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 did my Mexican wedding cookies flatten? ›

If the cookie dough is too warm, the cookies may spread out and flatten during baking. Be sure to chill the dough for at least two hours before forming them into balls and baking. Also, never use melted butter in this recipe.

Why do my snowball cookies go flat? ›

Why do my snowball cookies go flat? These snowball cookies should not flatten. If they do it's likely the dough wasn't chilled long enough and the ingredients were too warm to begin with so they spread. It's also possible you accidentally measured the ingredients incorrectly!

What do Mexican wedding cookies taste like? ›

These Mexican wedding cookies are tender, delicate, and full of rich, buttery pecan flavor. Dusted in powdered sugar, they're a perfect holiday treat. Mexican wedding cookies are one of my favorite holiday treats. They have a rich, nutty flavor and a texture so delicate that they practically melt in your mouth.

Why do they call them Mexican wedding cookies? ›

History of Mexican Wedding Cookies

As Spanish colonizers brought these recipes to Mexico, they seamlessly integrated into the local culinary landscape. The cookie's association with weddings stems from its sweet symbolism of happiness, unity, and the joyful occasions surrounding matrimony.

Why is my snowball cookie dough crumbly? ›

Not enough liquid

There are a few things you can do if your cookie dough is too dry and crumbly. First, try adding more liquid to the dough. This could be milk, water, or even just additional eggs. If that doesn't work, you could also try melting some butter and adding it to the dough.

What ingredient makes cookies flatten? ›

Using too much butter in your dough can lead to flat and greasy cookies. As previously noted, baking is a science, and it is essential to closely follow recipe measurements to ensure the best results.

What is the history 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.

Does too much sugar make cookies flat? ›

If your recipe calls for 1 cup of sugar, for example, and you add a slightly heaping cup instead of leveling off the cup precisely, you'll end up with too much. Sugar sucks up liquid, and when those cookies bake, it'll release the liquid and cause the cookies to spread out.

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

However, if your cookies are too crumbly, it may be because the butter was too cold. It's important to bring the butter to room temperature before adding it to this recipe. If it's too cold, it won't be able to bind the sugar, flour and nuts correctly, resulting in a cookie dough that is too crumbly.

What do you eat at a Mexican wedding? ›

Mexican wedding receptions typically serve traditional Mexican foods like tacos, enchiladas, and Mexican wedding cookies.

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.

Why are they called cowboy cookies? ›

The origins of "cowboy cookies" are unknown although they have been variously attributed to Texas or the Old West. The story that describes them in originating in the Old West claims that they were eaten by cowboys as a high energy snack that could be easily carried.

What is the dowry at a Mexican wedding? ›

Las Arras – The Thirteen Gold Coins

The term “arras” means “earnest money” and represents the bride's dowry price. By giving the gift, the groom promises to provide for his family and by accepting it, the bride shows that she trusts him to do so.

Why did my cookies come out completely flat? ›

The Problem: Your Oven Is Too Hot

If your cookies repeatedly turn out flat, no matter the recipe, chances are your oven is too hot.

Why do my cookies lose their shape? ›

If your butter is under mixed, it won't have the air pockets to hold it's shape. If it's over-mixed, the air pockets decrease in size and are unable to hold their shape in the oven—causing your cookies to spread. It's best to cream butter and sugar on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes.

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