Description
Polvorones (Mexican Wedding Cookies) are delicate, buttery cookies rolled in powdered sugar and packed with nutty flavor. These traditional Mexican treats are tender, crumbly, and perfect for holidays, weddings, or anytime you crave a melt-in-your-mouth dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups walnuts – finely ground and chopped for nutty texture
- Pinch fine salt – balances sweetness
- 2 sticks (16 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature – adds rich, tender texture
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar – sweetens and lightens the dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour – provides structure
- 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar, plus more for coating – gives the signature powdery finish
- Ground cinnamon (optional) – adds a warm, aromatic touch
Instructions
- Place 1/2 cup walnuts and a pinch of salt into a food processor; pulse until finely ground. Roughly chop the remaining 1 cup of walnuts.
- Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C) and position racks in the upper and lower thirds.
- In a large bowl, beat butter until smooth, about 2–3 minutes. Add granulated sugar and continue beating until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes more.
- Mix in flour until just combined, then add both ground and chopped walnuts. Form dough into two balls, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Roll dough into 2-teaspoon-sized balls and arrange 1/2 inch apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for about 18 minutes, or until the bottoms are golden and the tops are just pale golden.
- Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then roll in confectioners’ sugar while still warm. Place on a rack to cool completely.
- Before serving, dust with additional powdered sugar and optional cinnamon.
Notes
- Ensure dough is fully chilled to prevent spreading during baking.
- Cool cookies completely before storing to maintain texture.
- Store in an airtight container for up to one week or freeze for up to three months.
- For a twist, add a teaspoon of vanilla or orange zest to the dough.
- Use gluten-free flour for a gluten-free variation.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: Polvorones, Mexican Wedding Cookies, butter cookies, walnut cookies, holiday cookies, traditional Mexican dessert