookies. They are a holiday staple for so many reasons. Here’s why:
- The Ultimate Melt-in-Your-Mouth Texture: These cookies are famous for their incredibly short, tender, and buttery crumb that simply dissolves on your tongue.
- Beautifully Simple and Elegant: Coated in a thick layer of powdered sugar, these cookies look like beautiful, freshly fallen snowballs, making them a stunning addition to any holiday platter.
- A Rich, Buttery, and Nutty Flavor: The combination of pure butter, finely chopped pecans, and vanilla is a classic for a reason—it’s simple, sophisticated, and absolutely delicious.
Recipe Snapshot
| Prep Time | 30 minutes |
| Cook Time | 15 minutes |
| Total Time | 45 minutes |
| Servings | About 6 dozen (72 cookies) |
| Calories | 88 kcal per cookie |
| Course | Dessert |
| Cuisine | International |
| Difficulty/Method | Easy / Baking |
Your Shopping List for These Buttery Delights
This classic cookie comes together with just a handful of simple, high-quality ingredients.
→ For the Mexican Wedding Cookies
- 2 cups (4 sticks) butter → Softened to room temperature. This is the heart and soul of the cookie, so use a good quality butter!
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar → For the dough, plus more for the essential snowy coating.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract → For that classic, warm bakery flavor.
- 4 cups all-purpose flour → Spooned and leveled for an accurate measurement.
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans → The key to the nutty flavor and delicate texture.
Let’s Get Baking! Your Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to create these melt-in-your-mouth holiday classics? Let’s get started.
Part 1: The Buttery Pecan Dough
- Preheat Your Oven: First thing, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). You’ll be using ungreased baking sheets for this recipe.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream the softened butter and 1 cup of the confectioners’ sugar together until the mixture is light, pale, and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla extract.
- Combine the Dough: On low speed, gradually beat in the flour until it’s almost combined. Be careful not to overmix! Finally, stir in the finely chopped pecans with a spatula until they are evenly distributed.
Part 2: Shape, Bake, and Coat
- Shape the Crescents: Take about one tablespoon of dough for each cookie and shape it into a 2-inch crescent. Place the crescents about 2 inches apart on your ungreased baking sheets.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. The cookies are done when they are set and just barely starting to turn a light golden brown on the bottoms. They will still be very pale on top.
- The First Roll in Sugar: This step is key! Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for just a minute or two until you can handle them, but while they are still very warm. Gently roll each warm cookie in a shallow bowl of additional confectioners’ sugar until it’s coated.
- Cool and Coat Again: Place the sugar-coated cookies on a wire rack to cool completely. Once they are fully cool, roll them in the confectioners’ sugar one more time for that beautiful, thick, snowy finish.
Buttery Pecan Crescent Cookies (Mexican Wedding Cookies)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and 1 cup of confectioners’ sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla extract.
- On low speed, gradually beat in the flour until just combined. Stir in the finely chopped pecans.
- Shape each tablespoon of dough into a 2-inch crescent. Place the crescents 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
- Bake until the bottoms are a light golden brown, about 12-15 minutes. The tops will be pale.
- Let the cookies cool for just a minute or two on the pan, then while they are still warm, gently roll each cookie in a bowl of additional confectioners’ sugar.
- Transfer the coated cookies to wire racks to cool completely. Once cool, roll them in the confectioners’ sugar a second time for a thick, snowy coating.
Notes
WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for Perfect Wedding Cookies
These simple secrets are the key to achieving that signature melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Finely Chop Your Pecans. For the best texture that truly melts in your mouth, your pecans should be very finely chopped, almost to a coarse meal. A food processor makes quick work of this! This prevents large, chunky nuts from interrupting the delicate crumb.
- Don’t Overmix the Flour. Once you add the flour, mix only until it is just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten, which will make your cookies tough instead of short and tender.
- The Double Sugar Roll is a MUST. This is the professional secret to that beautiful, thick, snowy coating that doesn’t melt away. The first roll while the cookies are warm helps the sugar adhere and form a base layer. The second roll when they are cool provides that perfect, powdery finish.
- Use Room Temperature Butter. Properly softened butter is key to a dough that comes together smoothly and has the right texture. It should be soft enough to indent with your finger, but not greasy or melty.
- Don’t Overbake! These cookies should be very pale. Pull them from the oven as soon as the bottoms are a light golden brown. Overbaking will make them dry and hard instead of tender and melty.
Keep Them Fresh! Storing Your Holiday Cookies
These cookies have an excellent shelf life, making them a perfect make-ahead choice for the busy holiday season.
- Storage: Once the cookies are completely cool and have had their final coating of sugar, they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to two weeks! The flavor even gets better after a day or two.
FAQs: Your Mexican Wedding Cookie Questions, Answered!
Can I use a different kind of nut?
Yes, absolutely! While pecans are traditional, these cookies are also fantastic made with finely chopped walnuts, almonds, or even hazelnuts. Just be sure to chop them very finely.
Can I make these into balls instead of crescents?
Of course! The “snowball” shape is another very classic version of this cookie. Simply roll the dough into 1-inch balls instead of shaping them into crescents. The baking time will be about the same.
Why are they called Mexican Wedding Cookies and Russian Tea Cakes?
It’s a cookie with a global history! Butter and nut-based shortbread cookies like these are found in many cultures. They are popular at celebrations like weddings in Mexico (polvorones), served with tea in Russia and Eastern Europe (Russian tea cakes), and are a Christmas staple in many American homes (snowball cookies).
Can I freeze these cookies?
Yes, they freeze beautifully! You can freeze them after their first light coating of sugar. Let them cool, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to serve, let them thaw and then give them their final roll in powdered sugar to freshen them up.
Final Thoughts: A Timeless Taste of Celebration
There is something truly special about a cookie that is loved in so many cultures and has been a part of celebrations for generations. These Mexican Wedding Cookies are the epitome of a classic holiday bake—simple, elegant, and unbelievably delicious. They are a beautiful tradition in a single bite. I hope this recipe brings a little bit of that sweet, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth magic to your Christmas festivities. Happy Baking!
