Last Updated: by Angela G.
These cookies are very easy to make and they melt in your mouth! You can make them with large or small chunks of pecans. I prefer finely chopped pecans for a more smooth texture.
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This cookie recipe for for Mexican wedding cakes actually comes to you courtesy of my 9th grade Spanish teacher! We learned how to make them as part of a lesson and I have been making these delicious cookies for many years since. Thanks, Señora Schaffer wherever you are now!
A Deliciously Easy Cookie
These cookies are very easy to make and they melt in your mouth! You can make them with large or small chunks of pecans. I prefer finely chopped pecans for a more smooth texture.
There are so many other names for Mexican wedding cakes!
For some reason these cookies go by a number of different names. I've heard people call them: Pecan Sandies, Butterballs, Snowball cookies, Polvorones, Russian Tea Cakes, Swedish Tea Cakes, Moldy Mice (kinda weird ha ha). How can one cookie have so many different names?!
I admit though. I even call them by different names. I'm making these around the holiday, I like to call them snow ball cookies. Any other time of the year, I usually call them Mexican wedding cakes. Too funny.
Curious about why are they called Mexican wedding cakes? Read about the history and the significance of these Mexican wedding cakes.
Can Mexican wedding cake be frozen?
Yep! So, if you want to make a double or triple batch, go for it! You can freeze extras and just let them thaw before serving.
Making these Mexican wedding cookies as a part of your holiday baking?
These cookies, I think since they look like snowballs and they are so well-liked, are a Christmas cookie favorite. If you're doing a lot of holiday baking this year, be sure to check out my other cookie recipes and also my holiday yule log recipe!
Making these Mexican wedding cake cookies for a shower?
You might also like my pink sherbet punch recipe.
These cookies would also be super cute for a Frozen themed birthday party!
Helpful tools for making this recipe
- Cookie scoop - for perfect portioning of your dough
- Baking sheets
- Large mixing bowls
- Food processor or cooking mallet for finely chopping pecans
- Hand mixer - get a good one! I love my KitchenAid hand mixer and they're very affordable and come in fun colors.
This recipe for Mexican wedding cakes was featured on South Your Mouth!
Mexican Wedding Cakes
Author: Angela G.
These cookies are very easy to make and they melt in your mouth! You can make them with large or small chunks of pecans. I prefer finely chopped pecans for a more smooth texture.
5 from 4 reviews
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Mexican
Skill Level: Easy
Recipe Type: Christmas, Cookies, Holiday Baking, Kid-Friendly, Party, Pastries
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
Servings: 24 Servings
Yield: 24 cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter room temp
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar divided
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup pecans finely chopped
Shop ingredients at Walmart.comAdd ingredients, then choose Pick Up or Delivery.
Instructions
Beat together softened butter, salt, ½ cup powdered sugar (reserving the rest for later) and vanilla. Slowly add flour, then pecans.
Form cookie dough into 1” balls; arrange on cookie sheet covered in parchment paper or a silicon baking sheet.
Bake in preheated oven on 350°F for 14-16 minutes or until the edges start to turn light golden brown.
Cool for a few minutes, then dredge cookies in remaining powded sugar; let cool, then dredge once again.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 164kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 116mg | Potassium: 31mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 239IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg
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Reader Interactions
Comments
CF saysI've made these for decades. I'm NOT telling how many. The recipe calls for shaping these into round balls and then baking. However, the photo shows them slightly pressed down on the top. Do they spread out during baking? Also, how can I minimize the powdered sugar falling off when handling and eating? It's very messy but well worth the inconvenience.
Reply
- Angela G. says
They do spread out during baking. They start out as round dough balls. It's best to dredge them in powdered sugar when they are still warm (yet slightly cooled, not too hot to handle). I dredge once, then a second time as the first coating tends to absorb.
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- Maria says
Cannot wait to make & bake this recipe. Thank you for sharing.
Reply
- Angela G. says
You're so welcome, Maria!
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- Zenita Allen says
I plan to bake these beautiful Mexican Wedding Cakes in a few days. But I have one question. What kind of flour should I use, All Purpose or Self Rising?
Thank you so much for sharing!Reply
- Angela G. says
Hi Zenita, you'll want to use All Purpose. Enjoy!
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- patricia s potter says
These were a standard in our house at Christmas growing up, mom called them Russian Teacakes. Delicious no matter what you call them and one I always make for my family.....
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- Angela G. says
It’s funny to me these go by so many different names! Thanks for sharing.
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- Shawna Santella says
@patricia s potter, I have known these as Russian Teacakes!
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- Joan E castles says
My favorite Christmas cookies!!!!Reply
- anna says
I too have been making this exact recipe for many years (more than I care to count) and they were
called Pecan snow balls when I first started making them. They are a wonderful delight, I place
them in tiny paper cups to give as gifts at Christmas time and they are always well recieved.
Reply
- anna says
Want to add that I appreciate these emails more than all others I receive from cooking sites.
Reply
- Angela G. says
So glad to hear! My goal is to keep things simple and to the point and not waste anyone's time. Thanks for the feedback. 🙂
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- Angela G. says
Hi Anna,
I've heard these called so many different things, it's funny. What a great idea to put them in cute cups to hand out for Christmas! I've been including these in our holiday cookie baking line up for a number of years now. They are always a hit.Reply
