Cutout Mexican Wedding Cookies

by Alma Laurents
(Austin, TX)

Heart-Shaped Mexican Wedding Cookies

Mexican wedding cookies are a tradition and very meaningful to the Mexican culture for weddings, quinceaneras, and during Christmas.

The history of these cookies dates back many years and it is not clear as to when they first appeared in the new world. There are many different versions that exist in many cultures, each slightly different in the ingredients.

There are also many varieties of Mexican wedding cookies, but in south Texas you will primarily find the ones that are either rolled in confectioners sugar or a mixture of sugar and cinnamon.

Their significance truly comes down to the richness of the cookie and the purity of the sugars, in essence wishing the couple a rich future and the birthday girl a sweet new beginning.

During Christmas, the sugars on top of the cookie look a bit like the first frost of the holiday season and are best eaten with some hot chocolate for that "melt in your mouth" experience.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all!

Cutout Mexican Wedding Cookies Recipe

Ingredients:

2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup ground almonds
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup shortening
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons cinnamon tea (boil 1 cinnamon stick in 1 cup water)

Topping:

1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:
In large bowl, using a spatula mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, almonds, and salt. Mix by hand (important for great cookies) and add the butter and shortening until mixture is consistent.

Then add vanilla and cooled tea and knead until it forms a ball.

On a lightly floured surface, roll into a log and cut into 4 sections then cover and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.

Take only one section from the refrigerator and roll out onto a lightly floured surface about 1/4 inch thick. Use about a 1 inch wide cookie cutter to cut cookies.

Place onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Bake about 13 to 15 minutes at 350F degrees or until "lightly" brown on the bottom of the cookies. Do not overbake as this will change the flavor of the cookie.

Leave on cookie sheet for about 2 minutes, roll both sides in the sugar and cinnamon mixture, then place on cooling rack.

This recipe makes about 4 dozen Mexican Wedding Cutout Cookies.

Comments for Cutout Mexican Wedding Cookies

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Sep 24, 2024
Rating

cookies NEW
by: Anonymous

I have been using this recipe for 47 years.

Jun 19, 2024
Rating

Abuela's "Pan Fino" NEW
by: Francine

My mother made these cookies but she called them Pab Fino. She did not use eggs, butter it cinnamon tea. She ground the cinnamon then lightly tasted it on a cast iron skillet. That created the nutty taste. We lived in a restaurant and they catered weddings so I only remember her using large amounts of ingredients. The last time she made them was for our youngest son's wedding . They were her wedding gift to him. Everything was hand mixed. She mixed the dough then covered it with a damp tea towel for a few hours. Then would press the dough onto a floured surface and then roll it out. the dough was about 1/2-3/4 inch thickness. She used small heart coomie cutters. She always said to monitor the stove and if necessary pop it open a bit. So delicate and she patiently rolled the cookie into the sugar cinnamon coating. They just melted on your mouth. Such wonderful memories of my mother.

Dec 18, 2022
Rating

Nope you don't need egg to bind NEW
by: Anonymous

This recipe is authentic to the culture. Keep dough a bit thicker than what you expect for say, sugar cookies. The butter and shortening will do the trick. Some versions of this recipe just use lard. The cookies will be both dense/rich and light--it's contradictory and delightful. Many childhood memories of my cousins weddings include these cookies in the church basement or courtyard at the reception.

Jan 22, 2022
Rating

Egg? NEW
by: Anonymous

Why's there no egg in this cookie? It seems that you need an egg to hold the ingredients together,

Dec 12, 2021
Rating

Yum NEW
by: Leticia

Tried these for the first time. The recipe easy to follow. I used my bullet to get the almonds grounded. Left both the shortening and butter out to soften. Boiled the cinnamon stick like it said. Used plenty of flour to make sure the cookies didn’t stick to my mat. Baked for 13 minutes. I found I liked the thinners ones over the thickets ones. The whole family loved them.

Dec 17, 2020
Rating

Cookies NEW
by: Francine

I made the dough but it is very crumbly. Why is that? ? I cannot roll it out without it crumbling in big chunks! Very frustrating lol

Nov 10, 2019
Rating

Gluten free pan de polvo NEW
by: Anonymous

Can these be made with gluten free flour?

Nov 10, 2019
Rating

Gluten free pan de polvo
by: Anonymous

Can these be made with gluten free flour?

Jul 31, 2019
Rating

Mex. Cookies NEW
by: Sandra_b_69

I made these cookies. And they came out GREAT. Thanks for sharing your recipe.

Dec 22, 2018
Rating

Tried recipe NEW
by: Liza

Baked some for Christmas. Great recipe, Delish cookie,
Thanks and Happy Holidays!

Oct 22, 2018
Rating

Cookie Cutter Size NEW
by: Anonymous

Can a larger cookie cutter be used, and if so do I need to adjust the baking time? Also, can I use raw almonds?

