Mexican Wedding Cookies are a classic Christmas cookie recipe made with finely chopped pecans and tossed in powdered sugar to make them look like delicious snowballs!

half of a Mexican Wedding CookiesMexican Wedding Cookies

Mexican Wedding Cookies are one of those classic cookie recipes that goes by many different names, some people call them Snowballs, Russian Tea Cakes, or even Southern Pecan Butterballs. In my house we’ve always called them Mexican Wedding Cookies and they happen to be my sister’s favorite Christmas cookie recipe so they are always on my Christmas baking list. 

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Thank you!Step-by-step instructions for making Mexican wedding cookies

Mexican Wedding Cookies only require 6 ingredients, butter, powdered sugar, flour, finely chopped pecans, vanilla, and salt. The pecans are actually mixed with the flour to become part of the cookie dough so I use a food processor to chop them until they are the consistency of almond flour. If there are a few chunks that is ok but if you choose to use a knife you’ll want to make sure not to have too many big pieces.

How to Make Mexican Wedding Cookies:

  1. In a small bowl combine flour, finely chopped pecans, and salt. 
  2. In the bowl of your mixer combine butter and sugar, creaming them together on low speed until smooth.
  3. Continue mixing the dough as you add the vanilla.
  4. Add the flour mixture to the butter and sugar ½ cup at a time continuing to mix until fully incorporated.
  5. Form the cookie dough into balls using about 1 tablespoon of dough for each.
  6. Place them on a lined baking sheet at least 1 inch apart.
  7. Bake in 325 degree F oven for 18-20 minutes. The cookie should be pale but the bottom should be beginning to brown.
  8. Move cookies to a cooling rack and let them cool completely before gently tossing each one in a bowl of powdered sugar to coat it completely.

Mexican Wedding Cookies on black counter

As the Mexican Wedding Cookies bake the bottoms flatten out to give them a domed shape. The bottoms get perfectly brown and once they are cool you drop each one into a bowl of powdered sugar and roll it around to coat it well. They are sweet, and tender,and full of pecan flavor. Make them as gifts for friends, share them with friends at a cookie exchange, or serve them at your holiday party.

Can I Freeze Mexican Wedding Cookies?

They are the perfect cookie for Christmas because you can make them ahead of time and store them in the freezer. Let them cool completely and before tossing them in powdered sugar place them in a airtight container where they can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to serve them take them out of the freezer, let them come to room temperature and then toss them in powdered sugar.

inside of a Mexican Wedding Cookies

Want more Christmas Cookie recipes?

MEXICAN WEDDING COOKIES
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Servings: 36
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Mexican Wedding Cookies

Created By: Kat Jeter & Melinda Caldwell
Mexican Wedding Cookies are a classic Christmas cookie recipe made with finely chopped pecans and tossed in powdered sugar to make them look like delicious snowballs!
half of a Mexican Wedding Cookies
Print Recipe
3.50 from 2 votes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups All Purpose Flour
  • 1 cup Pecans, finely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 cup Butter, unsalted, room temperature
  • 1 cup Powdered Sugar, divided
  • 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
  • In a small bowl combine flour, pecans, and salt.
  • In the bowl of your mixer combine butter and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar, creaming them together on low speed until smooth.
  • Continue mixing the dough as you add the vanilla.
  • Add the flour mixture to the butter and sugar ½ cup at a time continuing to mix until fully incorporated.
  • Form the cookie dough into balls using about 1 tablespoon of dough for each.
  • Place them on a lined baking sheet at least 1 inch apart.
  • Bake in 325 degree F oven for 18-20 minutes. The cookie should be pale but the bottom should be beginning to brown.
  • Move cookies to a cooling rack and let them cool completely before gently tossing each one in the remaining 1/2 cup of powdered sugar to coat it completely.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie, Calories: 103kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 13mg, Sodium: 77mg, Potassium: 20mg, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 160IU, Calcium: 4mg, Iron: 0.4mg
Nutrition Disclaimer: We are not certified nutritionists. Nutrition facts are an estimate and are provided as a courtesy. They are generated by an online API which recognizes ingredient names and amounts and makes calculations based on the serving size. Results may vary.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American