Crafting Wedding Cake Cookies: A Homemade Delight

Wedding cake cookies are a fun and tasty alternative to a traditional wedding cake. They are perfect for small celebrations like weddings, vow renewals, or parties. There are many ways to make wedding cake cookies, but they are usually made with a combination of butter, sugar, flour, and vanilla. The dough is then shaped into balls or crescents and baked until lightly browned. The cookies can be decorated with royal icing, fondant, or cookie glaze. They can also be rolled in powdered sugar for a extra touch of sweetness.

Choosing your cookie type

Wedding cake cookies can be made with a variety of cookie types, and the best choice depends on your personal preference. Here are some options to consider:

Italian Wedding Cookies

These cookies are sometimes called Mexican wedding cookies or butterballs and can be shaped into balls or crescents. They are made with a combination of butter, confectioners' sugar, salt, almonds, vanilla, and flour. The dough is shaped into balls or crescents, baked, and then rolled in confectioners' sugar while still warm. Italian wedding cookies have a melt-in-your-mouth texture and are a classic choice for wedding celebrations.

Mexican Wedding Cookies

Also known as Mexican wedding cakes, Russian tea cakes, or polvorones, these cookies are a nutty and buttery delight. They are usually shaped into crescents and are often made with pecans, but other nuts such as almonds or walnuts can be used. The dough is made by creaming together butter and confectioners' sugar, then adding vanilla and gradually mixing in the flour. The cookies are baked until lightly browned and then rolled in confectioners' sugar while still warm, creating a delicious sugary coating.

Wedding Cake Cookies

This type of wedding cake cookie is more similar to a traditional cake in terms of decoration. They are made with a combination of flour, baking powder, butter, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. The dough is rolled out and cut into various shapes using cookie cutters. After baking, they are decorated with royal icing, fondant, or cookie glaze, allowing for creativity and customization.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

If you're looking for a non-traditional option, chocolate chip cookies can be a great choice for a wedding cookie cake. You can bake them in different-sized tiers, such as 6-inch, 5-inch, and 4-inch rounds, and stack them to create a unique presentation. Frosting and sprinkles can be added for a festive touch, and a cake topper can be used to personalize the cookie cake.

Peanut Butter Cookies

Another option for a non-traditional wedding cookie cake is to use peanut butter cookies as the base. You can follow a similar approach as with the chocolate chip cookies, creating different-sized tiers and stacking them. Vanilla buttercream frosting and sprinkles can be used for decoration, and a cake topper can add a special touch.

Selecting the right ingredients

Butter:

Start with a good-quality butter, preferably unsalted, as it will give you more control over the overall flavour profile. The butter should be softened at room temperature to ensure it blends smoothly with the other ingredients.

Sugar:

Confectioners' sugar, also known as powdered sugar, is the preferred choice for wedding cake cookies. It melts seamlessly into the dough, creating a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Additionally, rolling the warm cookies in confectioners' sugar adds a delightful coating of sweetness.

Salt:

While it may seem insignificant, salt plays a vital role in enhancing the flavours of your cookies. It brings out the sweetness of other ingredients without making your cookies taste salty.

Nuts:

Nuts add a delightful crunch and depth of flavour to your cookies. Almonds are a traditional choice for Italian wedding cookies, but you can also use pecans or hazelnuts. Toasting the nuts before mixing them into the dough boosts their flavour and gives your cookies a richer, nuttier aroma.

Vanilla:

Vanilla extract is a must-have ingredient for wedding cake cookies. It provides a subtle yet essential flavour that complements the other ingredients beautifully. Don't skimp on quality here, as it will make a difference in the overall taste.

Flour:

All-purpose flour is the go-to choice for wedding cake cookies. It provides the necessary structure and helps hold the cookie dough together. Be careful not to over-measure the flour, as it can lead to dry and crumbly cookies.

Eggs:

In some recipes, such as the Wedding Cake Cookies by Mari Artinian, eggs are included as a binding agent. They help to provide structure and moisture to the cookies.

Decorations:

Decorating your wedding cake cookies is where you can get creative. You can use royal icing, fondant, or cookie glaze to decorate your cookies. Fondant is excellent for creating a smooth finish, while royal icing can be piped into intricate designs. If you prefer a simpler approach, a cookie glaze will give your cookies a beautiful shine.