Feb 10, 2017
Rating

Ground almonds NEW
by: Anonymous

Can almond meal or flour be substituted for the ground almonds?

Jan 31, 2017
Rating

Nuts NEW
by: Nelda

I have made these cookies dozens of times & have always used pecans & sometimes even walnuts when I didn't have pecans. They come out just as good & my friends are always asking me to make some to sell to them. So NO, you don't need to use almonds in this recipe.

Dec 24, 2016
Rating

Heather NEW
by: Anonymous

Heather...try leaving in frig longer and flour your roller. Hope this helps. Merry Christmas, Alma

Dec 24, 2016
Rating

Sticky Dough NEW
by: Heather B

I followed this recipe exactly and my dough is so sticky o can't roll it without it getting stuck to the floured roller. Any suggestions? I've added more flour to see if that helps.

Nov 09, 2016
Rating

Pecans NEW
by: Anonymous

I have made them with pecans . Pecans are my favorites.

Apr 29, 2016
Rating

Almonds NEW
by: Alma

For this cookie, you have to use almonds instead of pecans

Apr 28, 2016
Rating

E NEW
by: Anonymous

Can you use pecans instead of almonds

Mar 30, 2016
Rating

Delivery NEW
by: Alma

No sorry, I do not sell these.

Mar 29, 2016
Rating

Hi NEW
by: Anonymous

Do u sell them

Mar 24, 2016
Rating

Almond flour NEW
by: Alma

Veronica,
I have never tried almond flour, I think it will be ok. Another option instead of adding ground almonds is to use almond butter to get the rich taste. Hope you like them as much as I do!

Mar 23, 2016
Rating

Mexican wedding cookies NEW
by: Veronica

I was wondering if you can use almond flour instead of ground almonds? Or do you have to use ground almonds?

Feb 15, 2016
Rating

Almonds NEW
by: Anonymous

Yes I grind my own using blanched almonds.

Feb 14, 2016
Rating

Best cookie ever NEW
by: Anonymous

Where do you buy ground almonds or do you ground your own...

Oct 08, 2015
Rating

Cutout Mexican Wedding Cookies NEW
by: santa90

To the best college paper writing cheap is the best tips and methods giving to all students, we are very happy to find this site. Writing services really cheap of cost and available for all class peoples.'

Sep 26, 2015
Rating

Mexican Food NEW
by: Anonymous

The traditions are followed in Mexico at the time of wedding. Mexican food plays a key role in this. It is very tasty and with the help rush essay coupon I learned how to cook when I am writing a paper. Cutout Cookies are made with milk and they are very tasty and healthy.

Jul 17, 2015
Rating

Best cookie I ever ate NEW
by: Alicia

I grew up in a small town in Texas and there was a small family owned bakery just down the street where I first tasted these cookies. That memory of eating those tasty cookies are with me always. I can still taste them in my mouth sweet and full of flavor. Different mexican bakeries add different spies like anise or chopped finely cinnamon sticks. All great tasting in their own way.

Jul 15, 2015
Rating

nice NEW
by: Anonymous

If you ask me I would say that it is indeed a good collection of cookies that is sure to be of great change for the important jobs such as serving the un expected guests that one might end up having these days.

::: weed sprayer :::

Aug 29, 2013
Rating

Thanks! NEW
by: Alma

Chris, glad you liked them. I forgot to add in the recipe that you can adjust the amount of cinnamon to your liking on the topping. I actually just use a dash, maybe
about 1/8 teaspoonful. All the best to you!

Aug 12, 2013
Rating

Mexican Wedding Cookies NEW
by: Chris

The cookies were quite easy to make and they turned out really well. I made these at Christmas and they were a major hit. They are very similar to Shortbread cookies. Just loved them.......

Jan 03, 2013
Rating

Amazing tradition
by: Emma

Enjoyed reading the story behind these cookies. Now I know why they are called Mexican Wedding Cookies and their significance. It's amazing how these cookies have been handed down for generations. I've never seen a cut out version before. Can't wait to try your recipe. They look absolutely delicious.

Jan 03, 2013
Rating

Awesome cookie!
by: Anonymous

These turned out so "pretty" and so good. I will be using this recipe for all special occasions too. Awesome!

Jan 02, 2013
Rating

Great recipe!
by: Susan

These cookies were a hit at our house during Christmas!
The recipes I've seen use pecans, but I like your version of
using almonds rather than pecans, it makes the taste much richer. Thanks for your recipe on this classic
cookie. It's a keeper!!

Dec 15, 2012
Rating

Festive & Delicious
by: Anonymous

I'm a huge fan of Mexican Wedding Cookies, but have never made a cutout version. I look forward to trying these soon.

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Cutout Mexican Wedding Cookies

Cutout Mexican Wedding Cookies Recipe

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