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Close-up shot of Mexican Wedding Cookies showing the thick powdered sugar coating and a broken cookie revealing chopped nuts inside.

Mexican Wedding Cookies: The Ultimate Buttery Nut Shortbread Recipe

These classic Mexican Wedding Cookies are buttery, crumbly, and heavily coated in powdered sugar. Featuring a rich shortbread texture and finely chopped nuts, these bite-sized snowball treats melt in your mouth and look beautiful on any dessert platter.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Calories: 150
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cookie Ingredients
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened (227g)
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar for dough (60g)
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract pure (15ml)
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (280g)
  • 1/4 tsp salt (1.5g)
  • 1 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts (120g)
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar for coating (180g)

Equipment

  • 1 Stand Mixer Or hand mixer
  • 1 Cookie Scoop 1 tablespoon size
  • 2 Baking sheet Lined with parchment paper
  • 1 Fine-mesh Sieve For dusting sugar

Instructions
 

Preparation and Dough
  1. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/2 cup (60g) powdered sugar until pale and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  2. Whisk together flour and salt, then gradually add to the butter mixture on low speed. Fold in the finely chopped nuts until just combined; the dough should be crumbly but hold together when pressed.
  3. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on prepared baking sheets. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12-15 minutes until set but not browned.
  4. Cool cookies for 3 minutes, then roll in additional powdered sugar while still warm. Let cool completely on a rack, then roll in sugar a second time for a thick coating. Dust with extra sugar before serving.

Notes

Do not overbake; cookies should stay pale on top to maintain their melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Always perform the first roll in sugar while cookies are warm so it sticks properly.
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