Mexican Wedding Cookies simplicity makes them accessible to everyone - right out of their own oven. Fresh, lightly crunchy and ready to pop in your mouth.
I have loved these type of cookies since I was a little girl. It was later that I learned that they are called Mexican Wedding Cookies.
My mother brought them home from the grocery store and they were in a long pink box.
Mom also started making them for us. It wasn't often but they sure were good.
When I started grocery shopping for myself I again looked for that long narrow pink box. For a while, I was able to find them but now I haven't seen them for years. Luckily I already knew what they were.
In my first days of moving out of the house, the only things I knew how to make were Enchiladas and French Toast. I sure didn't know how to bake special cookies like these.
Thank goodness mom had her recipe. I can't find that pink box anymore and I wish I could. If only, for nostalgic reasons. Oh yeah, Van de Kamps chocolate chip cookies were the best too but that's another story.
Now you can enjoy these world-famous cookies as a vegan. Just use dairy free butter and organic powdered sugar.
Now many years after that - I have learned that there are versions of the same cookies from Russia, India, Germany, Denmark, Croatia and I am sure many many more countries. You see? It is a really good cookie!
I hope you get to try this recipe because it really is rewarding and is delicious enough to be named after a very special day.
Table of Contents
Cookie history
- Mexican wedding cookies are also called biscochitos. The texture on the inside is just like shortbread.
- Cookies like these also come from many nationalities from all over the world.
- Some of the names are Russian Tea Cakes, Danish Cookies, Polvorones, Italian Butter Nut, Viennese Sugar Balls, and so many many more.
- They do need to bake a little longer than most cookies but are really simple to make.
- Some versions are made with other nuts but almond is classic and definitely the ones used in Mexico.
- As you can guess, Spaniards brought the traditional cookie recipe from Europe.
Don't forget to add these to your Christmas cookie list too.
Ingredients
- Dairy-free butter - makes the taste of the cookie so buttery good.
- Organic powdered sugar - goes on the inside and outside of the cookie. Wow!
- Vanilla extract - is a little bit of extra flavoring.
- Almond extract - more flavoring for the almond background.
- Whole wheat pastry flour - adds some nutrients. You can use whole wheat flour.
- Almonds - are gound and add so much to the cookies.
- Salt - is that little bit of contrasting seasoning that you really can't taste but it's there.
Can they be frozen
- Yes, they can.
- If serving later you may need to re-roll in powdered sugar right before serving. But maybe not. It depends on the heat in your house.
- You will definitely need to re-roll after freezing.
- Nothing wrong with that. Ha!
📋 Recipe
Mexican Wedding Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup dairy-free butter, softened
- ½ cup organic powdered sugar, for inside the cookies
- 1 ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 ¾ cup whole wheat pastry flour
- 1 cup ground almonds, raw
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅔ cup organic powdered sugar, for coating at the end
Instructions
- Cream the vegan butter and the ½ cup of organic powdered sugar with a hand mixer.
- It takes a little while to get it light and fluffy and I do this at medium speed. Stir in both of the extracts.
- Mix in the flour and ground almonds, salt and stir until smooth.
- Chill for one hour.
- Form into 1"balls - I use a small cookie scoop. Place on a baking sheet.
- Bake at 300° for 35 minutes.
- Transfer to a rack to cool for about 10 minutes.
- Roll cookies in powdered sugar. Let cool completely.
- Serve or refrigerate or freeze.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef
These look wonderful. Now if you can tell me how I can eat these without sugar landing on my "shelf" I'd be happy. 🙂
Ginny McMeans
Ha, Maureen! It is like - pick one up gingerly with two fingers only. Put the whole thing in your mouth at once and don't look down.
Helene Dsouza I Masala Herb
oh wow they look amazing. They kind of remind me of the goan Christmas cookies here. mhm and they are with almonds, yum!
Ginny McMeans
Thanks Helene! I will have to check out the goan Christmas cookies.
heidi
Mmmm, These look so tasty! I love these cookies. They are one of my favorites.
Annie @ Annie's Noms
Ooooh yum! I could totally eat about 5 of these without blinking!!
Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens
Mexican Wedding Cookies have always been a favorite of mine, but they're always such a guilty indulgence. I love that these are healthier, and also something I could share with my vegan friends! A win all around! Thank you so much for this wonderful recipe! 😀
Ginny McMeans
Yes, Shelley you can't really have them too often but they sure are good. 🙂 You are very welcome!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet
Love these cookies and your photos are gorgeous!
