Crafting Wedding Ball Cookies: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding ball cookies, also known as Mexican wedding cookies, Italian wedding cookies, Russian tea cakes, Mexican wedding cakes, polvorones, snowballs, Egyptian feast cookies, nut butter balls, Norwegian snowballs, Kourambie, walnut delights, pecan petites, holiday nuggets, and Swedish heirloom cookies, are tiny, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies. They are easy to make and even easier to eat.

The recipe typically includes flour, butter, finely chopped nuts, confectioner's sugar, and vanilla extract. Cinnamon, almond extract, and sea salt can be added for extra flavour. The dough is formed into balls and baked until lightly browned. The cookies are then rolled in confectioner's sugar, creating a sweet, delicate treat that is perfect for weddings, holidays, or any time you're craving something sweet.

How to make the dough

To make the dough for wedding ball cookies, you'll need a few simple ingredients: butter, sugar, flour, and, optionally, nuts and vanilla extract.

Start by creaming together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This forms the base of your dough and ensures a light, melt-in-your-mouth texture in the finished cookies. You can use a stand mixer, hand mixer, or beat by hand until combined. Next, mix in the vanilla extract, if using.

Now it's time to add the dry ingredients. Gradually mix in the flour until a dough starts to form. If you're including nuts in your cookies, this is the time to mix them in as well. You can use a variety of nuts, such as pecans, walnuts, or almonds, and toasting them beforehand will enhance their flavour. Continue mixing until all the ingredients are well combined and a soft dough forms.

Depending on the consistency of your dough, you might need to chill it in the refrigerator for about an hour to firm it up before the next step. This will make it easier to shape the dough into balls.

Once your dough is ready, it's time to form it into balls. Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion out the dough, then roll each portion into a smooth ball between your palms. If the dough is sticky, lightly flour your hands to make the process easier. Place the dough balls on a baking sheet, leaving a little space between them to allow for spreading during baking.

And that's it! Your wedding ball cookie dough is now ready to be baked.

Rolling the dough into balls

Firstly, ensure your hands are clean and dry. You may also want to lightly flour your hands to prevent the dough from sticking. Next, scoop out the desired amount of dough with a spoon or cookie scoop. The amount of dough will depend on the size of cookies you want. For smaller cookies, use a teaspoon, and for larger cookies, use a tablespoon.

Once you have the dough in your hand, gently roll it between your palms in a circular motion. Apply gentle but firm pressure to shape the dough into a smooth, round ball. It is important to be gentle and not squeeze too hard, as you don't want to flatten the dough or handle it too much, which can affect the texture of your cookies.

If the dough is sticky and challenging to work with, chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to an hour before rolling it into balls. This will help firm up the dough and make it easier to handle.

Place the shaped dough balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between them to allow for spreading during baking. If you want to decorate your cookies with powdered sugar before baking, as is traditional for wedding cookies, roll the dough balls in a bowl of powdered sugar until evenly coated before placing them on the baking sheet.

Repeat this process until you have used up all your dough, and then proceed to bake your cookies according to your chosen recipe's instructions.

Baking the cookies

Now that you have your dough ready, it's time to bake your wedding ball cookies!

First, preheat your oven to 325-400°F (depending on your recipe). While the oven is heating up, you can prepare your baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. If you don't have either of those, you can simply use ungreased baking sheets.

Next, form the dough into balls. The size of the balls will vary depending on your preferred size for the cookies. For smaller cookies, use about 1 teaspoon of dough for each ball, and space them about 1 inch apart on the baking sheets. For larger cookies, use a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop or form the dough into 1-inch balls, and place them about 1 1/2 inches apart. If your dough is too sticky to work with, chill it in the fridge for about 30 minutes to firm up before rolling.

Once your oven is preheated and your balls are formed, it's time to bake! Bake the cookies for 10-20 minutes, depending on their size, until they are just barely browned or golden. Keep an eye on them, as they can burn quickly.

When the cookies are done, let them cool on the baking sheets for a couple of minutes. Then, it's time to roll them in powdered sugar! Place some powdered sugar in a bowl and gently roll each warm cookie in the sugar until evenly coated. You can also place the cookies a few at a time in a plastic bag with powdered sugar and shake to coat. This method may be a bit messier, but it's faster and can be fun for kids to help with.

After coating the cookies in sugar, let them cool completely on wire racks. Once they're cool, you can enjoy your delicious, buttery wedding ball cookies!

Coating the cookies in sugar

Preparing the Sugar:

Before you begin coating the cookies, it is essential to have your powdered sugar ready. You will need a generous amount of powdered sugar, also known as confectioner's sugar, for this step. Place about a cup of powdered sugar in a shallow bowl or dish. You can also use a plastic storage bag if you prefer, as some bakers find it easier to coat the cookies evenly this way.

Rolling the Cookies:

Once the cookies are baked and slightly cooled, it's time to roll them in the sugar. If you are using a bowl, take a few cookies at a time and gently roll them in the sugar, ensuring each cookie is evenly coated. If using a plastic bag, place two or three cookies inside, seal the bag, and gently shake or turn the bag to coat the cookies. You can also use your hands to gently toss and coat the cookies in the sugar.

Cooling and Second Coating:

After the first coating, place the cookies on a wire rack to cool completely. This step is important, as it allows the first layer of sugar to set. Once the cookies are cooled, you have the option to roll them in the sugar a second time. This step is optional but recommended, as it gives the cookies an extra sweet and delicate exterior.

Storing the Cookies:

After the final coating, store the cookies in an airtight container. They will stay fresh at room temperature for about a week. If you wish to freeze the cookies, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen cookies can be thawed at room temperature or enjoyed straight from the freezer for a more extended treat.

Storing the cookies

Once your wedding ball cookies are baked and cooled, it's important to store them properly to maintain their freshness and flavour. Here are some tips for storing these delicate treats:

Container:

• Store the cookies in an airtight container. This will help keep them fresh and prevent them from drying out.
• Use a container that is large enough to hold all the cookies without crowding them. You may need more than one container, depending on the number of cookies you have made.
• If you plan to stack the cookies, place a piece of parchment paper or wax paper between each layer to prevent them from sticking together.

Temperature and location:

• Store the cookies at room temperature. They are meant to be enjoyed as a soft, buttery treat, so avoid storing them in the refrigerator as this can make them hard and dry.
• Choose a cool, dry place in your kitchen, such as a pantry or cupboard, away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
• Avoid placing the container near the stove, oven, or other appliances that generate heat, as this can affect the texture and quality of the cookies.

Shelf life:

• Freshly baked wedding ball cookies can be enjoyed for up to a week when stored properly. After a week, they may start to dry out or lose their delicate texture.
• If you want to enjoy the cookies beyond a week, consider freezing them. Place them in a freezer-safe container or bag and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• When you're ready to enjoy a frozen cookie, simply remove it from the freezer and let it thaw at room temperature. You can also place it in the refrigerator overnight to thaw slowly.

Re-rolling in powdered sugar:

• Wedding ball cookies are often coated in powdered sugar before serving. If you plan to store them for a few days, you may want to re-roll them in powdered sugar before serving to refresh their appearance and flavour.
• Place some powdered sugar in a shallow bowl and gently roll each cookie in the sugar until evenly coated. This will give them a fresh, snowy appearance.

With proper storage, your wedding ball cookies will stay fresh and delicious, making them a delightful treat to share with family and friends or to enjoy as a sweet indulgence throughout the week.

Frequently asked questions