Oh, let me tell you about the joy of baking *Mexican wedding cookies*! These delightful little treats are buttery, crumbly, and simply melt in your mouth. I remember the first time I made them for a friend’s wedding; the sweet aroma wafting through my kitchen had everyone drooling! They’re not just for weddings, though; I love serving them at family gatherings and holiday parties. The way they’re coated in powdered sugar makes them look like little snowballs of happiness! Trust me, when you take a bite, you’ll be transported to a festive celebration. Let’s dive into the magic of making these scrumptious cookies together!
Ingredients for Mexican Wedding Cookies
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to making these delightful Mexican wedding cookies, and it couldn’t be simpler! Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: This is the base of our cookies, giving them that rich, buttery flavor. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy mixing!
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus more for dusting: This adds sweetness and contributes to the crumbly texture. We’ll roll the finished cookies in more powdered sugar for that classic snowy look!
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: This is where the magic happens! Vanilla enhances the flavor and makes the cookies taste divine.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: This is the backbone of our cookie dough. It provides structure and helps hold everything together.
- 1 cup ground nuts (walnuts or pecans): You can’t have Mexican wedding cookies without nuts! They add a lovely crunch and a nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the butter.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Just a pinch to balance out the sweetness and enhance all those delicious flavors!
That’s it! With these simple ingredients, you’re well on your way to creating a batch of these delightful cookies.
How to Prepare Mexican Wedding Cookies
Now that we’ve got our ingredients ready, let’s dive into the delightful process of making these *Mexican wedding cookies*! It’s a straightforward journey, and I promise you’ll love every step. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
First things first, we need to preheat our oven to 350°F (175°C). This is so important because starting with a hot oven helps the cookies bake evenly and achieve that perfect golden color. Trust me, you don’t want to skip this step!
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar together until it’s smooth and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes with a hand mixer or a stand mixer. The texture should be light and airy, which is key for those melt-in-your-mouth cookies!
Step 3: Add Vanilla Extract
Next, add in that lovely teaspoon of vanilla extract. This is where the flavor really starts to shine! Mix it well into the butter and sugar mixture. You’ll love how it adds a warm, inviting aroma to the dough!
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, ground nuts, and salt. This ensures everything is nicely combined and helps prevent clumping when we mix it all together later. Just a quick toss with a fork or whisk will do!
Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients
Now it’s time to gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture. I like to do this in three parts, mixing until just combined after each addition. This gentle mixing keeps the dough from becoming tough, which is key for that crumbly texture we’re aiming for.
Step 6: Shape the Cookies
Once your dough is mixed, it’s shaping time! Take small amounts of the dough and roll them into balls about 1 inch in diameter. It helps to keep them uniform in size for even baking. Place these little dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving a bit of space between each one.
Step 7: Bake the Cookies
Pop the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. You’ll want to keep an eye on them; they should be lightly golden on the bottom. Don’t worry if they look a bit pale on top; that’s just how they should be!
Step 8: Coat in Powdered Sugar
Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before rolling them in powdered sugar. This is the fun part! Roll them gently until they’re fully coated, then let them cool completely on a wire rack. They’ll look just like little snowballs, ready to be devoured!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super easy to prepare, making them perfect for bakers of all skill levels!
- Deliciously buttery and crumbly texture that melts in your mouth.
- The sweet aroma of vanilla and nuts fills your kitchen as they bake—simply irresistible!
- Perfectly festive for weddings, holidays, and any celebration where something sweet is needed.
- Versatile recipe—feel free to experiment with different nuts or even add cocoa powder for a chocolate twist!
- They’re a crowd-pleaser, with everyone loving the sugary coating that makes them look so pretty!
- Store well in an airtight container, so you can enjoy them throughout the week (if they last that long!).
Tips for Success with Mexican Wedding Cookies
Getting the perfect batch of *Mexican wedding cookies* is all about a few simple tricks! Here are my top tips to ensure your cookies turn out absolutely divine:
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature before you start. This helps create that fluffy texture when creaming with sugar. Cold butter can lead to dense cookies, and we want light and crumbly!
