Thursday, January 5, 2012

Snow Ball Cookies (a.k.a. Mexican Wedding Cookies)

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I call these Snow Ball Cookies because that’s what my little boy likes to call them.  When I was taking pictures for this post, he happily exclaimed, “Wow, snow balls!”  Smile After he tasted one, he kept asking for more snow balls.  Of course, my Baby Girl got her fair shares as well.

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By now, you probably have heard the other dozen names that these cookies also referred to. Such as Mexican Wedding Cookies, Italian Wedding cookies, Italian Tea Cakes, Russian Tea Cakes, so on and so forth.  I thought I had many nick names when I was young. I can’t believe my record got beat by some cookies! LOL…Mind you, these are not just any cookies. These are some buttery, melt in my mouth, and highly addictive cookies.  I love the crunch and nutty flavor from the chopped pecans in them.  Another big plus of these cookies? They are super simple to prepare and your kids would probably want to help out in rolling the dough.  And it’s okay to let them taste the dough, it’s eggless. Winking smile   

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I've packaged these Snow Ball Cookies during the holiday to share with my friends and family as they are very popular during the holiday season.  But I’ve already made more batches afterwards because they are simply amazing.  After you've tried them, you would want to make them all year round too, and not just during the Holidays.

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Snow Ball Cookies: (Printable Recipe)
Makes about 48 Cookies

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar, divided
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup pecans, toasted and finely chopped

In the bowl of the stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment (or with a hand held mixer), beat butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and beat until well incorporated. Turn mixer to low, beat in flour and pecans, mix until just combined. Divide dough in half, form each into a flat disk and wrap with plastic wrap. Chill the dough in refrigerator until cold, about 30 minutes to an hour.

Preheat oven to 325°F. With a small/mini ice cream scoop, scoop dough by one tablespoonful and roll in between palms into balls. Arrange dough balls on baking sheet lined with silpat or parchment paper spacing 1/2 inch apart. Bake until golden brown on bottom and pale golden on top, about 15 to 18 minutes.

Cool cookies on baking sheet for a few minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely. Place remaining 1/2 cup powdered sugar in a shallow dish; gently roll completely cooled cookies in powdered sugar to coat.






29 comments:

  1. It must be real yummy with those pecans in it.

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  2. I'm just drinking tea and I would love to have these cookies right now :))

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  3. I LOVE these. Surprisingly I have never made them. Yours look amazing.

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  4. I haven't made these in a few years. Thanks for the reminder. They're so yummy.

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  5. I love your version using pecan nuts. I definitely want to try this for sure.

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  6. Hello girl?

    Now, it's 00.01 midnight! But I can't stop browsing your blog. The more I browse, the more I drool.

    The latest post rocks and I absolutely try this in the morning and I will post the outcome.

    Lastly, your teaset is a 2die4 thing. Where did you purchased them?

    Hope you had a great NY and have a blessed 2012 to come.

    Kampai & arigato...
    /chie

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  7. @ Kampai & Arigato/chie: Thank you sooo much for stopping by and browsing. Happy New Year to you and your family as well. I'm glad you like my blog and my creations. Yeah, I love this tea-set. I got them from One Kings Lane and here's their link for your reference.

    https://www.onekingslane.com/invite/amytong5

    You'll get $15 credit (applies to order over $30) to spend when you sign up through my link above. :) I love their products. They have different items on sale everyday. Have fun shopping.

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  8. These are one of my favorite cookies of all time. Great photos!
    I've made them before with pecans AND toffee--so good! But I do love the "original" best.

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  9. Bientôt l'heure du thé, je songe à ce délicieux plateau gourmand que tu nous proposes
    Je te souhaite un agréable WE

    Valérie.

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  10. I make these every year at Christmas, just as my mother did when I was littl. We called them Russian Teacakes. Yours are beautiful on the pink dishes. Happy Pink Saturday! ~Marti

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  11. Oh this are great, I'll try them. Thanks for the recipe. I have a giveaway for my year of blogging at Pink Saturday and I'll love you to enter. Just visit me and comment on the giveaway, that's it!
    FABBY

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  12. One of my very favorites. And your photos and presentation are just lovely!

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  13. @Katrina: yum...toffee and pecans sounds wonderful. I'm going to try your version next time.

    @Valérie: Merci beaucoup! J'espère que vous aimerez la recette. Avoir un fabuleux week-end!

    Marti McClure: Thanks. Yeah, these little treat got so many names. :)

    @Fabby's Living: Thanks for your invitation to your giveaway. I'm going to check it out right after this.

    @Betsy: Thank you for visiting and leaving your sweet comment.

    Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! :)

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  14. The name snow ball cookies is just perfect. I love how you presented these cookies here. You have very unique cup and plate set and it's perfect to serve tea and cookies!

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  15. Oh the joy of visiting blogs on weekend, everything you see is gorgeous and sweet. I love it!

    Come see my PINK, when you get a chance. Have a great weekend!

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  16. They look delicious! A friend of mine used to make something similar for us at Christmas :) That pink teacup is SO pretty by the way :)
    Jennelise

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  17. Hi Amy! Thanks for adding these cookies to my blog hop! I wish I could have a couple of them right now with a cup of coffee! :)

    Love your photos!

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  18. @Nami: Thank you. Yeah, I love this teacup set.

    @chubskulit: Thanks for stopping by and leaving your sweet comment. Will hop over to your blog right after this.

    @Jennelise: Thank you. Oh yeah. These cookies are amazing. Easy to pack up as well.

    @Jane: Thank you for hosting. Always my pleasure to share my recipes at your party.

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  19. These are some of my favorite cookies- I used to love to make them every Christmas. Your picture looks so ethereal! I love it!

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  20. At my house we called them "Exploding Cookies" because of the way they just sort of pop when you bite into them. They're a classic! :)

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  21. And we called them Sand Tarts. My recipe is similar to yours, but calls for less powdered sugar and it has salt. I have made them with almonds and pistachios as well as pecans. Both are good, but pecans are the best. You can see my recipe at http://www.cookingwithoutanet.com/2009/08/baking-class-sand-tarts.html.

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  22. Indeed, Italian Wedding Cookies is what i call mine, but I no longer have little ones. Snowballs is a perfect name and likewise, love the pecans!

    Dave

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  23. these are the best cookies! I can't wait to try your recipe...I've never made them myself I always buy them around Christmas time.

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  24. Those snow ball cookies are adorable, Amy! Sounds like pecan sandies with powdered sugar!

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  25. Great lookin littlge treats! Perfect with a cup of hot tea!

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  26. The cookies look lovely! Looking forward to trying them!

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