These Mexican Wedding Cookies are buttery, rich and decadently delicious. Easy to make and fun for the kids! Mexican Wedding Cookies {Pecan Cookie Balls} #fbcookieswap
Have you ever participated in a Cookie Swap?
This is the 1st year that I participated in the Food Bloggers Cookie Swap ~ and it was such a great time that I can’t wait to tell you about it!
I didn’t expect to have as much fun doing this cookie swap as I did! There was exciting anticipation about which cookie to choose, then the actual baking and crafting of the perfect cookie and finally getting to decorate them into a beautiful package for the gift exchange. The packaging was probably the most fun part, because I got to get my creative juices going in a different direction than just cooking or baking!
I definitely had a certain look I wanted for these cookies. I wanted the packaging to represent the season, but I didn’t want to go with traditional Christmas colors. I wanted them to be warm, inviting and show the love and care that went into making them. It warmed my heart to think that the recipient would be receiving a beautiful gift that they could open and then enjoy with their friends and family.
I couldn’t think of a better cookie to share than these Mexican Wedding Cookies. They have been a family favorite of mine since I was a kid! So getting to make them for someone else like my mom used to make them for me, was a really special treat.
These cookies are a perfect time to bring out your cookie scoop! A cookie scoop will keep them perfectly round and consistent so that they will cook easily. The other great thing about these cookies is that they don’t spread, so you can place them closer together than you would other cookies – which means you can bake a lot of them at a time!
The key to making these Mexican Wedding Cookies is rolling the cookie in powdered sugar twice once they are baked. If you roll them only once, the powdered sugar will come off easily because of the buttery goodness in the cooked dough. By rolling them twice, the powdered sugar adheres, even when handled.
If you’ve never heard of the Great Food Blogger’s Cookie Swap, it’s a cookie exchange for food blogger’s around the world that allow us to connect and not only share our love of food and great recipes, but to support a great cause. Coordinated by Lindsey @ Love & Olive Oil and Julie @ The Little Kitchen, they partner with Cookies For Kid’s Cancer to give bloggers an opportunity to donate to CFKC to support this great cause and to send a dozen of our favorite cookies to three other random bloggers in the great cookie exchange.
The 1st cookies I received were from Laura @ Mainline Feast. The 1st thing I was struck by, was the darling tin they were shipped in! So festive for the holidays with a clear see-through top, so I could see those decadent chocolate goodies inside. I was excited before I popped the top, but was blown away by how good they smelled. Chocolate-y goodness in these Spiked Chocolate Pecan Pie Bites. Talk about dark chocolate-y goodness with pecan pie yum! I was simply blown away by the amazing flavor! Such a great, decadent gift. Thank you Laura!!!
The 2nd cookies I received were from Janelle @ F-Chem 101. These cookies were marbled Chocolate Coconut Icebox Cookies, festively decorated with red sugar sprinkles. The coconut smell was so prominent and you know how I love coconut! The coconut was definitely the star in these cookies! Thank you Janelle!
The 3rd and final set of cookies I received were Molasses Crinkle Cookies from Mallory @ Chocolate With Grace. Oooo, I loved these. They were soft with a prominent molasses flavor and sprinkled with a bit of glittering sugar on top. So yum! Thank you Mallory!
As part of this exchange, the kind folks at OXO sent a surprise Good Grips 8 Piece Baker’s Silicone Decorating Bottle Kit. Since I’d already made my cookies by the time I received it, I didn’t get a chance to use it yet – but I’m looking forward to it, because my cookie decorating skills can use all the help they can get. 🙂 Thank you OXO!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this Food Blogger’s Cookie Swap gift exchange as much as I did! It was fun being surprised by a “mystery Santa” and then getting to know other bloggers once the gift was received!
And the best part? You get to give back!
This season is about giving not getting. So, Happy Holidays my dear readers – here is my favorite cookie recipe! I hope you love it as much as I do!
And thanks to these supporters! OXO, Dixie Crystals, California Olive Ranch, Brownie Brittle.
Enjoy!
Mexican Wedding Cookies {Pecan Cookie Balls}
Ingredients
- 1 cup 2 sticks butter, softened
- 2 and 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar divided
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups flour
- 2 cups finely chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Beat butter in large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add 1/2 cup of confectioners' sugar, vanilla, nutmeg and salt; beat until well blended. Stir in flour and pecans.
- Using a cookie scoop, shape into 1-inch round balls. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheet, or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake 15 to 18 minutes until just lightly browned. Remove from baking sheets and let cool 10 minutes. Roll warm cookies in the remaining 2 cups sugar. Place sugared cookies on wire racks to cool. When cool, roll again in sugar.
