Make Wedding Cookies With Powdered Sugar: A Step-By-Step Guide

Mexican wedding cookies, also known as Russian tea cakes, Italian wedding cookies, polvorones, snowball cookies, and butterballs, are tiny, melt-in-your-mouth cookies with a sweet powdered sugar coating. They are buttery, nutty, and crumbly, and are often enjoyed during the holiday season. Here is a simple recipe for making these delicious treats.

Ingredients:

- Butter

- Powdered sugar

- All-purpose flour

- Salt

- Nuts (pecans, walnuts, or almonds)

- Vanilla extract

- Cinnamon (optional)

- Almond extract (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cream together softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.

2. Mix in the flour, salt, and nuts gradually until a dough forms.

3. Chill the dough if it seems too soft.

4. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on a parchment-lined or ungreased baking sheet.

5. Bake at 325-400°F for 10-20 minutes, or until the cookies are set but not browned.

6. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool slightly.

7. Roll the warm cookies in powdered sugar, then place them on a cooling rack to cool completely.

8. Once cool, roll the cookies in powdered sugar again for a second coating.

9. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

How to make the dough for wedding cookies with powdered sugar

Wedding cookies are known by many names, including Russian tea cakes, Mexican wedding cakes, Italian wedding cookies, and polvorones. They are buttery, nutty, and melt in your mouth.

Ingredients:

• Butter: Use unsalted butter at room temperature to achieve the right consistency.
• Powdered Sugar: This is key to the melt-in-your-mouth texture and sweet flavour of the cookies.
• Nuts: Toasted and finely chopped pecans or walnuts add a rich, nutty flavour to the dough.
• Vanilla Extract: This enhances the overall flavour of the cookies.
• Flour: All-purpose flour brings the dough together and gives it structure.
• Salt: A small amount of salt enhances the other ingredients' flavours without making the cookies taste salty.

Method:

• Cream the Butter and Sugar: Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, cream together the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for incorporating air into the dough and creating a light, tender texture.
• Add the Vanilla: Mix in the vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar mixture.
• Gradually Add the Dry Ingredients: With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour and salt to the wet ingredients. Mix until a dough forms.
• Incorporate the Nuts: Mix in the toasted and chopped nuts on low speed or by hand. The nuts add a crunchy texture and extra flavour to the dough.
• Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Chilling helps firm up the dough and makes it easier to handle.

Once the dough is chilled, you can proceed to shape and bake the cookies. Enjoy the process of making these delicious treats!

How to shape the dough into balls

Shaping the dough into balls is an important step in making wedding cookies. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Firstly, ensure that your dough is the right consistency. If it is too sticky, chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to firm up before proceeding. If the dough is too crumbly, try adding a small amount of water and gently working it with your hands until it reaches the desired consistency.

Next, use a cookie scoop or a spoon to scoop out the dough into portions. For uniform-sized cookies, use a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop to ensure equal portions.

Then, use your hands to gently roll each portion of dough into a smooth ball. Try to get them as round as possible. If the dough sticks to your hands, slightly dampen your hands with water or chill the dough for a few minutes before continuing.

Finally, place the shaped dough balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, spaced slightly apart. If you plan to bake the cookies immediately, preheat your oven to the required temperature (usually around 325-400°F or 165-200°C*) about 10 minutes before baking.

Once the oven is preheated, bake the cookies according to your recipe's instructions, being careful not to overbake or burn them. Allow the cookies to cool slightly before rolling them in powdered sugar for that signature melt-in-your-mouth texture and sweet coating.

By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to creating perfectly shaped and delicious wedding cookies with a beautiful, sugary coating.

How to bake the cookies

To make wedding cookies with powdered sugar, you'll need to follow these steps:

First, preheat your oven to 325-400°F. While the oven is preheating, prepare your cookie dough by creaming together softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy. You can also add a pinch of salt to enhance the other flavours without making the cookies taste salty. Then, gradually mix in your dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, finely chopped or ground nuts (traditionally pecans, but walnuts or almonds work too), and optionally, a teaspoon of cinnamon or other spices. If your dough seems too soft at this point, go ahead and chill it in the refrigerator for about an hour.

