Classic Snowball Cookies Recipe - The BEST Mexican Wedding Cookies (2024)

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Last Updated: | First Published on: by Hari Chandana Ponnaluri

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Snowball Cookies or Russian Tea Cakes Recipe – Rich, buttery, delicate and delicious shortbread cookies that melt in your mouth. It is a traditional Christmas cookie recipe and perfect for the holidays!

Classic Snowball Cookies Recipe - The BEST Mexican Wedding Cookies (1)

What are Snowball Cookies?

Snowball Cookies are one of the traditional and popular Christmas cookies. They are tiny shortbread cookie balls rolled in powdered sugar when they are still warm. The cookies are so rich, addictive and they just melt in your mouth. Snowballs are also known as Mexican Wedding Cookies, Italian Wedding Cookies and Russian Tea Cakes.

Ingredients for Snowball Cookies

You just need 6 simple ingredients to make these classic cookies at home.

All-Purpose Flour

Corn Flour or Corn Starch

Unsalted Butter

Powdered Sugar

Vanilla Essence

Salt

Italian Wedding Cookies Variations:

These simple little Mexican Wedding Cookies are so versatile and can also be made with almonds, pecans, walnuts, chocolate chips, lemon or pistachios.

Classic Snowball Cookies Recipe - The BEST Mexican Wedding Cookies (2)

How long can you store the unbaked cookie dough?

You can store in the refrigerator for 4-5 days or freeze it for about 2 months.

How long can you store Russian Tea Cakes or Cookies?

They can stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Can you freeze Mexican Wedding Cookies?

Yes, they freeze extremely well. Once the cookies are baked and rolled in powdered sugar, arrange them in an airtight container and separate the layers with parchment papers. You can freeze them for up to 2 months. Let them thaw at room temperature and roll them in some powdered sugar again before serving.

Why did my Russian Tea Cakes flatten?

The traditional Russian Tea Cakes should be round in shape. Make sure the oven is preheated well and the dough is chilled before baking.

Classic Snowball Cookies Recipe - The BEST Mexican Wedding Cookies (3)

Tips to Make the Best Snowball Cookies:

  • Follow the exact measurements to make them perfect.
  • Make sure the dough is firm and chilled when you bake.
  • Shape the dough into 1-inch size balls to bake them evenly.
  • Be careful not to overbake the cookies. They are done when the edges of the cookies just start to brown and the bottoms are very lightly browned.
  • You will need to roll the baked cookies in powdered sugar when they are still warm.
  • Once they are cool, roll them again in powdered sugar if needed.
  • If you want to make super white snowball cookies, roll them twice in powdered sugar.

Mexican Wedding Cookies Recipe with Step by Step Photos:

Classic Snowball Cookies Recipe - The BEST Mexican Wedding Cookies (4)

  • Combine the flours and salt in a bowl and keep it aside.

Classic Snowball Cookies Recipe - The BEST Mexican Wedding Cookies (5)

  • In a mixing bowl. add unsalted butter and powdered sugar. Beat until it is creamy and smooth.

Classic Snowball Cookies Recipe - The BEST Mexican Wedding Cookies (6)

  • Add vanilla essence.

Classic Snowball Cookies Recipe - The BEST Mexican Wedding Cookies (7)

  • Mix until well combined.

Classic Snowball Cookies Recipe - The BEST Mexican Wedding Cookies (8)

  • Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix well with a spatula until incorporated.
  • Lightly knead the mixture to make a soft dough.
  • Wrap the dough with a cling film and refrigerate for an hour or until it becomes firm.

Classic Snowball Cookies Recipe - The BEST Mexican Wedding Cookies (9)

  • Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C.
  • Line a baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
  • Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator.

Classic Snowball Cookies Recipe - The BEST Mexican Wedding Cookies (10)

  • Roll the dough into 1 inch small balls and place them on the lined baking tray.

Classic Snowball Cookies Recipe - The BEST Mexican Wedding Cookies (11)

  • Bake them immediately in the preheated oven for 12 – 15 minutes or until the edges are just starting to brown at 180 degrees C.

Classic Snowball Cookies Recipe - The BEST Mexican Wedding Cookies (12)

  • Remove from the oven and let them cool for about 3 – 5 minutes.

Classic Snowball Cookies Recipe - The BEST Mexican Wedding Cookies (13)

  • While cookies are still warm, roll them in powdered sugar.

Classic Snowball Cookies Recipe - The BEST Mexican Wedding Cookies (14)

  • Arrange them on a wire rack and let them cool completely.
  • Roll them twice in powdered sugar if needed. Store in an airtight container.

