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

Wedding cake cookies are a delightful treat, perfect for weddings, holidays, or any festive gathering. These cookies are known by many names, including Mexican wedding cookies, Russian tea cakes, Italian wedding cookies, and snowballs. They are buttery, nutty, and crumbly, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture that is simply irresistible. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of making delicious wedding cake cookies that will be sure to impress your family and friends.

Choosing your ingredients

Wedding cake cookies are a delightful treat, and choosing the right ingredients is essential to creating the perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture and flavour. Here is a detailed guide to selecting the best ingredients for your wedding cake cookies:

Flour:

The type of flour you use will impact the texture of your cookies. For wedding cake cookies, all-purpose flour is the best choice. It will give your cookies the perfect crumbly and delicate texture. Be sure to measure the flour accurately, as adding too much can lead to dry and crumbly cookies.

Butter:

Butter is a key ingredient in wedding cake cookies, providing moisture, richness, and that irresistible melt-in-your-mouth texture. Choose unsalted butter for the best results, and ensure it is at room temperature before you begin. This will make it easier to cream the butter with the sugar, creating a light and fluffy base for your dough.

Sugar:

Confectioner's sugar, also known as powdered sugar, is the preferred choice for wedding cake cookies. It is added to the dough and used to dust the cookies after baking. The sugar not only provides sweetness but also contributes to the delicate texture. When creamed with the butter, it gives the cookies a light and tender crumb.

Nuts:

Nuts are a signature ingredient in wedding cake cookies, adding a rich, buttery flavour and a crumbly texture. The most popular choice is pecans, but you can also use walnuts, almonds, pistachios, or hazelnuts. Toasting the nuts before adding them to the dough enhances their flavour and takes your cookies to the next level.

Extracts:

Vanilla extract is a must-have ingredient, providing a warm depth of flavour that complements the buttery notes. For an extra twist, you can also add almond extract, which enhances the nutty flavour of the cookies.

Salt:

A pinch of salt is essential to bringing out the flavours of the other ingredients. Sea salt or regular salt can be used, depending on your preference.

Spices:

While some bakers prefer to keep their wedding cake cookies simple, you can add spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, or cloves for a festive twist. Just a small amount will add a lovely depth of flavour to your cookies.

By carefully selecting high-quality ingredients and following a well-tested recipe, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious wedding cake cookies that will impress your guests and satisfy their sweet tooth!

Mixing the dough

To make wedding cake cookies, you'll need to start by preheating your oven to 350°F.

In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, a pinch of salt, and 2 teaspoons of baking powder. Set this aside.

Now, it's time to mix the dough. In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 sticks of room-temperature unsalted butter with 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar. Use a hand mixer to blend these ingredients until the mixture becomes fluffy, which should take about 2 minutes.

Once you've achieved the right consistency, you can start adding the eggs, one at a time, to the mixture. Then, add 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and mix well.

Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Use a spatula to combine everything until a ball of dough forms. If your dough seems too soft, you can chill it in the refrigerator for a bit to make it easier to handle.

Shaping the cookies

Firstly, prepare your dough by combining the dry and wet ingredients in separate bowls. The dry ingredients typically include flour, salt, and baking powder, while the wet ingredients consist of butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix the wet ingredients until they are light and fluffy, and then gradually add the dry ingredients to form a ball of dough.

Once you have a smooth dough, it's time to shape it. Here are a few methods you can use:

• Roll the dough—Place a piece of wax or parchment paper over half of the dough and roll it out to your desired thickness (usually about 1/4-inch thick). Using cookie cutters, cut the dough into various shapes such as circles, hearts, or other wedding-themed shapes. You can also use the rim of a glass or a cookie cutter specifically designed for weddings, such as a bride and groom silhouette. Place the cut-out shapes on a parchment-lined cookie sheet, leaving some space between each cookie.
• Shape into balls—Take a heaping tablespoon of dough and shape it into a ball, usually about 1-inch in diameter. Place the balls onto a parchment-lined or ungreased baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. This method is commonly used for Mexican wedding cookies, which are often shaped like crescents.
• Use a cookie scoop—If you want more uniform cookies, you can use a cookie scoop to portion out the dough. Simply scoop out the dough and use your hands to roll it into balls, or slightly flatten them on the baking sheet.

