This easy Mexican Christmas Cookies recipe is sure to please! People enjoy receiving this particular cookie as a holiday gift because of its rich almond flavor. The nutty flavor perfectly rolled in powdered sugar, on the other hand, gives you that perfect Christmas night vibe!
WHAT ARE MEXICAN CHRISTMAS COOKIES?
Isn’t it true that holiday preparations aren’t complete unless you look up recipes for new dishes to serve? When it comes to cookies, we have the traditional snickerdoodles and gingerbread snaps, but it’s time to branch out this year! Here are the Mexican Christmas Cookies, also known as Mexican wedding cookies.
Okay, before we continue, despite the name “Mexican wedding cookies,” these cookies are not just for celebrating marriage, but for any special occasion or holiday, such as Christmas! In fact, these holiday treats make an excellent seasonal gift and sometimes come in a variety of flavors.
Today, these cookies serve more than just as a sweet treat, as they contain not only a nutty flavor but also a very rich history and significance. These Mexican Christmas cookies did not originate in Mexico, but can instead be traced back to medieval Arab baking. When butter, sugar, spices, and nuts were the most common ingredients. Because of the expansion of trade routes, this nutty treat has made its way to the Middle East and, eventually, all of Europe.
The recipe was then spread and brought to Mexico in the 16th century by European nuns or Spanish conquistadors in the Americas. Whether referred to as Mexican Christmas Cookies or Mexican Wedding Cookies, these sweet treats are typically made with finely chopped nuts such as walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, or almonds, which vary depending on the origins of the recipe.
WHY ARE THESE COOKIES DRY?
Although some people might find these cookies to be dry at some point, these delectable delights are noted for their crumbly, buttery, and nutty texture that absolutely melts in your mouth. Regardless, why do these Mexican Christmas Cookies seem to be dry?
Because there is no egg to bind these cookies, they will likely be a little dry because they are designed to be crumbly rather than chewy. Nevertheless, the dense, buttery dough and a generous amount of crushed nuts give it a delicate, melt-away quality.
However, due to the way they are prepared, Mexican Christmas Cookies may become dry. When cooking, be sure to precisely measure the ingredients and set a timer so you won’t overbake your treats, such as by baking it for too long or occasionally adding too much ingredient, like flour.
WHY DO THESE COOKIES MAKE A GREAT GIFT?
Admit it, the holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year. You’re busy making gifts, decorating the house, and cooking for Christmas Eve. Therefore, if you want to avoid the chaos of holiday shopping, think about Mexican Christmas Cookies. This will relieve you of the headache of gift-wrapping and shipping in addition to saving you some time thinking about and purchasing a gift.
Along with that, your friends and family will be able to enjoy the holiday cookies you baked yourself. Without actually doing anything, it’s a terrific way to demonstrate that you’ve tried to make them feel special throughout the holidays.
WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS TO MAKE MEXICAN CHRISTMAS COOKIES?
The ingredients you’ll need to make these nutty Mexican Christmas Cookies are as follows:
- Unsalted Butter
- Powdered Sugar
- Vanilla Extract
- Ground Cinnamon
- Salt
- All Purpose Flour
- Walnuts or Pecans
- Powdered Sugar or Confectioners’ Sugar, for rolling the cookies
Equipment and Tools Needed
This list of equipment and tools will assist you in achieving the best results with this recipe:
- Oven
- Large bowl
- Electric beater
- Spatula
- Measuring spoons
- Cookie sheet
- Air tight container
HOW TO MAKE MEXICAN CHRISTMAS COOKIES
Now that you’ve gathered all of your ingredients, it’s time to put this delicious recipe together. Here are some simple steps you should take to achieve the best results!
STEP 1: PREHEAT THE OVEN AND SOFTEN THE BUTTER
Preheat the oven to 400°F and line 2 large cookie sheets with parchment paper or a silicone liner.
In a large bowl add the softened beat with an electric beater, until light and fluffy.
STEP 2: ADD SUGAR
Add ½ cup of powdered sugar and beat on low for 1 minute, until the sugar is absorbed in the butter.
STEP 3: ADD SPICES AND FLOUR
Add the vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt and beat for a minute.
