Polvorones (Mexican Wedding Cookies)

When I was about 13 or 14 years old, my grandmother Chawis showed me how to make polvorones.  Polvorones, are what people in the U.S. refer to as Mexican wedding cookies.   The interesting thing is that I have never been to a wedding where these cookies were served.  I really do not think the wedding cookie was really well thought out.  Who, in their right mind, wants to eat powdered sugar when wearing your finest threads?  Believe me, when you go to a Mexican wedding, not only does it last 2 days, it is also a competition of who wore it best.  It is funny how every country has an adaptation of this cookie and they all claim it as theirs, “Italian wedding cookies”, “Polish wedding cookies” you get my point.

Anyway, back to my story.  The first time my grandmother made them, I was in love!  I remember asking my grandmother to show me how to make them.  She told me it was very easy to remember, two sticks butter 2 cups flour.  I quickly learned and made them often, especially during the holidays.  I used to place them in my mom’s crystal covered bowls throughout the house.  Over the years, I have made only one change, instead of two sticks of butter I now use ½ cup butter ½ cup shortening because it makes them more crumbly.  You can always only use butter, you choose.  Make them both ways and see which you like best.

2 cups all purpose flour

1/8 tsp salt

½ cup unsalted butter cut into chunks

½ cup of vegetable shortening

½ cup chopped pecans

1 egg

¾ cup confectioner’s sugar

Confectioner’s (powdered) sugar for dusting

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In a large mixing bowl, mix the flour and salt.  Add the butter and shortening and mix with your hands until it looks like coarse meal and you will still see the little chunks of butter or shortening throughout.  In a food processor, chop the pecans.  Once the pecans are chopped, add the powdered sugar and pulse a couple of times until mixed.

Add the pecans and sugar mixture to the dough, and mix it through with your hands.  Now you can add the egg and combine using your hands.  The dough will begin to form and you will start to feel it soft, pliable, and able to come together.  Remember, the more you knead, the tougher the dough becomes and the cookies will not fall apart so easily.  You want it to come together.

Use a buttered cookie sheet or a butter flavor cooking spray.  With your hands, form the cookies into 1-inch balls.  Place them about an inch apart and bake for 15 minutes or until they turn a light golden color.  Dust the cookies with the extra powdered sugar and you are done!  Tip: I use a bowl with sugar and toss the cookies in the sugar, easier than dusting.  Enjoy