Once your dough is ready, form it into 1-inch balls and place them on a parchment-lined or ungreased baking sheet, spaced slightly apart. Bake for 10-20 minutes, keeping a close eye on them to make sure they don't brown. You'll know they're done when they're just barely starting to turn light golden-brown.

When the cookies are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly. While they're still warm, gently roll each cookie in a bowl of powdered sugar until evenly coated. You can do this step twice if you want an extra sweet and snowy look. Let the cookies cool completely on wire racks, then enjoy!

Tips for Success:

• If your dough is too sticky to work with, chill it in the fridge for about 30 minutes before rolling it into balls.
• Toasting your nuts before adding them to the dough will boost their flavour and give your cookies an extra nutty kick.
• If you want to freeze your cookies, it's best to do it before baking and rolling them in powdered sugar. Form the dough into balls, freeze them on a baking sheet, and then transfer them to a freezer-safe container. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before baking according to the recipe instructions.

How to coat the cookies in powdered sugar

Coating your wedding cookies in powdered sugar is a simple process. First, you'll need to prepare a shallow bowl of powdered sugar. Then, roll the warm cookies a few at a time through the sugar. Make sure the cookies are still warm, but not too hot, so that the sugar melts and creates a sweet coating. If you prefer, you can also brush the cookies with melted butter before rolling them in the sugar, which will make the sugar stick better and give the cookies an extra touch of sweetness.

Once the cookies have cooled completely, you can roll them once or twice more in the powdered sugar for a more generous coating. This extra step will ensure that your wedding cookies are not only delicious but also visually appealing.

If you want to get creative, you can even add some pastel colours to the powdered sugar by processing dried fruits like strawberries, blueberries, or mangoes into a powder and mixing them in. This will give your cookies a pretty, festive touch.

Remember, coating the cookies in powdered sugar is a crucial step in achieving the signature melt-in-your-mouth texture of wedding cookies. So, take your time and enjoy the process of creating these delightful treats!

How to store the cookies

To store your wedding cookies, you'll want to make sure they're kept fresh and don't lose their soft, crumbly texture. Here's how to do it:

Storing Cookies at Room Temperature

Room temperature is a good option if you plan to eat the cookies within a few days. Store your cookies in an airtight container, cookie jar, or plastic bag to prevent air exposure and moisture loss. Keep them in a cool, dry area, away from direct sunlight, heat sources, or areas with high humidity. Layer the cookies with parchment or wax paper to prevent sticking. They will stay fresh for about 3 to 7 days.

Storing Cookies in the Refrigerator

If you want to keep your cookies for longer than a few days, storing them in the refrigerator is a good option. Use airtight containers or resealable plastic bags, and make sure the cookies have cooled completely before placing them in the container to prevent condensation. Label the containers or bags with the date and store them in a specific area away from food with strong odours to prevent flavour transfer. Cookies stored in the refrigerator can last for about 1 to 2 weeks.

Storing Cookies in the Freezer

If you want to keep your cookies for an extended period, the freezer is your best bet. Let the cookies fully cool before placing them in the freezer to prevent freezer burn. You can wrap the cookies individually or in layers with wax paper and place them in airtight containers or freezer bags to prevent sticking. Label the containers or bags with the type of cookie and the date of storage. Cookies stored in the freezer can last for about 1 to 3 months.

Tips for Storing Cookies:

• If you have different types of cookies, store them in separate containers to prevent soft cookies from moistening crisp cookies and to avoid blending of flavours.
• Store cookies in layers with parchment or wax paper between them to prevent sticking.
• If you have decorated or frosted cookies, it's best to store them in a single layer with parchment paper or wrap them individually to preserve their appearance.
• Cream-filled or delicate cookies are best consumed within a few days for the freshest taste and texture.

Frequently asked questions