Remember, the key to successful baking is using high-quality ingredients and following the recipe measurements precisely. Happy baking!

Preparing the dough

To make wedding cake cookies, you'll need a few simple ingredients: flour, butter, sugar, and flavourings. The exact quantities and ingredients will depend on the type of cookie you want to make. For example, Italian wedding cookies typically include ground almonds, while Mexican wedding cookies often feature pecans or walnuts.

To prepare the dough, start by combining the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the butter and sugar until they are light and fluffy. This process is known as "creaming" and helps to give the cookies a light and tender texture.

Once the butter and sugar are creamed, it's time to add the flavourings. For Italian wedding cookies, you would mix in the ground almonds and vanilla extract. If you were making Mexican wedding cookies, you would add the vanilla extract here.

Next, it's time to add the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and any additional dry ingredients, such as salt or baking powder. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring as you go. Continue mixing until a ball of dough forms.

At this point, the dough may seem too soft. If this is the case, place it in the refrigerator to chill until it firms up. Chilling the dough will also make it easier to handle when it comes time to shape the cookies.

If you want to add nuts to your cookies, such as pecans or walnuts, it's best to toast them before mixing them into the dough. Toasting the nuts will enhance their flavour and give your cookies a deeper, richer taste.

Shaping the cookies

First, you will need to decide on the shape of your cookies. Wedding cake cookies can be cut into a variety of shapes using cookie cutters. Common shapes include hearts, bells, and wedding rings. If you want to be more creative, you can even cut the cookies into the shape of a tiered wedding cake. Alternatively, you can shape the dough into balls or crescents using your hands or a melon baller. This method works well for Italian and Mexican wedding cookies, which are designed to be more free-form.

Once you have decided on the shape, it's time to cut out the cookies. If you are using cookie cutters, lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin to prevent the dough from sticking. Roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Then, dip your cookie cutter into some flour and start cutting out shapes, placing them on a parchment-lined cookie sheet as you go. If you are shaping the dough by hand, use about 1 teaspoon of dough for each cookie and place them about 1 inch apart on your ungreased or parchment-lined cookie sheets.

If you want to get really creative, you can even make a tiered wedding cookie cake. To do this, you will need three different-sized round cake pans (for example, 6-inch, 5-inch, and 4-inch). Line the pans with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Divide the cookie dough evenly among the pans and press it flat. Bake the cookie cakes, rotating the pans halfway through, until they are golden on top and cooked through. Once they are baked and cooled, you can stack them on top of each other to create a tiered cake effect.

Now that your cookies are shaped and ready to bake, it's time to move on to the next step of the process.

Decorating the cookies

Once your wedding cookies are baked, it's time to decorate! Here are some ideas and tips to get you started:

Icing, Fondant, and Glaze

Royal icing, fondant, or cookie glaze are all great options for decorating wedding cookies. These can be used to create intricate designs, patterns, or even paint directly onto the cookies. You can also use different tips and nozzles to create different patterns and shapes when piping icing onto your cookies. If you're feeling creative, you can even mix and match different types of icing and decorations to create a unique and personalised look.

Sugar Coating

Coating your cookies in powdered sugar or confectioners' sugar is a classic way to decorate wedding cookies. You can roll the cookies in the sugar while they are still warm, and then again once they have cooled for an extra sweet and delicate finish. This method is especially popular for Mexican wedding cookies, which are known for their crumbly, buttery texture.

Sprinkles

Sprinkles are a fun and easy way to add some colour and sparkle to your wedding cookies. You can use traditional sprinkles, pearl sprinkles, or even edible glitter. Sprinkles can be added on top of icing or directly onto the cookie dough before baking.

Cookie Shapes

Using different cookie cutters to create various shapes is a simple way to add interest and variety to your wedding cookies. You can use traditional shapes like circles and hearts, or get creative with more unique shapes that reflect your wedding theme.

Cake Toppers

If you're creating a cookie cake, a cake topper can be a great way to add a personal touch. You can find cake toppers in a variety of styles and designs, or even customise your own.

Fresh Flowers and Edible Decorations

Fresh flowers, edible flowers, and other natural decorations can add a touch of elegance to your wedding cookies. Just be sure to use only edible and non-toxic flowers and plants, and wash them thoroughly before placing them on your cookies.

Frequently asked questions