Christmas Cookie Countdown and Mexican Wedding Cookie Recipe : Sifting Focus (2024)

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What is the story behind Mexican wedding cookies? ›

History of Mexican Wedding Cookies

As Spanish colonizers brought these recipes to Mexico, they seamlessly integrated into the local culinary landscape. The cookie's association with weddings stems from its sweet symbolism of happiness, unity, and the joyful occasions surrounding matrimony.

You'll find that most of your favorite Christmas cookie recipes can be made anywhere from a month to six months before the 25th of December. (Consult this handy how-to guide to the matter.) Generally, most recipes will be best if baked and then frozen.

If properly frozen, you can freeze unfrosted cookies for up to 12 months. If cookies are frosted, they can be stored frozen for up to three months.

The earliest examples of Christmas cookies in the United States were brought by the Dutch in the early 17th century. Due to a wide range of cheap imported products from Germany between 1871 and 1906 following a change to importation laws, cookie cutters became available in American markets.

Parents wanted to encourage generosity in their children particularly during the harsh times of the depression. But the tradition quickly stuck and even today, most homes around the world that celebrate Christmas put out cookies for him and his reindeer.

Shortbread and spritz cookies are longer-lasting cookies, which means they are perfect for holidays when there is some competition on the table. After all, Christmas in many homes is celebrated with a variety of dishes and sweet treats.

How do you store cookies to stay crisp? To keep crispy cookies crisp, you need to keep them away from moisture. Always store different types of cookies separately—soft cookies can cause crispy cookies to soften due to their extra moisture. Place crispy cookies in an airtight container, but don't completely seal it.

Leaving cookies out overnight poses certain risks, primarily related to food safety and quality. Cookies left out overnight are at risk of microbial contamination, especially if they contain perishable ingredients like eggs or dairy.

The USDA website says that generally, cookies can be stored at room temperature for two to three weeks or refrigerated for two months. If you find yourself with more cookies than you can eat in that time frame, consider putting the baked cookies in a sealed container in the freezer.

Information. Bakery or homemade cookies can be stored at room temperature two to three weeks or two months in the refrigerator. Cookies retain their quality when stored in the freezer for eight to 12 months. Moist bars, such as cheesecake and lemon bars, can be refrigerated for seven days.

How do you check if cookies are done without a toothpick? ›

We know you've got a knife in your kitchen already, which is one reason it's our favorite alternative to toothpicks, but there are additional options. Thin bamboo skewers. Wooden skewers you might use for grilling are a little thicker than toothpicks, but they'll work just fine for a cake test.

Curious how long cookies last at room temperature? Most homemade cookies will maintain their taste and texture for up to 3 days. If you leave them out for too long, the cookies begin to harden or dry out. To prevent cookies from becoming stale, cover them with plastic wrap or keep in an airtight container.

What happens if you eat slightly undercooked cookies? Undercooked cookies are still edible, don't toss them! Some people prefer chocolate chip cookies underdone, but you can't know for sure that the egg has fully cooked (although that wouldn't bother me one bit unless the source was shaky).

Food historians have noted that during the Cold War, Russian tea cakes started disappearing from American cookbooks, and wedding cookies began to appear. It could be a coincidence, but no one knows for sure," Parra explains. Most assume the cookie's name is due to its occasional appearance at some Mexican weddings.

Spanish convents during the Middle Ages also contributed to the evolution of polvorones. Nuns, apart from their spiritual duties, were culinary custodians, passing down numerous recipes. The combination of almonds, sugar, and confectionery, which lies at the heart of polvorones, can be attributed to them.

The lazo ceremony: Binding of the couple

The lazo, typically blessed by a priest, remains draped over the couple as they take their vows, serving as a visual representation of their bond and commitment to support, love, and respect each other in their journey ahead.

They likely originated among European immigrants during the Great Depression when couples could not afford a wedding cake. Close friends and family would step in to bake cookies instead. Many of the cookies were, and are, made from scratch using favorite family recipes.