Now add the all-purpose flour and fold it in with a spatula.
STEP 4: ADD WALNUTS
Once all the flour is incorporated, add the finely chopped walnuts and fold them in.
STEP 5: FORM THE COOKIES
Using a 1-tablespoon measuring spoon, form 1-inch balls from the cookie dough, and place them on the prepared cookie sheet.
STEP 6: BAKE AND COAT
Bake at 400°F for 10 minutes.
Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes and then immediately roll them in powdered sugar. The cookies should be warm. Most of the sugar from this coat will get absorbed into the cookies.
STEP 7: LET IT COOL AND COAT AGAIN
Once all the warm cookies are rolled in powdered sugar, let them cool completely.
Now roll each cooled cookie again in powdered sugar.
STEP 8: SERVE
Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to a week.
VARIATIONS
These cookies are not only rich in history and flavor, but they are also very versatile; their simplicity makes it easier to incorporate other ingredients that will undoubtedly give them a new flavor. Here are some ways to transform your Mexican Christmas Cookie into something new:
Chocolate
Who doesn’t enjoy chocolate, right? Make your Mexican Christmas Cookies chocolatey by mixing in some unsweetened cocoa powder with the flour. Your children will undoubtedly appreciate this simple change!
With or without nuts
Although these cookies are naturally known for their nutty flavor, you can always leave it out and it won’t make a big difference, but you can also add more to your liking.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
These Mexican Christmas Cookies pair well with the Dark Chocolate Chai Latte; the combination is enough to make you feel like it’s Christmas morning!
TIPS
- To get the perfect cookie shape, scoop the dough with an ice cream scoop or cookie scoop, and then shape it with your hands.
- You can also chill your dough for about 15 minutes to help it hold its shape.
- To help the cookie have a longer shelf life make sure to store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Make sure the butter is softened rather than melted, as melted butter will give the cookie a flatter shape.
MEXICAN CHRISTMAS COOKIE RECIPE CARD
Now that you’ve learned everything there is to know about Mexican Christmas Cookies, it’s time to print or save the recipe. The recipe card below contains the complete ingredients and instructions for Mexican Christmas Cookie.
No worries if you don’t have time to print it right now! Simply save the recipe card to your Pinterest account by clicking the pin button in the recipe card below.
If you make this recipe and enjoy it, please leave a 5-star rating. It would mean the world to me!
Mexican Christmas Cookie
Mexican Christmas Cookies are a delightful and traditional cookie to make during the holidays.
Ingredients
- • 1 cup (2 sticks) Unsalted Butter, at room temperature
- • ½ cup Powdered Sugar (Confectioners' Sugar)
- • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- • ½ teaspoon ground Cinnamon
- • ¼ teaspoon Salt
- • 2½ cups All Purpose Flour
- • 1 cup of finely chopped Walnuts or Pecans
- • 1½ cup Powdered Sugar (Confectioners' Sugar), for rolling the cookies
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line 2 large cookie sheets with parchment paper or a silicone liner.
- In a large bowl add the softened beat with an electric beater, until light and fluffy.
- Add ½ cup of powdered sugar and beat on low for 1 minute, until the sugar is absorbed in the butter.
- Add the vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt and beat for a minute.
- Now add the all-purpose flour and fold it in with a spatula.
- Once all the flour is incorporated, add the finely chopped walnuts and fold them in.
- Using a 1-tablespoon measuring spoon, form 1-inch balls from the cookie dough, and place them on the prepared cookie sheet.
- Bake at 400F for 10 minutes.
- Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes and then immediately roll them in powdered sugar. The cookies should be warm. Most of the sugar from this coat will get absorbed into the cookies.
- Once all the warm cookies are rolled in powdered sugar, let them cool completely.
- Now roll each cooled cookie again in powdered sugar.
- Serve immediately or store in an air-tight container for up to a week.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
24Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 127Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 30mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 1gSugar: 10gProtein: 2g
PeaceLoveChristmas.com may offer nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although PeaceLoveChristmas.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
If you liked this delicious recipe, be sure to check these other great recipes out:
Be sure to PIN this for later and SHARE it on Facebook!
Leave a Reply