Cynthia/What A Girl Eats
Such a great classic cookie! Everyone's favorite!
fabiola@notjustbaked
I could eat these very day of my life, love Mexican wedding cookies!
Susan
Love these little cookies, so easy to enjoy an entire bunch of them!
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence
Mmmm, these are a favorite of mine.
Carol Borchardt
Great recipe and great website! I bookmarked it to find vegan freezer-friendly meals for my personal chef clients.
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes
These are seriously my favorite cookie ever!! I love it!
Ginny McMeans
You and me both Ashley! Thanks so much 🙂
brenda@sugarfreemom
They look just perfect, just like traditional ones made with butter! Great job!
Ginny McMeans
Thanks Brenda! Non-dairy butter has come a loonnngg way and I have no problem baking with it. Happily! 🙂
Stephanie
This is one of my favorite cookie! I usually just make them at Christmas time though...I don't know why!
Martha @ A Family Feast
These are one of my favorite cookies - and so great to have a vegan version!
heather | girlichef
That's definitely an indicator that something is good! I love these, too - always have. Aaaaaand, now I'm craving them. 😉
Angie | Big Bear's Wife
I've never made these at home and I've loved them forever! Can't wait to give them a try now!
Melissa from Hungry Food Love
I love, love these cookies. It's funny how they are called many names. In my country they are called Polvorones and they are indeed most always served at weddings.
Cookin Canuck
Mexican wedding cookies have always been a favorite here, and I love the changes you made to make these healthier.
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet
These types of cookies bring back memories. Our family used to make them all of the time! I need to introduce my kids to them now!
Colleen (Souffle Bombay)
These were the first grown up cookie I made as a teen. I can vividly remember crushing the pecans and how proud I was. Too bad my kids are both allergic to nuts...I haven't made these in over a decade. Thanks for the great memory flash back...now slide me a cookie!
Ginny McMeans
Oh good Angie! I hope you get to soon 🙂
Sarah Walker Caron (Sarah's Cucina Bella)
I've loved these since I was a little girl too -- but I only recently learned that they were called Mexican Wedding Cookies. I especially love the ones made with pecans. But these sound delightful too.
Ginny McMeans
That is so cool Nancy! Yes! Your kids will love them. ❤
Ginny McMeans
That is pretty cool, Colleen, to have these as your young teen experience with cookie baking. Gosh darn those allergies!
Ginny McMeans
Yes, pecans are great! I think that might be the tradition in many countries.
Ginny McMeans
That could be a good thing Heather! 🙂
Ginny McMeans
Isn't that great! Thanks so much Erin!
Ginny McMeans
That is very interesting information Melissa! Thanks so much 🙂
Ginny McMeans
Ah, thanks! I am glad you like them too 🙂
Mia
Gracias para esta receta, los galletas earn nut delecioso , no tuve problemas
Ginny McMeans
Eso es maravilloso Mia. Grasias!
Crystal Lopez-Richburg
Should this cookie dough be pretty soft before baked I made dough to bake tomorrow and it's really soft... the vegan version has disappointed me in the past (melted) and I'm nervous these are my favorite cookies...
Ginny McMeans
If you made the recipe exactly as it is written it should be able to be scooped with a cookie scoop and hold it's shape without sticking. Putting it in the oven straight from the refrigerator will also help hold it's shape. I had no problem with it baking and looking just like it is in the photos.
Christy Boston
I love how these turned out! I never did get around to putting the powdered sugar on the outside, but they are pretty delicious without it.
Juli
I use this recipe every year and it's always the cookie that kicks off my holiday baking! I love this cookie and everyone who tries them loves them too!
Ginny McMeans
That is great Juli! I really think during the holidays they can be called Snowball Cookies. 🙂 Thanks so much for your kind words.
Renee
What type of almonds are used? Raw?
Ginny McMeans
Yes, Renee. Raw almonds. I'll update the recipe card and thanks for the heads up.
Alie
Came across this recipe because I had to use up my various ground nuts from holiday baking, was running low on AP flour but had an abundance of whole wheat flour, and didn't want to use eggs. These cookies were so simple to make and came out amazing! A great recipe to add to my collection.