8 Best Traditional Mexican Christmas Cookies and Sweet Treats

Mexican Christmas cookies are buttery, crumbly and often covered in powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar.

You’ll find them at panaderías (Mexican bakeries) all December, and on holiday tables from Nochebuena (Chrismas Eve) to Three Kings Day.

Here are my 6 favorite traditional Mexican Christmas cookies — plus 2 festive fried treats popular at Mexican Christmas dinners — each with a full recipe.

1. Mexican Wedding Cookies

These little snowball cookies are made with butter, flour and chopped nuts, then rolled in powdered sugar.

They melt in your mouth, which is why they’re a Christmas cookie-tray classic.

Get the recipe: Mexican Wedding Cookies

2. Polvorones

Polvorones get their name from the Spanish word polvo, or “dust,” because they’re so crumbly.

These shortbread-style cookies are a staple at Mexican bakeries during the holidays.

Get the recipe: Traditional Mexican Polvorones

3. Pink Mexican Cookies (Polvorones Rosas)

These bright pink cookies are one of the most recognizable treats in any Mexican panadería.

Their sweet, sugary topping makes them a hit with kids at Christmas parties.

Get the recipe: Pink Mexican Cookies

4. Hojarascas

Hojarascas are Mexican tender cookies coated in cinnamon sugar, making them the perfect Christmas sweet treat.

Get the recipe: Traditional Hojarascas

5. Gingerbread Pig Cookies (Marranitos)

Marranitos, which means “little pigs,” are soft, pig-shaped cookies sweetened with piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar).

They’re Mexico’s answer to gingerbread, and a favorite with coffee de olla (Mexican coffee) or chuampurrado (Mexican hot chocolate).

Get the recipe: Mexican Gingerbread Pig Cookies

6. Cocadas (Mexican Coconut Cookies)

Cocadas are chewy, golden coconut treats with crisp edges.

They’re easy to make, and they add a tropical twist to any Christmas cookie plate.

Get the recipe: Mexican Coconut Cookies (Cocadas)

7. Buñuelos

Buñuelos are thin, crispy fried fritters, a must at Mexican posadas and Christmas parties.

Get the recipe: Mexican Buñuelos

8. Buñuelos de Viento

These lacy, flower-shaped fritters are made with a special iron mold and dusted with sugar.

Get the recipe: Buñuelos de Viento

When Do Mexicans Eat Christmas Cookies?

Mexican Christmas cookies show up all season long, from the Las Posadas parties (December 16–24) to Nochebuena on December 24.

They’re also a favorite on cookie trays and as gifts in aguinaldo bags.

For the full holiday menu, see my list of 45 Best Mexican Christmas foods.