Mexican Wedding Cookies Recipe – Pan de Polvo (2024)

cookies, Recipes, Uncategorized

Veronica

Mexican Wedding Cookies Recipe – Pan de Polvo (1)

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I know these little cookies as hojarascas or pan de polvo, that is how they are called back home.

It is funny because you can find them pretty much everywhere, even on the bus on your way to work.

Back in Mexico a guy would get in the bus and yell “hojarascas, mil la bolsa” which means cookies, one thousand pesos for the bag. That is just normal if it is not a person selling cookies it could be someone else selling frozen treats.

Where I live now, these cookies are given out at weddings. they are very popular too but not like back home. If you go to a wedding your chances of getting these cookies with the cake are very high.

Just to think this pan de polvo is so easy to make…

Mexican Wedding Cookies Recipe – Pan de Polvo (2)

How to make traditional Mexican wedding cookies

To make these delicious cookies you will need:

  1. Flour
  2. Shortening
  3. Sugar
  4. Eggs
  5. Cinnamon
  6. Baking powder
  7. Salt
  8. Milk

We start by creaming the shortening, sugar, and cinnamon. Once it is all combined and creamed, add the eggs. I do scrape the sides of the bowl quite often. once you add the eggs the batter will look like curdled, just let it mix all together.

Time to add the rest of the dry ingredients. You can combine the flour and baking powder ahead of time if not, now is the time to put them in the mixing bowl and mix everything together.

You might notice the dough is dry and you need to press it down with your finger to form a ball. Add some milk to make it less dry.

Roll out cookies or little ball cookies

Since the cookies are made with shortening there is no need to refrigerate the dough. You can make shaped cookies or little bite-size round cookies.

If you want the bite-size round cookies, use a cookie tablespoon scoop and form the little ball with your hands. Place them in a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

You want to make heart-shaped or any shape cookies? Well, you need parchment paper, a rolling pin, two thin pieces of wood ( same thickness) to use as a thickness guide and some flour in case the dough gets sticky.

In a flat surface place the parchment paper and the thickness guides. Roll out the dough and with a small cookie cutter cut the cookies. Place them in a baking sheet lined up with parchment paper. place them apart. These “pan de polvo” cookies will not melt or bake bigger but it is good to leave room in-between each cookie.

You might like to make a vanilla cake

Mexican Wedding Cookies Recipe – Pan de Polvo (3)

Sugar Dusting the cookies

In a separate bowl combine sugar and cinnamon. Once the cookies are out of the oven you need to start passing them through the cinnamon-sugar. It needs to be done right away since the warmth of the cookie helps the sugar stick to it.

You can use powdered sugar instead. The trick to do so is to wait for the cookies to cool down completely so the sugar won’t melt with the warmth of the cookie.

Modifications:

You can add some powdered anise or pieces of pecans to change the flavor of the cookie. My favorite is to use pecan pieces, it adds a crunchy texture and a spectacular flavor.

These cookies are also a tradition during the Christmas holidays, they are given as a little present to teachers, coworkers or friends. Have them for breakfast with your cup of coffee, you will love them.

Mexican Wedding Cookies Recipe – Pan de Polvo (4)

How to store the cookies and dough.

You can store the baked cookies in the fridge for about a week or even 2.

The dough can be made ahead of time and kept in the freezer for up to 3 months. I suggest you divide the dough into smaller packages and just thaw one at the time when you want to make a few cookies.

Here is a short video on how to make them.

Download the recipe PDF by clicking here. No need to enter email, it is an automatic download.

Mexican Wedding Cookies / Pan de Polvo

Mexican Wedding Cookies Recipe – Pan de Polvo (5)

These are the Mexican shortbread cookies.

  • 2.2 lbs All purpose flour
  • 1.5 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • 1.1 lb vegetable shortening (about 1 lb)
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 1 pinch Salt
  • 1 tbsp Baking Powder
  • 2-3 tbsp milk

Sugar coating

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 Tbsp Cinnamon powder
  1. In a bowl cream the vegetable shortening and the sugar.

  2. Add the salt, baking powder cinnamon and vanilla extract. Scrape the sides of the bowl and mix together.

  3. Mix in the eggs.

  4. Add the flour to form the dough.

  5. * If you are adding pecan pieces, add them now.

  6. Add milk. Start by adding 2 tbsp. and add more as needed until you can form little balls.

  7. Make round by using a tablespoon scooper and form them between your hands.

  8. Place them in a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet and bake at 350 F for 17 minutes.

  9. Once baked get them out of the oven and toss them in the sugar-cinnamon mix while hot. Place in a plate to let them cool completely.

  10. *If using powdered sugar, let them cool down completely before tossing them in the sugar.

