How to make ‘polvorones’ AKA Mexican wedding cookies

(Published in the Pacific Pearl magazine June 2025)
By Maaike Hoekstra

It’s funny how you can get lost in translation as a foodie. Every region in Mexico has their own version of Polvorones, which owe their name to the word polvo (dust). However many travelers from the US would refer to them as Mexican wedding cookies and I never understood what they meant. It turns out that it is the same thing! You can find Polvorones as popular treat at every Panaderia (bakery) or market throughout Mexico.
Did you know that these crumbly cookies are originally from the Moorish south of Spain? Historians say that the recipe migrated to Mexico together with the Spanish conquistadores in the 16th century. This recipe is flavored with orange, but you can also use chopped nuts (walnuts, pecan, hazelnut or almond) or cinnamon. You can use lard instead of butter and vegetable shortening.

INGREDIENTS:
125 grams (4.5 oz) butter
125 grams (4.5 oz) vegetable shortening
125 grams (4.5 oz) sugar
2 egg yolks
4 tbsp orange juice
Grated peel of 2 large oranges
500 grams (18 oz) flour
Icing sugar

PREPARATION:
Preheat the oven at 200°C (392°F). In a large bowl whisk the butter until creamy. Slowly add the sugar until it has been incorporated well and add the egg yolks, orange juice and orange peel. Then using a spatula, fold in the flour a little at a time until you get a dough.
On a floured surface roll out the dough with a rolling pin until 2 cm (3/4 inch) thickness. Cut out circles of 6 cm (2.5 inch) and place them onto a greased baking tray. Roll out the remaining dough and cut more circles until the dough is finished.
Bake the cookies for 25 minutes in the oven or until the rims are slightly browned. Leave to cool down on a rack. Place on a serving dish and sprinkle icing sugar on top.
Store in an airtight container.

FOR 36 COOKIES

If you’re ready to learn more about Mazatlan’s culinary scene, make sure to check out www.flavorteller.com and save your seats for one of the Flavor Teller food tours.