Mexican Wedding Cakes: Nut-Free Alternatives For Traditional Treats

Mexican Wedding Cakes, also known as Mexican Wedding Cookies, Snowball Cookies, Russian Tea Cakes, and Kourabiedes, are a popular treat during Christmas time. The traditional recipe includes chopped walnuts or pecans, but they can be made without nuts to accommodate nut allergies. This cookie is buttery, crumbly, and melts in your mouth. They are also very easy to make and only require a few simple pantry ingredients like butter, flour, and sugar.

How to make the dough for Mexican wedding cakes without nuts

To make the dough for Mexican wedding cakes without nuts, you'll need the following ingredients:

• Butter (unsalted or regular) at room temperature
• Powdered sugar, plus extra for dusting/coating
• Vanilla extract
• Flour (all-purpose, unbleached, or gluten-free)
• Salt (optional, but recommended)
• Cornflour or cornstarch (optional)

Some recipes also add ground cardamom or another extract like rum, almond, or cake batter extract.

• Preheat your oven to between 350°F and 400°F. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
• Cream the butter, gradually adding in the sugar. You can do this in a stand mixer or with a hand blender/whisk.
• Blend in the vanilla extract and any other spices/extracts you're using.
• Add the flour and salt to the butter mixture and mix well. If the dough is too soft, chill it in the refrigerator until firm.
• Shape the dough into small balls, about 1-inch in diameter, and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet or one lined with a baking mat, leaving about 1 inch of space between each ball.
• Bake for around 10-15 minutes, or until the cookies are set and/or golden brown. Do not overbake.
• While the cookies are still hot, roll them in powdered sugar. Let them cool on a wire rack, and then roll them in the sugar again once they're completely cooled.

Your Mexican wedding cakes are now ready to serve! Enjoy their buttery, sugary deliciousness!

Shaping the dough into balls

Firstly, ensure your dough has been adequately chilled. Depending on the specific recipe, this could be for as little as 10 minutes or up to an hour. Chilling the dough will make it easier to handle and help the balls hold their shape.

Next, take the dough and roll it into small balls. The size of the balls may vary slightly depending on the recipe and your personal preference, but they should generally be around 1 inch in diameter, or walnut-sized. Gently press and pack the dough as you shape it to ensure the balls hold together. Place the dough balls onto a baking sheet or tray, spaced about 1 inch apart.

At this point, some recipes suggest freezing the dough balls for a short time, around 10 minutes, before baking. This extra step can help create an extra soft and crumbly texture.

Once the dough balls are shaped and chilled, they are ready to be baked in the oven. Follow your chosen recipe for baking instructions, being mindful not to overbake the cookies as this can affect their texture and appearance.

By carefully shaping and handling the dough, you can create perfectly formed balls that will become delicious Mexican Wedding Cakes, ready to be enjoyed by you and your guests!

Oven temperature and baking time

The baking time also varies, but generally, these cookies should bake for around 10 to 15 minutes. It's important to keep an eye on them to ensure they don't over-brown or burn. One recipe recommends baking for about 12 minutes or until golden brown, while another suggests 10-12 minutes for lightly golden cookies. A third recipe advises baking for about 10 minutes and then checking if the cookies are set, ensuring they don't brown.

The size of the cookies also affects the baking time. Smaller, teaspoon-sized cookies may only need 10 minutes, while larger ones could take up to 15 minutes. Additionally, oven types and altitudes can impact baking time. For instance, an oven with convection settings may require a lower temperature or shorter baking time to prevent overbrowning. High altitudes may also affect baking time, as one baker at high altitude had to reduce the oven temperature to prevent overbrowning.

Therefore, it's essential to monitor the cookies closely during baking, regardless of the recipe followed, to ensure they don't overcook or burn.

How to decorate Mexican wedding cakes without nuts

Mexican wedding cakes, also known as snowball cookies, are a delightful confection to serve at any celebration. And the best part? They can be made nut-free without sacrificing taste or texture! Here are some ideas on how to decorate these treats:

Roll Them in Powdered Sugar:

The classic way to decorate Mexican wedding cakes is to roll the warm cookies in powdered sugar. This gives them a beautiful, snowy appearance. You can also sprinkle extra powdered sugar on top before serving to make them extra pretty and ensure they are well-coated.

Get Creative with Coatings:

While powdered sugar is traditional, you can experiment with other coatings. Why not dip or drizzle the baked cookies in chocolate? This will give them a more elegant appearance, though they won't look like snowballs anymore. You could also try rolling them in crushed peppermint candies or other coloured sugar for a festive touch.

Add Some Colour:

For a colourful twist, you can decorate your Mexican wedding cakes with rose petal dust. Simply grind dried rose petals in a spice grinder and lightly press the dust onto the tops of the cookies while they are still warm. This will give them a delicate, romantic appearance.

Experiment with Extracts:

While vanilla extract is commonly used in Mexican wedding cakes, you can experiment with different extracts to add unique flavours and aromas. Try using rum, almond, or cake batter extract instead of vanilla. These options will give your cakes a more complex and unexpected taste.

Include Mix-Ins:

If you want to add some texture and flavour to your Mexican wedding cakes, try including mix-ins. Reduce the amount of flour in the recipe and stir in finely chopped pecans, mini chocolate chips, toffee bits, or sprinkles. Just be mindful of any nut allergies when choosing this option!

Remember, Mexican wedding cakes are a versatile treat that can be decorated in a variety of ways. Have fun with the process and don't be afraid to get creative!

How to store and serve Mexican wedding cakes without nuts

Mexican wedding cakes without nuts are cookies that can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They will keep well for at least a week. If you want to freeze them, place the cookies in a zip-top freezer bag and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. When defrosting, remove the cookies from the bag and place them on a wire rack to prevent the powdered sugar from dissolving.

To serve, follow the recipe instructions and roll the cookies in powdered sugar while they are still hot. After they have cooled, sprinkle the tops with additional powdered sugar for a pretty presentation. These Mexican wedding cakes without nuts are perfect for a bake sale, wedding, or Christmas celebration.

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