After shaping the cookies, they are ready to be baked. Preheat your oven to the temperature specified in your recipe (usually around 350°F) and bake the cookies for 10-15 minutes, or until they are lightly browned. Allow the cookies to cool slightly before removing them from the baking sheet.

For an extra touch of elegance, you can decorate the wedding cake cookies with royal icing, fondant, or cookie glaze. You can also roll them in powdered sugar while they are still warm, and again once they have cooled for a more luxurious coating, as is common for Mexican wedding cookies.

Baking the cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, a pinch of salt, and 2 teaspoons of baking powder. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 sticks of unsalted butter and 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar with a hand mixer until fluffy, for about 2 minutes. You can also do this by hand, but it will take longer.

Add 2 eggs, one at a time, to the large mixing bowl. Then, add 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and mix well.

Gradually add the flour mixture to the large mixing bowl and mix with a spatula until a ball of dough forms. If your dough is too sticky, chill it in the fridge for 30 minutes before rolling.

Transfer the dough to a well-floured work surface and cut it in half. Place waxed paper over half of the dough and roll it out to about 1/4-inch thickness. You can also use a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop to scoop the dough, and use your hands to roll it into balls.

Place the other half of the dough in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it.

Using cookie cutters, cut the dough into various shapes and place them on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Repeat this process with the other half of the dough.

Bake the cookies for 11 to 13 minutes, or until they are lightly golden. Leave them on the cookie sheet to cool.

Your wedding cake cookies are now ready to be decorated with royal icing, fondant, or cookie glaze!

Decorating the cookies

Decorating wedding cake cookies is a fun and creative process that can truly showcase your style and theme. Here are some detailed instructions to help you achieve beautifully decorated wedding cake cookies:

Icing and Fondant

Royal icing, fondant, or cookie glaze are the most popular options for decorating wedding cake cookies. These can be used to create a smooth, elegant finish or intricate designs, depending on your preference. If you choose to use royal icing, prepare a batch by combining egg whites, powdered sugar, and a small amount of lemon juice. This will create a glossy and sturdy icing that dries hard, making it perfect for detailed designs. Fondant, on the other hand, offers a smooth and flawless finish and can be easily coloured or flavoured.

Colour Scheme and Design

When it comes to colour, choose a palette that complements your wedding theme. You can create a soft and romantic look with pastel colours or go bold and vibrant to make a statement. Consider adding gold or silver accents for a touch of elegance. As for the design, you can opt for classic patterns such as stripes, polka dots, or lace, or get creative with monogrammed initials, floral motifs, or abstract designs.

Piping and Detailing

To achieve intricate details and precise lines, use a piping bag fitted with a small round tip. Practice on a piece of parchment paper before piping directly onto the cookies. Start with simple outlines and gradually add more complex details. If you're using fondant, you can cut out shapes using cookie cutters and place them on top of the cookies for a neat and professional finish.

Edible Decorations

Enhance the beauty of your wedding cake cookies with edible decorations such as sugar pearls, sprinkles, or dried flowers. Sugar pearls come in various sizes and colours and can be used to create borders, add texture, or form intricate patterns. Sprinkles are a fun and versatile option, offering a wide range of colours and shapes to match any theme. Dried flowers, such as lavender or rose petals, can also be used to add a romantic and natural touch to your cookie designs.

Presentation and Display

The presentation of your wedding cake cookies is just as important as their decoration. Arrange the cookies on a tiered cake stand or a beautifully decorated platter. Add height and visual interest by varying the sizes and shapes of the cookies. You can also incorporate fresh flowers, greenery, or ribbon to enhance the overall display. Remember to provide a sign or label indicating that the cookies are for your guests to enjoy!

Frequently asked questions