Renee@Two in the Kitchen says
What a FUN event!! And I love those Mexican Wedding cookies of yours. I call those types of cookies “snowballs” around here. I am sure whoever received your cookies was just thrilled!! And I am going to check out that decorating bottle you got! I love decorating cookies and cupcakes and I have never seen that particular tool before. Have a great week Kristi! 🙂
Kristi says
Thanks Renee! I’d never seen that decorating bottle before either, so I’m really excited to try it! Have a great week! xoxo
Johlene @Flavours & Frosting says
I love the addition of nutmeg in these cookies!!! and then even more important.. what a great cause!! I love that you guys are doing this 🙂 xoxo
Kristi says
Thanks Johlene – you should join us and we can do it together next year! I’d love to see what fabulous creation you’d come up with!
Donalyn@TheCreeksideCook says
One of our favorite cookies, and I agree that double rolling in the sugar makes all the difference!
Kristi says
Thanks Donalyn! They are my favorites too!
Cookin Canuck says
Mexican wedding cookies have always been one of my favorite holiday treats, but I have never made them for my kids. I’m bookmarking this recipe to try.
Kristi says
Thank you! They are one of my very favorite cookies. I think your kids will love them!
ananda says
what a great way to celebrate holidays and connect with all the talented foodie friends! i LOVE wedding cookies!! yours look so pretty like little snowballs, and i’m sure they are drop-dead-delicious! xoxo
Kristi says
Thanks you Ananda! This was such a great cause to contribute to – it was an honor!
Manali @ CookWithManali says
Oh I need to participate in this next year for sure, sounds like a fun ever! These Mexican cookies look adorable Kristi, I have never tried them but want to! Pinned.
Kristi says
Thanks for the pin Manali – I would absolutely LOVE to have you participate next year! It is so much fun!
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says
I love this, Kristi! What a fun exchange and such a great cause… btw Mexican Wedding Cookies are one of my absolute favorite holiday treats…
Kristi says
They’re one of my favorites too Marissa! You should totally do it next year – it is so fun!
whatjessicabakednext says
These cookies look amazing, Kristi! Love the idea of a cookie swap (even posted a cookie recipe today too!!). 😀
Kristi says
Awesome Jessica! What a great cookie – Chocolate & Orange sounds amazing! I would love to have you join us in the cookie swap next year – it’s a lot of fun!
marcie says
You received some awesome cookies! I would’ve died over those spiked chocolate pecan pie bites especially…oh my. I love that we basically chose the same cookie. I always worry that they won’t be fresh when shipping cookies, and these never have that problem! They look delicious, and I love your packaging!
Kristi says
Thanks Marcie – I loved doing the packaging part – and I have to tell you – those Spiked Chocolate Pecan Pie Bites were simply AMAZING!!!
Kelly says
This was my first year participating too and it was so much fun! I would have loved to get these in the mail! They look absolutely perfect and I love the nutmeg in here! Your recipients must have devoured these in no time 🙂
Kristi says
Thanks Kelly! I got lots of compliments for sure – they seemed to love them. And what a great fun thing to do!
K / Pure & Complex says
I can’t believe I’ve never participate din a cookie swap, but I would if I saw these cookies. Nice
Kristi says
You should totally do it next year!!! It is so fun, and I think you’d love it!
CakeSpy says
SO MUCH delicious awesome in this post! I love mexican wedding cakes (or insert other name here that they go by)
Kristi says
Thank you! I do too! They are one of my favorite cookies!
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
LOVE Mexican wedding cookies! I could eat a dozen in one sitting! So is that how you packaged your cookies to ship? Sure beats my USPS flat rate box, lol!! You put my cookie packaging to shame! And these cookies look fabulous too!
Kristi says
Hahaha! I searched a bunch of other bloggers that did the cookie swap last year and got their great packaging ideas! I think it makes it more fun for the recipient. I had a blast decorating them – and yes, that is my packaging! So fun!!! Try it next year – you will love doing it! And with your creative mind, I know your design will be simply amazing. p.s. I want to exchange with YOU next year. Hahaha! xoxo
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
I love cookies around Christmas time! I remember when I was overseas and they said that you needed to have seven types! This would be a great way to get seven types of cookies! 😀
Kristi says
Ahhhhh! I like that – seven types! I could totally go for that Lorraine! xoxo
Katie @ Mom to Mom Nutrition says
I didn’t realize how easy [or little ingredients] these cookies are to make! Definitely trying out this recipe!
