Mexican Wedding Cakes, also known as Russian Tea Cakes or Snowballs, are a classic dessert that are perfect for any occasion. These buttery, nutty, and melt-in-your-mouth cookies are a staple in Mexican cuisine, especially during weddings and other celebrations. They are simple to make and require only a few ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.
Ingredient List
To make these delicious Mexican Wedding Cakes, you will need the following ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus more for rolling
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. You can use a hand mixer, stand mixer, or whisk to do this.
Step 3: Add the Flour, Nuts, and Salt
Add the flour, finely chopped nuts, and salt to the butter mixture. Mix everything together until a dough forms. Add the vanilla extract and mix again.
Step 4: Roll the Dough into Balls
Using your hands, roll the dough into small balls about 1 inch in diameter. Place them onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch of space between each one.
Step 5: Bake the Cookies
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they are lightly golden. Remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet.
Step 6: Roll the Cookies in Powdered Sugar
While the cookies are still warm, roll them in a bowl of powdered sugar until they are completely coated. You can also dust them with more powdered sugar after they have cooled down.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!
Serve these delicious Mexican Wedding Cakes to your guests with a cup of coffee or tea. They can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Nutrition Information
Each serving of Mexican Wedding Cakes (1 cookie) contains the following:
Calories: 100
Total Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 20mg
Sodium: 25mg
Total Carbohydrates: 7g
Dietary Fiber: 0.5g
Total Sugars: 2g
Protein: 1.5g
Tips and Variations
Here are some tips and variations to help you make the perfect Mexican Wedding Cakes:
If you don't have pecans or walnuts, you can use almonds, hazelnuts or even macadamia nuts for a different flavor.
Make sure to chop the nuts finely to ensure that they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to measure out the dough so that your cookies are all the same size.
Roll the cookies in powdered sugar twice, once while they are still warm and again when they have cooled down, to make sure that they are completely coated.
Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg or cardamom to the dough for a warm and spicy flavor.
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or in the freezer for up to a month.
Conclusion
Mexican Wedding Cakes are a delicious and easy-to-make dessert that are perfect for any occasion. With a few simple ingredients and some basic baking skills, you can make these buttery and nutty cookies in no time. Whether you're hosting a wedding or just want to satisfy your sweet tooth, these cookies are sure to please.