- Experiment with Nuts: While walnuts and pecans are traditional, feel free to get creative! Try using almonds or hazelnuts for a different flavor profile. You can also toast the nuts lightly before adding them for an extra depth of flavor.
- Don’t Overmix: When combining your wet and dry ingredients, mix just until everything is combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, which is a big no-no!
- Chill the Dough: If you find the dough too soft to shape, pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape while baking and can enhance the flavors too!
- Try Different Coatings: While powdered sugar is classic, consider rolling the cookies in cinnamon sugar for a spicy twist or even crushed freeze-dried strawberries for a fun pop of color!
- Keep an Eye on Baking Time: Ovens can vary, so start checking your cookies at the 15-minute mark. They’re ready when they’re lightly golden on the bottom, but still pale on top.
- Store Properly: To keep your cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want to freeze them, wrap each cookie individually and place them in a freezer bag. Just thaw them in the fridge before serving!
With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to baking the most delicious *Mexican wedding cookies*! Enjoy the process and happy baking!
Nutritional Information for Mexican Wedding Cookies
When you indulge in these delightful *Mexican wedding cookies*, it’s always good to know what you’re treating yourself to! Here’s a rough estimate of the nutritional values per cookie:
- Calories: 100
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 50mg
Please remember, these values can vary based on the specific ingredients you use and how big you make your cookies. But hey, a little treat now and then is totally worth it, right? Enjoy every crumb!
FAQ About Mexican Wedding Cookies
What are Mexican wedding cookies?
Mexican wedding cookies are delightful, buttery treats that are crumbly and coated in powdered sugar. They’re often served at weddings and festive occasions, making them a popular choice for celebrations!
Can I use different nuts in the recipe?
Absolutely! While walnuts and pecans are traditional, feel free to experiment with other nuts like almonds or hazelnuts. Just remember to finely chop or grind them to mix well into the dough.
How should I store the cookies?
To keep your *Mexican wedding cookies* fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to enjoy them later, you can freeze them individually wrapped for up to two months!
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for about 30 minutes before shaping the cookies. This makes it easier to work with and enhances the flavors!
What should I do if my cookies spread too much while baking?
If your cookies spread too much, it could be due to the butter being too soft or the dough not being chilled enough. Try chilling the dough for a longer time before baking, and ensure your butter is softened, not melted!
Mexican Wedding Cookies: 7 Secrets to Sweet Perfection
- Całkowity Czas: 35 minutes
- Ustępować: 24 cookies 1x
- Dieta: Wegańskie
Opis
Mexican wedding cookies are buttery, crumbly treats coated in powdered sugar. They are often served at weddings and celebrations.
Składniki
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus more for dusting
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup ground nuts (walnuts or pecans)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instrukcje
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, cream the butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until smooth.
- Add vanilla extract and mix well.
- In another bowl, combine flour, ground nuts, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until combined.
- Shape the dough into small balls and place them on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden.
- Let cool for a few minutes, then roll in powdered sugar.
- Allow to cool completely before serving.
Uwagi
- Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
- You can substitute nuts with other ingredients for variation.
- For a chocolate twist, add cocoa powder to the dough.
- Czas Przygotowania: 15 minutes
- Czas gotowania: 20 minutes
- Kategoria: Dessert
- Sposób: Baking
- Kuchnia: Mexican
Zasilanie
- Wielkość porcji: 1 cookie
- Kalorie: 100
- Cukier: 5g
- Sód: 50mg
- Kwasy: 7g
- Nasycony tłuszcz: 4g
- Tłuszcze Nienasycone: 2g
- Tłuszcze trans: 0g
- Węglowodany: 10g
- Włókno: 1g
- Białko: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Słowa kluczowe: Mexican wedding cookies, cookies, dessert, holiday treats
