She Strengthens

A Sweet Deception: The Surprising History of Mexican Wedding Cakes

From Russia with Love… or Not

In the midst of the Cold War, hosting a gathering that featured Russian tea cakes became a social faux pas. It was as if serving these sweet treats was an act of disloyalty to the United States. But fear not, dear entertainers! A new star emerged in the world of baked goods: the Mexican wedding cake. This buttery, crumbly cookie quickly became the go-to alternative, and its popularity endures to this day.

A Game-Changing Tip

Before you begin, take note: mincing pistachios by hand can be a tedious task. To avoid the frustration, simply pulse the nuts in a food processor until they reach the desired size. Just be cautious not to overprocess, lest you end up with pistachio paste!

The Recipe

Yield: 46 cookies
Difficulty: Easy
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Active Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup shelled, unsalted roasted pistachios, minced
• 2 teaspoons freshly grated orange zest
• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

The Process

1. Preheat and Prepare
   Heat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Creamy Beginnings
   Combine butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
3. Add the Extras
   Add pistachios, orange zest, salt, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix until well incorporated.
4. Flour Power
   Add flour and mix just until incorporated, about 30 seconds. Be careful not to overmix!
5. Shape and Bake
   Shape dough into tablespoon-size balls and place 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake until bottoms begin to brown, about 15 minutes.
6. Sugar Coating
   Pour remaining 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar into a medium bowl. Working with 5 or 6 cookies at a time, place warm cookies in the powdered sugar, gently turning to coat. Let cool and recoat if desired.

The Result

These Mexican wedding cakes are sure to impress at your next gathering. With their buttery flavor and crunchy texture, they’re the perfect treat to serve alongside your favorite cocktail. So go ahead, give them a try, and savor the sweet taste of deception!