These 20-minute gluten-free Mexican wedding cookies are a traditional cookie that are absolutely delicious and only take a few minutes to make. They are simple, yummy, and full of powdery white sugar.

Our cookies have a nutty flavor and a melt-in-your-mouth texture that will have you coming back for more. They are buttery and so delicious!
Why these are just like you remember
You may know this recipe as Mexican wedding cookies. But they are known by many different names such as meltaways, Russian tea cookies, Russian tea cakes, Italian wedding cookies, snowball cookies, or even Mexican wedding cakes. Whatever you call them, they are a delicious treat that are beloved by many.
If you love these for the holidays, you will also love our Christmas Crumbl cookies gluten free. The best part about these gluten-free Mexican wedding cookies is that they are also pretty simple to make. The recipe only requires a handful of ingredients and has a quick cook time.
They are great at parties and gatherings because they look so festive and make a pretty holiday cookie just like our gluten free candy cane cookies and our gluten free fruitcake cookies, these are always going to be a win that you can count on along with our Christmas popcorn.
When it is Christmas time, I like to add extra powdered sugar for a freshly fallen snow look. If you are looking for more recipes to add to your Christmas dessert table, try out the CUTEST gluten free Christmas cookies or gluten free Christmas desserts like our Reindeer Cookies or these cute Gluten-Free Gingerbread Men.
WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE THEM
When I tell you this recipe is simple, I really mean it. There is a short ingredient list and they can be made in 20 minutes. So, you can make these delicious cookies in a pinch!
GLUTEN-FREE ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR
- Finding the perfect gluten-free flour for baking is always tricky. Luckily for you, I have found the Better Batter brand. Their flour is perfect for gluten-free baking and is a great gluten-free flour blend.
POWDERED SUGAR
- Better Batter also offers a super yummy powder sugar. One of the key ingredients to the classic cookie is powdered sugar. It creates the snowball look and makes it perfect for Christmas cookie trays.
GLUTEN-FREE VANILLA OR ALMOND EXTRACT (Optional)
- Gluten-free snowball cookies are one of my favorite cookies to make each year. Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved the delicately sweet flavors of these cookies. The almonds add a great nuttiness that gives them even more depth of flavor kind of like the almond flour does in our gluten free sugar cookies or gluten free linzer cookies. It also enhances the nutty flavor of the pecans. Vanilla extract is also delicious, especially if there is an allergy. It all comes down to personal preference.
PECANS
- I really enjoy the nutty flavors the pecans give in this Mexican wedding cookie recipe. The cookies can be made without the pecans if there is an allergy. They are perfect either way.

HOW TO MAKE THE COOKIES
- Preheat the oven to 350F
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well
- Roll into little balls of dough in your hands and place on a cookie sheet
- Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes
Pro Tip #1: Set your cookies on a wire cooling rack for faster cooling.
Pro Tip #2: Overworking the cookie dough can make your cookies fall flat. When using the paddle attachment while mixing the dough, do not overmix. Also, roll the dough into small balls of dough quickly.

Need an EASY and delicious breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert?
Take a look at my Sheet Pan Meals and More!
NEED MORE GOODNESS? Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter for great recipes, entertaining ideas and more!
20-Minute Gluten-Free Mexican Wedding Cookies

Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon gluten-free vanilla extract
- 2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 1 cup walnuts or pecans chopped
- ⅓ cup additional powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°
- In a medium bowl, cream the butter with ½ cup powdered sugar
- Add the vanilla extract to the butter mixture until just blended
- Add the flour and nuts and mix to combine
- Refrigerate dough for 1 hour
- Roll into 1-inch balls and place them 2 inches apart on an uncreased cookie sheet
- Bake at 350° for 10 minutes (NOT on the bottom rack or they could flatten)
- Roll in remaining powdered sugar while still warm then again once cooled
Notes
Can you freeze them?
Absolutely! After you bake and roll them in powdered sugar, you can freeze them in an airtight storage container or plastic bag. Make sure to use parchment paper to separate the layers, as you do not want them to stick together and cause a mess when you break them out for a treat. They can last up to two months in the freezer. When you pull them out of the freezer, allow them to thaw to room temperature. You also may want to re-roll them in powdered sugar for aesthetics.How to store leftovers
To store the leftover gluten-free Mexican wedding cookies, place them in an airtight container, separated by parchment paper. They can last up to ten to fourteen days in an airtight container.Nutrition
This post was originally posted on December 12, 2016 it has since been updated with new photos and information.







Kat/Harold says
I plan to make to make this recipe for Christmas, but will add a little chocolate heart to inside of the cookie ball.
Dana Coughlin says
I love making these cookies but I always called them Mexican Wedding cakes; fudge and rosettes.
kathryn says
gingerbread, the spices smell like the holidays
Chandice says
I totally agree, they always make me feel nostalgic. 🙂
Casey the College Celiac says
I love baking pumpkin and sugar cookies! Such festive flavors and shapes 🙂
Kately says
Peppermint chocolate cookies are delicious and perfect for Christmas.
Michelle P says
Gluten free chocolate chip with cherries cookies. Yum.
Mi Webber says
I like making oatmeal raisin all year round.
Chandice says
Yum, yes me too!
Sarah V. says
I love making candy cane cookies, "magic" cookie bars, and sugar cookies!
Paula says
I always make snowball cookies, gingerbread men, and sugar cookies.
Diana R. says
Gingerbread men cookies are my favorite especially when made with my little one.
Raymond says
Gingerbread is one of my favorite holiday cookies as I really like the spice and sweetness combination.
Karol says
Lemon shortbread cookies...so refreshing and festive. I love cookies in general and would love to learn to bake more of them. Since being gf, I have a hard time getting the cookies to come out right. They often burn or don't feel hardened enough, etc...would love tips on gf baking!
Susan Blommer says
Spritz cookies because of the memories of making them with my mom. Fun different shapes and decorations. I like to share and give them to friends and family.
Stefanie says
I enjoy baking cookies and fudge during the holidays and giving baked treats to my friends.
Chandice says
Fudge is so yummy and reminds me of my mother in law 🙂
Georgiana says
We enjoy making gingerbread cookies and decorating gingerbread houses!
Chandice says
Gingerbread is the greatest holiday flavor!
Missy Mutchnik says
Sugar cookies are fun because they bring out the kid in everyone!
Chandice says
I couldn't agree more Missy, they are my fave!!
Kim Ledford-Burley says
i like making peanut butter chocolate buckeyes
Chandice says
Oh yum, those are great!
Estella Csonka says
Grasshopper bars... made with avocado, coconut oil, shredded coconut, local raw unfiltered honey & cocoa powder. Deeelicious yet healthy as scat! 😉
Chandice says
Wow, that sounds fantastic!
Todd Bliss says
I love to bake sugar cookies and snickerdoodles
Chandice says
Yum, snickerdoodles!
Renata says
I love making cut-out Christmas sugar cookies and decorating them up with colored icing and sprinkles too!
Chandice says
I absolutely love doing that too!