Kristi says
Thank you Katie! I’m so glad you like them. I like that they have no eggs in them (if you are familiar with my egg cracking history, you’d totally understand this statement!). Hahahaha! Have a beautiful week!
Connie @ Sprig and Flours says
You are so creative! I LOVE how you strayed from the norm with the cookie flavor and packaging colors. I absolutely adore you.
Kristi says
Thanks Connie! Such a sweet and kind compliment! You made my night!
Sarah @ SnixyKitchen says
Mexican wedding cookies are one of my favorite holiday cookies and yours look just perfect! I love the way you packaged these too! I bet the recipients ate them all in one sitting 😉
Kristi says
Thank you Sarah! They’re one of my favorites too – it’s probably a good thing I sent them off, or I would’ve eaten them all myself!
Sarah@WholeandHeavenlyOven says
This was my first year too! Wasn’t it an absolute blast?! I can’t wait til next year! 🙂 I the meantime, I’m totally wishing that a few of these gorgeous cookies would magically appear next to my coffee this morning! Seriously gorgeous, Kristi!
Kristi says
Thank you Sarah! The cookie swap was fun for sure! I had a great time packaging everything – so fun!
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong says
Cookie swap sounds like so much fun! I had no idea about it.. But i am so intrigued now… Missed it this time.. Can’t wait to try it next year.. Mexican weeding cookies look amazing. love how easy it is to make.. 🙂
Kristi says
You should totally do it next year Arpita – it was a LOT of fun! I’d love to have you join us!
Julie@Sweet and Spicy Monkey says
Hi Kristi! I just wanted to let you know that I loved your cookies and they were packaged so beautifully! I’ve never had cookies like that with nutmeg. I’m still enjoying them! Thank you so much for the cookies and recipe! Happy Holidays!
Kristi says
I’m so glad you liked them Julie! Thank you so much for letting me know. I loved wrapping them beautifully for you – this exchange was so much fun, and to know that you loved them really pleases me! Happy Holidays!
Judit + Corina @ Glamorous Bite says
Oh how fun! These cookies would make a nice present with the pretty box you put them in, but it would be very difficult to have any left to give away!
Wishing you a wonderful holiday! J+C
Kristi says
Thank you Judit & Corina! If I had kept any, for sure I would’ve totally eaten them all! xoxo
Samina | The Cupcake Confession says
Kristi!!!!!! This cookie swap sounds like so much fun and for such a great cause! I am sooooo going to participate next time!!!! Love the wedding cookies that you made!!!!! I might roll them maybe 3 -4 times in icing sugar because – SUGAR! <3
Loving all the cookies you received!!!! Pinning your cookies! :*
Kristi says
Thank you for the pin Samina! I hope you do participate next year…it’s so much fun to do! I’d love to have you participate! xoxo
Amy (Savory Moments) says
I just made my great-grandmother’s Mexican wedding cake cookies over the weekend. She always used walnuts, but I used mini-chocolate chips this time. I love that you added nutmeg to these – I bet they are tasty!
Kristi says
Thanks Amy – we really liked the flavor of the nutmeg in these! I’m hopping over to your site now to check out your cookies!
Monica says
I’m sorry to say I’ve never had the pleasure of tasting these cookies – what is wrong with me! It looks and sounds like my kind of treat, and great tip about the double rolling in powered sugar (I’ll remember that!). Love your packaging and I’m sure your cookies made for some big smiles.
Kristi says
Thanks Monica! I’m so glad you like them. These are my favs, so I’m sure you’d love them too!
Ashley says
Snowballs (which is what my grandma always called them) are a staple at our house every year for Christmas! Love these! I can’t wait to make a batch next week with my mom 🙂 Cookies are the best!
Kristi says
I love these too Ashley! I wish I was coming over for cookies at your house! 🙂
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
Yum!! You can’t beat cookies coated in sugar!! These sound delicious! And what a fun cookie swap!
Kristi says
Thanks Jess! You should participate next year – it’s a lot of fun to do, and you get to meet new bloggers!
Justine | Cooking and Beer says
It really is such an amazing event right!?!? I love your version of Mexican Wedding Cookies! Definitely bookmarking your recipe! Pinned!
Kristi says
Thank you Justine! We love this recipe – and it makes such a great gift, because it ships beautifully! I hope you love it!
Jocelyn@Brucrewlife says
I puffy heart love cookie swaps! So much fun! All of the cookies you showed have me craving cookie goodness now! 😉
Kristi says
Thanks Jocelyn – I visit your site often because you have such gorgeous photos and great recipes. Let me just tell you how much I would *love* to be in a cookie swap with you! All I can say is, Oh Yum! 🙂