Mexican Wedding Cookies Recipe – Pan de Polvo (2024)

FAQs

Why are my Mexican wedding cookies falling apart? ›

However, if your cookies are too crumbly, it may be because the butter was too cold. It's important to bring the butter to room temperature before adding it to this recipe. If it's too cold, it won't be able to bind the sugar, flour and nuts correctly, resulting in a cookie dough that is too crumbly.

What are Mexican wedding cookies made of? ›

At their most basic, Mexican wedding cookies consist of flour, butter, finely chopped nuts, confectioner's sugar, and vanilla extract.

What is the difference between Italian and Mexican wedding cookies? ›

Italian wedding cookies typically contain almonds or hazelnuts and are flavored with almond extract, vanilla extracts and spices like cinnamon or anise. Mexican wedding cookies, on the other hand, use a combination of ground nuts such as pecans and walnuts, as well as butter, sugar and sometimes chocolate chips.

How many calories does pan de polvo have? ›

Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
Calories264
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 16.2g21%
Cholesterol 8.8mg3%
5 more rows
Oct 28, 2017

How do you keep wedding cookies from spreading? ›

Here are some helpful tips to prevent cookies from spreading:
  1. Don't Overbeat the Batter.
  2. Use Ungreased Baking Sheets.
  3. Measure Ingredients Properly.
  4. Check Your Fat.
  5. Check Your Oven Temperature.
Dec 24, 2005

Why is it called wedding cookies? ›

Food historians have noted that during the Cold War, Russian tea cakes started disappearing from American cookbooks, and wedding cookies began to appear. It could be a coincidence, but no one knows for sure," Parra explains. Most assume the cookie's name is due to its occasional appearance at some Mexican weddings.

What is cowboy cookies made of? ›

What's in a Cowboy Cookie? A cowboy cookie is basically a souped-up oatmeal cookie with chocolate chips, roasted pecans, and sweetened flake coconut. Former First Lady Laura Bush's recipe included one tablespoon of cinnamon, a unique addition and not typically included.

What are Mexican Maria cookies? ›

Marie biscuits are thin, dry, round, slightly-sweet cookies. Also called Maria cookies, or galletas María in Spanish, they are well-known in many parts of the world. Ubiquitous in Latin America, they're a favorite packaged food found in virtually all Mexican households.

How many cookies should you order for a wedding? ›

The general rule of thumb suggests calculating 2-3 cookies per person if other desserts are available. If cookies are the primary sweet treat, consider increasing the count to 4-6 per person.

What are the traditional Mexican wedding foods? ›

Mexican wedding receptions typically include traditional Mexican foods like:
  • Tacos.
  • Chiles rellenos.
  • Pork carnitas.
  • Enchiladas mole.
  • Roast pig.
  • Variety of Mexican sauces.

Why did my Italian wedding cookies flatten? ›

If you don't refrigerate, they will come out flatter, more like a traditional drop cookie. Still good, but I love how they bake up if you refrigerate the dough. I find it easiest to make the dough the day before and they bake it up the next day or so.

How much does pan de polvo sell for? ›

Pan de polvo cookies anytime for all occasions.. $2.50. a dozen or $60 for a whole batch..

What do Mexican shortbread cookies taste like? ›

Sort of like those little snowball cookies people make around holidays, but without the distracting nut pieces, and with fine sugar/cinnamon granules instead of the messier powdered sugar coating. Delicious, low calorie, vegan ! These cookies taste so good ! They make a great dessert that is low calorie and vegan.

How many calories are in Mexican shortbread cookies? ›

Mexican Shortbread Cookies 4 servings per container. Serving size 5 cookies (30g) Calories: 150, Total Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 120g, Total Carbohydrate: 1…

Why did my cookies crumble apart? ›

If you overmix the dough, the cookies will be dry and crumbly. The best way to fix this is to add more liquid to the dough. This can be done by adding milk, water, or even melted butter. You may also need to add more flour to the dough if it is too wet.

Why won't my cookies stay together? ›

Excess Sugar and Fat

Measuring is key in baking. If your cookie contains excess sugar or fat, it will spread while baking. If your first batch of cookies spreads, try adding a few tablespoons of flour to help thicken the remaining dough.

How do you keep cookies from breaking? ›

Plastic wrap each cookie. For added protection against bumps and bangs, take individually wrapped cookies and double wrap them back-to-back. Use an airtight container for packing the cookies. Line the bottom of the container with a cushioning material, such as bubble wrap or Kraft paper.

Why are my cookies splitting? ›

The cracks in crinkle cookies or molasses cookies occur when the top of the cookie dries out before the interior has set. The means that as the cookie expands, it starts to crack the dry surface.

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