How to Make Crumbly Mexican Polvorosas Cookies

Simple Summary

Polvorosas are delightful Mexican shortbread cookies known for their crumbly texture and melt-in-your-mouth goodness. This recipe combines traditional polvorosas with extra-crumbly cookies for a delicious twist on the classic treat.

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Servings: 24 cookies
• Difficulty: Intermediate

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus extra for dusting
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.

3. Add the vanilla extract and mix well.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, and salt.

5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined.

6. If using, fold in the chopped pecans.

7. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.

8. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

9. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes.

10. While still warm, gently roll each cookie in additional powdered sugar.

11. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

12. Once cooled, dust the cookies with more powdered sugar for an extra festive touch.

Chef's Notes

• For extra crumbly cookies, replace 1/4 cup of the all-purpose flour with cornstarch.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
• To enhance the flavor, try using browned butter instead of regular softened butter.
• For a citrusy twist, add 1 teaspoon of orange or lemon zest to the dough.
• Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can lead to tough cookies.

Nutritional Info

Per cookie (approximate): 120 calories, 8g fat, 12g carbohydrates, 1g protein. These cookies are a good source of energy and contain healthy fats from the butter and optional pecans. They also provide small amounts of calcium and iron from the flour.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve these cookies with a glass of cold milk or a cup of Mexican hot chocolate for a traditional pairing.
• Present on a decorative platter dusted with powdered sugar for a beautiful dessert display.
• Package in colorful tins or boxes for homemade holiday gifts.
• Enjoy as an afternoon snack with coffee or tea.
• Crumble over vanilla ice cream for a delicious dessert topping.