Mexican Pink Cookies Recipe (Polvorones Rosas)

Introduction

You get the best of both worlds with these charming cookies—a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture combined with a festive pop of pink color and sparkly sugar. They’re a staple at Mexican celebrations, offering a sweet, simple treat that’s surprisingly easy to make at home.

Prep & Cook Time

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Servings: 24 cookies

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup vegetable shortening, butter flavor
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 5-6 drops pink food coloring gel
• 1/3 cup sparkling decorating sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the vegetable shortening and sugar together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and pink food coloring gel to the shortening mixture. Beat on medium speed until fully combined and the color is uniform.
5. Pour the sparkling decorating sugar into a shallow bowl. Scoop about 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough and roll it between your palms to form a smooth ball.
6. Roll each dough ball in the sparkling sugar until completely coated, then place it on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Gently flatten each ball slightly with the palm of your hand.
7. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the cookies are set and the bottoms are just barely starting to turn light golden. The tops should remain pale.
8. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Variations

• Pastel Rainbow: Divide the dough into batches and tint each with a different pastel food coloring gel for a festive assortment.
• Sugar-Free Sparkle: Instead of rolling the entire cookie, gently press the flattened cookie tops into the decorating sugar for a partially sparkled look.
• Holiday Themes: Use red, green, or blue food coloring and coordinating sparkling sugars for different holidays.
• Thumbprint Style: Before baking, make a small indentation in the center of each flattened cookie with your thumb or a spoon, which can be filled with a dollop of jam after baking and cooling.

Tips for Success

• Use butter-flavored shortening as specified; it provides the classic texture and flavor without causing the cookies to spread too much.
• For the most vibrant pink color, use a gel food coloring. Liquid coloring can alter the dough’s consistency.
• Don’t skip the slight flattening step before baking; it helps the cookies bake evenly.
• Allow the cookies to cool fully on the rack before storing to ensure they stay crisp and don’t become soggy.

Storage & Reheating

Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To restore a fresh-from-the-oven texture, you can reheat a cookie in the microwave for 5-10 seconds, though they are delicious at room temperature.

FAQ

Can I use butter instead of shortening?

While you can, butter will cause the cookies to spread more and have a crisper texture. Shortening is key for the traditional crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth quality.

Why is my dough too sticky to roll?

The dough should be soft but not sticky. If it is, it may be due to a warm kitchen or overmixing. Chill the dough for 15-20 minutes to make it easier to handle.

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough balls and roll them in sugar, then freeze them on a tray. Once solid, transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the baking time.

My cookies came out hard, not crumbly. What happened?

This is usually due to overmixing the dough once the flour is added or overbaking. Mix just until combined and remove them from the oven when they are set but still pale.

What’s the best way to get an even pink color?

Mix the food coloring gel thoroughly with the wet ingredients (shortening, sugar, egg, vanilla) before adding the dry ingredients. This ensures the color distributes evenly.

Can I use natural food coloring?

Yes, but gel-based natural colorings work best. Be aware you may need to use more to achieve a vibrant hue, and the color may fade slightly during baking.