Vegan Snowball Cookies (Italian Wedding Cookies Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Mexican wedding cookies and Italian 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.

When making this cookie, it's important to refrigerate them for at least an hour in order for the cookie to bake in its characteristic tall shape. 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.

Snowball Cookie Tips

If your cookies go flat, check the oven temperature. An oven temperature that's too low can result in your cookies spreading out more. Butter that's too soft or melted can also lead to flat cookies.

Some even refer to them as Russian tea cookies. Yet, speculation indicates that in the 1950s, the name changed to Mexican wedding cake or cookies in the U.S. to diverge from any Cold War context due to the strained relations with Russia at the time.

While you may not find rainbow cookies in Italy, it is authentically an Italian American creation. In the early 1900s, the recipe was created by Italian immigrants as a way to honor their country of origin.

The answer requires a bit of context: in Italy, all cookies are called "biscotti" - it's the direct translation of the word "cookies".

Try using baking powder instead of baking soda. Baking soda encourages spreading while baking powder puffs the cookies up. If your recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of baking soda, you would use 3 to 4 teaspoons of baking powder. Caution: This could result in an unwanted flavor shift.

Using too much butter in your dough can lead to flat and greasy cookies. As previously noted, baking is a science, and it is essential to closely follow recipe measurements to ensure the best results.

Use a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Coating your baking sheet with nonstick spray or butter creates an overly greasy foundation, causing the cookies to spread. I always recommend a silicone baking mat because they grip onto the bottom of your cookie dough, preventing the cookies from spreading too much.

What is the origin of snowball cookies? ›

The origin for pecan snowball cookies is unknown. Beloved in many parts of the world, these cookies may have traveled to the U.S. by way of immigrants from Eastern Europe or Mexico. Since the 20th century, they've become part of traditional American offerings for weddings and holidays, including Christmas and Easter.

Why are my snowball cookies falling apart? They crumble too much and fall apart when they don't have enough moisture which comes from the butter. They are crumbly cookies, make no mistake about that.

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.

Are Russian Tea Cakes the same as wedding cookies? Yes, Russian tea cakes, Mexican wedding cookies, Polvorones, snowballs–they're all basically the same thing.

Whether you call them Mexican wedding cookies, snowball cookies, Russian tea cakes, or polvorones, one thing is certain: they are a total classic! And for good reason! Their crumbly, shortbread-like texture and their buttery, toasty, nutty flavor are completely irresistible.

Our Classic Italian assortment is a great way to sample of our traditional sweets. This tray includes Cranberry Almond Biscotti, Amaretto Biscotti with Almonds, Chocolate Almond Macaroons and Pignoli Cookies.

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

Mexican wedding cookies were introduced by the Spanish, as they originated in Europe and still exist in many other countries today. The cookies were prepared at many California rancho weddings in the 1800s.