Making Soft Wedding Cookies: The Secret Recipe For Success

Wedding cookies are a delightful treat, but how do you make them soft and crumbly? These melt-in-your-mouth cookies are often made with a rich, buttery dough and lots of crushed nuts. While the exact ingredients and methods may vary, there are some key tips to achieve that perfect soft texture. Firstly, it's important to use room temperature butter to achieve the right consistency. Secondly, toasting the nuts before mixing them into the dough enhances their flavour and texture. Chilling the dough before baking is also essential, as it prevents the cookies from spreading too much and helps them retain their shape. Additionally, rolling the warm cookies in powdered sugar not once, but twice, ensures a sweet and delicate coating. By following these tips, you can create soft and irresistible wedding cookies that are perfect for any celebration or holiday gathering.

Use room temperature butter

Wedding cookies, also known as Mexican wedding cookies, Italian wedding cookies, Russian tea cakes, Mexican wedding cakes, polvorones, snowballs, and butterballs, are melt-in-your-mouth treats that are often enjoyed during the holiday season.

To make soft wedding cookies, it is important to start with room temperature butter, between 68°F and 70°F. Here are some tips for using room temperature butter to achieve soft wedding cookies:

• Ensure that the butter is soft before starting the recipe. If you store your butter in the fridge or freezer, let it soften on the countertop for an hour or two before beginning.
• Cream the butter with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for incorporating air into the dough, creating a softer texture.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients, such as flour, salt, and chopped nuts, to the creamed butter mixture. This will help prevent overmixing and keep the dough light and tender.
• If the dough still seems too crumbly, you can add a small amount of liquid. Try adding a teaspoon of water or milk to the dough and mixing until it comes together.
• Once the dough is mixed, shape it into balls and place them on a baking sheet. If the dough is too sticky to handle, chill it in the fridge for about 30 minutes before rolling it into balls.
• Bake the cookies according to the recipe instructions, being careful not to overbake them. Underbaking slightly will help keep them soft.
• Allow the cookies to cool slightly before rolling them in powdered sugar. This will help the sugar stick to the cookies and create a soft, sweet coating.
• Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay soft for up to a week.

Using room temperature butter is an important step in creating soft wedding cookies. By following the tips above, you can ensure that your wedding cookies turn out perfectly soft and delicious.

Toast your nuts first

Toasting your nuts before mixing the dough is a crucial step in making soft wedding cookies. While it may seem like an unnecessary extra step, toasting the nuts really does help to boost their flavour and give the cookies an irresistible nutty taste.

To toast your nuts, place them in a medium skillet and put the skillet on medium heat. Toast the nuts for around 5 minutes, stirring them frequently, until they darken slightly and smell fragrant and nutty. Once they are done, remove the skillet from the heat and let the nuts cool down in the pan.

If you are using a different type of nut other than pecans, such as walnuts or almonds, the toasting time may vary depending on the size of the nut. Keep a close eye on them as they toast to ensure they do not burn.

Once the nuts are toasted and have cooled down, it is time to crush them. You can do this by putting them into a sealable freezer bag and using a rolling pin to roll and crush them until they form a chunky powder. Alternatively, you can use a food processor, but be careful not to over-process the nuts or they will turn into nut butter!

After you have crushed your toasted nuts, you can add them to your cookie dough. This will give your wedding cookies a delightful nutty flavour and soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Chill the dough if it's too soft

If your dough seems too soft, it's important to chill it before you start shaping your cookies. This will make the dough easier to work with and help your cookies hold their shape.

To chill your cookie dough, simply place it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to an hour, or until it firms up. You can also pop it in the freezer for a quicker chill, but be careful not to leave it in too long, as you don't want it to freeze solid.

Once your dough is chilled, you can start forming it into balls. Use a cookie scoop or a spoon to portion out the dough, then gently roll it between your palms to create smooth, round balls. Place the balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, making sure to space them evenly apart.

If your dough is still too sticky or soft after chilling, there are a few other things you can try. First, make sure you're using room temperature butter, not melted butter, in your dough. You can also try adding a little extra flour to the dough, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency.

Another option is to wet your hands slightly before rolling the dough into balls. This can help the dough stick together and prevent it from sticking to your hands. You can also try sprinkling a small amount of cold water over the dough and gently working it in with your hands.

By following these tips, you should be able to achieve the perfect soft and tender wedding cookies with a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Roll the cookies in powdered sugar while they're still warm

Rolling cookies in powdered sugar while they're still warm is a crucial step in making soft wedding cookies. This technique ensures that the cookies are evenly coated in a sweet, delicate layer of sugar, enhancing their melt-in-your-mouth texture. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

First, it's important to let the cookies cool slightly after removing them from the oven. You want the cookies to be warm, but not hot, to the touch. This ensures that they don't crumble when you handle them. If your cookies are too hot, they might fall apart when you try to roll them in the sugar.

Next, have a bowl of powdered sugar ready. The amount of sugar you need will depend on the number of cookies you're making, but make sure there's enough to generously coat each cookie. You can also use a plastic storage bag and put a few cookies in at a time, shaking the bag to coat them in sugar. This method can be less messy and ensures an even coating.

Now, gently take the warm cookies a few at a time and roll them in the powdered sugar. Use a light touch to avoid breaking the cookies. Make sure all sides of the cookies are coated, gently turning them with your fingers or a spoon if needed.

Once they're evenly coated, place the cookies on a wire rack to cool completely. This step is important as it allows the cookies to firm up and the sugar coating to set.

Finally, once the cookies have cooled to room temperature, you have the option to roll them in the powdered sugar again for an extra sweet and delicate finish. This second coating is entirely optional but can make the cookies even softer and more indulgent.

Remember, the key to this step is to work gently and carefully so you don't break the warm cookies. The result will be soft, buttery wedding cookies with a beautiful powdered sugar coating!

Freeze the dough before baking if you want to make it in advance

If you want to make your wedding cookies in advance, freezing the dough before baking is a great option. This method ensures that you can prepare the dough at your convenience and bake fresh cookies whenever you need them. Here's a step-by-step guide to freezing your wedding cookie dough:

• Prepare the dough as per your chosen recipe, combining ingredients such as butter, sugar, vanilla, flour, and nuts.
• Shape the dough into a large disk, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and place it in a zip-top freezer bag.
• Store the wrapped dough in your freezer for up to one month.
• When you're ready to bake, thaw the dough by transferring it to your refrigerator and letting it come to room temperature before shaping and baking the cookies.
• Follow the baking instructions for your specific wedding cookie recipe.
• Enjoy your soft and delicious wedding cookies!

Freezing the dough is a convenient way to make wedding cookies in advance without compromising their taste and texture. By following these steps, you can have freshly baked cookies whenever you need them, making it easier to plan for special occasions or simply satisfy your cookie cravings!

Frequently asked questions