More Christmas Recipes on the blog:

  • Eggless Fruitcake Cookies
  • Eggless Cherry Almond Cake
  • Nutella Sandwich Cookies
  • Vegan Avocado Brownies
  • Chocolate Chip Crescent Cookies
  • Orange Tutti Frutti Cake
  • Wheat Oat Almond Cookies
  • Eggless Dates Cake
  • Condensed Milk Cashew Cookies
  • Goan Kulkuls

Recipe Reference: Joy of Baking

How to Make Snowball Cookies Recipe Video below:

Classic Snowball Cookies Recipe - The BEST Mexican Wedding Cookies (15)

Snowball Cookies Recipe or Russian Tea Cakes Recipe

Classic Snowball Cookies Recipe - The BEST Mexican Wedding Cookies (16)Hari Chandana Ponnaluri

Rich, buttery, delicate and tasty traditional Christmas cookies recipe

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Cookies, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine European, International

Servings 60 cookies

Calories 49 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1.5 cup All-purpose flour
  • ½ cup Corn Flour / Corn Starch
  • 1 cup Unsalted Butter at room temperature
  • ¼ cup Powdered Sugar
  • 2 tsp Vanilla Essence (or 1 tsp Vanilla Extract)
  • ¼ tsp Salt

For Topping

  • ½ cup Powdered Sugar

Instructions

  • In a bowl, whisk together the cornflour, all purpose flour and salt. Keep it aside.

  • In a mixing bowl, beat the butter and powdered sugar until creamy and smooth.

  • Add the vanilla essence and combine it well.

  • Then add the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Mix well until incorporated.

  • Lightly knead to make a soft dough. Wrap it with cling film

  • Refrigerate the dough for an hour or until it becomes firm.

  • Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C.

  • Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator.

  • Roll the dough into 1 inch small balls and place them on a greased or lined baking tray.

  • Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12 – 15 minutes or until the edges are just starting to brown at 180 degrees C.

  • Remove from the oven and cool for about 3 – 5 minutes.

  • While cookies are still warm, roll them in powdered sugar.

  • Transfer them to a wire rack and let them cool completely.

  • Roll them twice in powdered sugar if needed. Store in an airtight container.

  • If you want, sprinkle the top of the cookies with more powdered sugar before serving.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 49kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 1gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 10mgPotassium: 4mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 95IUCalcium: 1mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition values are estimates only.

Tried this recipe?Mention @iamharichandana or tag #blendwithspices!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Classic Snowball Cookies Recipe - The BEST Mexican Wedding Cookies (17)Allie says

    I rolled mine in cinnamon sugar before they baked, they were amazing!

    Reply

  2. Classic Snowball Cookies Recipe - The BEST Mexican Wedding Cookies (18)Leesa says

    1/2 cup of corn starch?? Oven 180 degrees?? Those two don’t sound right. Is that correct? I would like to make these

    Reply

    • Classic Snowball Cookies Recipe - The BEST Mexican Wedding Cookies (19)Hari Chandana Ponnaluri says

      Yeah, this is a tried and tested recipe like all my recipes on the blog. It should work. please give it a try.

      Reply

      • Classic Snowball Cookies Recipe - The BEST Mexican Wedding Cookies (20)Jill says

        Can you use lemon extract instead of vanilla?
        Thank you

        Reply

        • Classic Snowball Cookies Recipe - The BEST Mexican Wedding Cookies (21)Hari Chandana Ponnaluri says

          Absolutely! You can also add a tablespoon of lemon juice and some lemon zest for the flavor. 🙂

          Reply

    • Classic Snowball Cookies Recipe - The BEST Mexican Wedding Cookies (22)Laia says

      180 Celsius
      350 F

      Reply

    • Classic Snowball Cookies Recipe - The BEST Mexican Wedding Cookies (23)Katt says

      180 C is same as 350 F

      Reply

    • Classic Snowball Cookies Recipe - The BEST Mexican Wedding Cookies (24)Marsha says

      Classic Snowball Cookies Recipe - The BEST Mexican Wedding Cookies (25)
      180 C equals 356 F. I set my oven to 350 degrees.

      Reply

      • Classic Snowball Cookies Recipe - The BEST Mexican Wedding Cookies (26)Hari Chandana Ponnaluri says

        Thanks for your response.

        Reply

  3. Classic Snowball Cookies Recipe - The BEST Mexican Wedding Cookies (27)JoAnn says

    Can you use margarine instead of butter?

    Reply

    • Classic Snowball Cookies Recipe - The BEST Mexican Wedding Cookies (28)Hari Chandana Ponnaluri says

      Yes, you can!

      Reply

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Classic Snowball Cookies Recipe - The BEST Mexican Wedding Cookies (2024)

FAQs

Why are my Mexican wedding cookies dry? ›

Over-cooking is the most common reason for dry cookies. They can also be dry if you used too much flour. Be sure to measure your flour correctly.

