Classic Snowball Cookies Recipe - The BEST Mexican Wedding Cookies (2024)

Snowball Cookies or Russian Tea Cakes Recipe – Rich, buttery, delicate and delicious shortbread cookies that melt in your mouth. It is a traditional Christmas cookie recipe and perfect for the holidays!

What are Snowball Cookies?

Snowball Cookies are one of the traditional and popular Christmas cookies. They are tiny shortbread cookie balls rolled in powdered sugar when they are still warm. The cookies are so rich, addictive and they just melt in your mouth. Snowballs are also known as Mexican Wedding Cookies, Italian Wedding Cookies and Russian Tea Cakes.

Ingredients for Snowball Cookies

You just need 6 simple ingredients to make these classic cookies at home.

All-Purpose Flour

Corn Flour or Corn Starch

Unsalted Butter

Powdered Sugar

Vanilla Essence

Salt

Italian Wedding Cookies Variations:

These simple little Mexican Wedding Cookies are so versatile and can also be made with almonds, pecans, walnuts, chocolate chips, lemon or pistachios.

How long can you store the unbaked cookie dough?

You can store in the refrigerator for 4-5 days or freeze it for about 2 months.

How long can you store Russian Tea Cakes or Cookies?

They can stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Can you freeze Mexican Wedding Cookies?

Yes, they freeze extremely well. Once the cookies are baked and rolled in powdered sugar, arrange them in an airtight container and separate the layers with parchment papers. You can freeze them for up to 2 months. Let them thaw at room temperature and roll them in some powdered sugar again before serving.

Why did my Russian Tea Cakes flatten?

The traditional Russian Tea Cakes should be round in shape. Make sure the oven is preheated well and the dough is chilled before baking.

Tips to Make the Best Snowball Cookies:

• Follow the exact measurements to make them perfect.
• Make sure the dough is firm and chilled when you bake.
• Shape the dough into 1-inch size balls to bake them evenly.
• Be careful not to overbake the cookies. They are done when the edges of the cookies just start to brown and the bottoms are very lightly browned.
• You will need to roll the baked cookies in powdered sugar when they are still warm.
• Once they are cool, roll them again in powdered sugar if needed.
• If you want to make super white snowball cookies, roll them twice in powdered sugar.

Mexican Wedding Cookies Recipe with Step by Step Photos:

• Combine the flours and salt in a bowl and keep it aside.

• In a mixing bowl. add unsalted butter and powdered sugar. Beat until it is creamy and smooth.

• Add vanilla essence.

• Mix until well combined.

• Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix well with a spatula until incorporated.
• Lightly knead the mixture to make a soft dough.
• Wrap the dough with a cling film and refrigerate for an hour or until it becomes firm.

• Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C.
• Line a baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
• Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator.

• Roll the dough into 1 inch small balls and place them on the lined baking tray.

• Bake them immediately in the preheated oven for 12 – 15 minutes or until the edges are just starting to brown at 180 degrees C.

• Remove from the oven and let them cool for about 3 – 5 minutes.

• While cookies are still warm, roll them in powdered sugar.

• Arrange them on a wire rack and let them cool completely.
• Roll them twice in powdered sugar if needed. Store in an airtight container.

More Christmas Recipes on the blog:

• Eggless Fruitcake Cookies
• Eggless Cherry Almond Cake
• Nutella Sandwich Cookies
• Vegan Avocado Brownies
• Chocolate Chip Crescent Cookies
• Orange Tutti Frutti Cake
• Wheat Oat Almond Cookies
• Eggless Dates Cake
• Condensed Milk Cashew Cookies
• Goan Kulkuls

Recipe Reference: Joy of Baking

How to Make Snowball Cookies Recipe Video below: