Those interested to learn how to make Mexican wedding cake can try this easy recipe with ingredients that are also affordable. We’ve also included everything you need to know about Mexican wedding cakes and why they are so-called.
And speaking of cakes, feel free to browse our blog for different guides and recipes. Here’s how to make a naked wedding cake, for example, if you want something unique for your wedding cake table.
Easiest Way On How To Make Mexican Wedding Cake
Mexican wedding cake ingredients
It’s easy to learn how to make these delicious treats with this beginner-friendly Mexican wedding cakes recipe. Please prepare the following ingredients to get started and make four dozens of Mexican wedding cakes:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup softened butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup coarsely ground toasted pecans
Directions for making a Mexican wedding cake recipe
- To start the Mexican wedding cake, beat butter until fluffy
- Add half a cup of powdered sugar and vanilla into the smooth butter until blended well
- Beat in flour and add the pecans
- Take out the dough and divide in half
- Shape each half into a ball and wrap it in plastic individually for chilling
- After half an hour, the Mexican wedding cake dough should be ready for baking
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare the powdered sugar and cinnamon to cover each Mexican wedding cake
- Mix the remaining sugar and cinnamon and set aside
- Uncover one chilled cake dough and take two teaspoons between your palms
- Roll the cake into balls and place on a baking sheet
- Continue making cake balls with half an inch of space between them on the sheet
- Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until slightly golden
- Cool the Mexican wedding cakes for 5 minutes and while still warm, toss them in the cinnamon sugar until completely coated
- Cool the Mexican wedding cakes thoroughly and finish the rest of the dough
- Store in an airtight container, and you can make the Mexican wedding cakes as early as two days before needed
- Serve by sifting some cinnamon sugar on top of the cookies
Why Do They Call Them Mexican Wedding Cakes?
As you just learned how to make Mexican wedding cake, you probably noticed that they are essentially cookies and not your typical iced soft layered wedding cake. Why are they called wedding cakes to begin with?
Do you eat Mexican wedding cake at a Mexican wedding?
The misleading names of Mexican wedding cakes have no origins that can be traced. However, some references pointed out that Mexican wedding cookies are traditionally served at wedding in Mexico.
However, some also mentioned these cookies being popularly eaten during winter and Christmas. Mexican wedding cakes or cookies appear at the dessert bar but don’t replace a traditional wedding cake at a Mexican wedding reception.
Other names
You shouldn’t also be confused if they have similarities with other wedding cookies. For example, Mexican wedding cakes are sometimes called Swedish wedding cookies, snowballs, or butterballs.
Mexican Wedding Cakes History
According to the Institute of Culinary Education, Mexican wedding cakes are buttery cookies that originated outside of Mexico. Instead, they can be traced back to Arabic origins because of the ingredients like nuts, butter, and sugar.
Some also refer to Mexican wedding cakes as Russian tea cookies. However, it was speculated that the name changed to Mexican wedding cake due to the strained relations of the USA with Russia back in the 1950s.
What Is The Difference Between Mexican Wedding Cakes And Russian Tea Cakes?
A Mexican wedding cake is sometimes called Russian tea cakes because the cookies have similar ingredients and processes to make. However, the strained relationship between US and Russia during the Cold War caused the name change.
Both cookies and teacakes use flour, nuts, butter, and sugar. They are formed into balls or crescent moons, and variations to the recipe are only from the type of nuts used.
Some other names for these cookies include butterballs, polvornes, Danish almond cookies, Napoleon hats, Finnish butter strips, Swedish teacakes, pecan sandies, and moldy mice. They vary worldwide, so it’s impossible to determine the one true source of the recipe.
Are you planning on having a wedding cookie bar? Here’s how to display cookies at a wedding for an eye-catching dessert station at the reception.
What Color Is A Mexican Wedding Cake?
Mexican wedding cakes look like buttery crescent cookies to white balls covered in sugar. And as for the traditional cake served at a Mexican wedding, it’s a tiered white cake that serves as the perfect backdrop for bright colors and patterns.
What Is The Best Type Of Cake For A Wedding?
You can never go wrong with a classic white vanilla cake for a wedding. It’s not too sweet, but it would satisfy sweet lovers at a wedding.
But of course, nowadays, couples are experimenting with cakes for their wedding. So, for example, you can have anywhere from lemon, chocolate, or even red velvet.
Conclusion
And that’s it! You just learned how to make Mexican wedding cake with an easy recipe.
You’ll prepare the cookie dough and shape them into balls rolled in cinnamon sugar. There can be variations in the recipe and shape, so feel free to experiment with various Mexican wedding cookie versions.