What is the difference between Mexican wedding cookies and Italian wedding cookies? ›

Italian wedding cookies typically contain almonds or hazelnuts and are flavored with almond extract, vanilla extracts and spices like cinnamon or anise. Mexican wedding cookies, on the other hand, use a combination of ground nuts such as pecans and walnuts, as well as butter, sugar and sometimes chocolate chips.

Why did my Mexican wedding cookies come out flat? ›

The blogger behind Mexico In My Kitchen warns that overworking the dough will result in flat cookies, so make sure you only roll your dough as much as you need to form tiny spheres and only mix the ingredients until they're combined (don't endlessly beat it with your mixer).

What are the different names for Mexican wedding cookies? ›

Nowadays, Chef Salazar notes that Mexican wedding cookies are also called polvorones or bizcochitos and are a staple of wedding buffets and holiday parties. Similarly, Italians serve these cookies at celebratory feasts; however, they add star anise for a more pungent, aromatic dough.

What adds moisture to cookies? ›

Add Molasses or Honey Another way to add more moisture to your cookies is incorporate a tablespoon of molasses into a standard-sized cookie recipe. Don't use any more than a tablespoon, because it will make your cookies very sweet and runny. One tablespoon is just enough.

How do you keep cookies dry and crispy? ›

Keep those cookies crisp by storing them in an airtight container. Some people toss a piece of bread in with the cookies to help absorb any excess moisture. You could also re-crisp them by baking on a wire rack in a 300 degree F oven for a few minutes.

Which classic cookie ingredient do Mexican wedding cakes Lac? ›

They're always small, hand-formed, coated in powdered sugar, and containing ground nuts of some kind—often pecans, sometimes walnuts or almonds. They're my buttery, crumbly Proustian madeleine, and the only cookie I make without question year after year for Christmas.

How many cookies do you need for a wedding cookie table? ›

When you have a solid idea of your RSVP count, we suggest 6 – 8 cookies per person. In other words, if you are expecting 100 guests, 100 x 6 is 600, divided by 12 is 50 dozen cookies. More than that is fine, but make sure you save your transport containers as you may be taking some home.

What is the origin of snowball cookies? ›

The origin for pecan snowball cookies is unknown. Beloved in many parts of the world, these cookies may have traveled to the U.S. by way of immigrants from Eastern Europe or Mexico. Since the 20th century, they've become part of traditional American offerings for weddings and holidays, including Christmas and Easter.

Should I use baking soda or baking powder in cookies? ›

Baking soda is typically used for chewy cookies, while baking powder is generally used for light and airy cookies. Since baking powder is comprised of a number of ingredients (baking soda, cream of tartar, cornstarch, etc.), using it instead of pure baking soda will affect the taste of your cookies.

Why do my snowball cookies go flat? ›

Why did my snowball cookies turn out flat? Snowball cookies should not flatten. Since they do not contain a leavening agent, the main factor to check is that the dough is chilled before baking.

What does cornstarch do to cookies? ›

“The result is added tenderness with more structure.” You don't need much of the ingredient to notice significant changes in your favorite recipe. Add a teaspoon or two to your dry ingredient mix and it will drastically change the texture. It's also fun to experiment until you get the exact finish you desire.

What is a carnival cookie? ›

🎡The Carnival Cookie🎡 A massive, buttery-soft sugar cookie topped with. smooth vanilla buttercream icing and garnished. generously with rainbow sprinkles.

What are the traditional Mexican wedding foods? ›

Mexican wedding receptions typically include traditional Mexican foods like:
  • Tacos.
  • Chiles rellenos.
  • Pork carnitas.
  • Enchiladas mole.
  • Roast pig.
  • Variety of Mexican sauces.

Why are they called cowboy cookies? ›

Some claim cowboy cookies hail from Texas, a state many cowboys call home. Others say the treats were named for their ability to withstand long days in saddlebag.

How can you moisten dry cookies? ›

Another way to soften cookies is by placing the cookies in an airtight container with a damp paper towel. The paper towel will release moisture and help to soften the cookies without making them too soft or mushy. Another way is to place the cookies in a plastic bag with a slice of apple or a damp tea towel.

Why do my cookies taste too dry? ›

Too Much Flour

It doesn't take much—in this case, my mom and I added just 3/4 cup extra flour to the dough. The cookies tasted good, but were dry and definitely crumbly. To make the cookies more tender, Betty Crocker suggests adding 2 to 4 tablespoons of softened butter, or 1/4 cup of sugar, to the batter.

How do you keep cookies from drying out? ›

“If you store cookies in the fridge, they will dry out,” Amanda says. The dry, cold air sucks the moisture right out of them. Instead, keep your cookies at room temperature, or freeze them for later.

Why are my cookies dry and hard? ›

the more you mix cookie dough. the more the gluten develops and they become hard and dry and an unfavorable texture. reason no 3 you're over baking them. make sure you take them out when they're just slightly golden brown.

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