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    Home » Recipes » Cookies

    Mexican Pink Cookies (Polvorones Rosas)

    By Wendy Sondov · Published: May 4, 2023 · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe

    Mexican Pink Cookies (Polvorones Rosas) are thick, crunchy sugar cookies covered in sparkling sugar. These delicious, bakery treats are easy to make at home with simple ingredients.

    Overhead image of pink cookies on white plates with a glass of milk.

    Why you'll love this recipe

    This pink cookie recipe is just what you need when you want a crunchy, vanilla sugar cookie that's perfect with coffee, tea, or milk.

    It's hard to believe that such a pretty cookie is so quick and easy to make. The bright pink color and the decorating sugar sparkle make these eye catching treats ideal for party platters as well as less fancy occasions, like after school snack!

    Vegetable shortening creates a delicious crispness and makes these polvorones cookies a great choice for warm weather care packages.

    For a similar polvorones recipe but with citrus flavor, be sure to check out Mexican Sugar Cookies, another bakery favorite.

    Ingredients

    Ingredients: all purpose flour, baking powder, salt, egg, sugar, vegetable shortening, pink food coloring, vanilla extract.

    Instructions

    This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.

    Instructions: combine ingredients, add coloring, scoop dough balls, coat in sugar, flatten on baking sheet, bake.
    1. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the ingredients to form dough.
    2. Add 5-6 drops of pink food coloring gel and knead by hand or with the mixer until evenly colored.
    3. Scoop dough with a medium cookie scoop to make 1 ½ tablespoon portions of dough. Roll the portions into balls. Roll each dough ball in the decorating sugar in a small bowl.
    4. Place the cookie dough balls on the prepared cookie sheets, about 2" apart. Use the back of a measuring cup or the bottom of a drinking glass to press down evenly on each cookie until the dough is ¼" thick. Bake.

    Storage

    Store pink cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 10 days.

    Closeup of a stack of pink sugar cookies  showing the sugar coating and thick edges.

    Tips

    • Pink and yellow are the most common colors used for these cookies in Mexican bakeries, however polvorones can be made in different colors as well.
    • For an almond flavored cookie, use almond extract instead of one of the teaspoons of vanilla.
    • Mexican vanilla gives the most authentic flavor, but any type of vanilla can be used.
    • In my experience, food coloring gel provides the most intense color using the least coloring.
    • My prefered brand of food coloring gel for color options and intensity of color is Americolor.
    • These Polvorones Rosas were colored with 6 drops of Americolor Deep Pink.

    Frequently asked questions

    Can butter be substituted for the vegetable shortening?

    Vegetable shortening gives these cookies their special crunch. Substituting butter will not produce the same results.

    Can I use lard instead of shortening?

    Originally, polvorones were made with lard. To avoid pork flavored cookies, be sure to use rendered leaf lard or processed lard

    Can I use liquid food coloring?

    You can use liquid food coloring instead of gel food coloring, but you will need more of it to create the same color intensity.

    Why is my dough is too dry and crumbly?

    Assuming correct measurement of all ingredients, variations in flour and humidity can effect cookie dough. Simply add water, one tablespoon at a time while mixing, until the dough becomes soft and pliable but not sticky.

    Closeup showing the crackled, flat tops of the large pink cookies.
    These Mexican pink sugar cookies are just like the ones found at a Mexican bakery.

    Related Recipes

    Pabassinas are Mexican cookies with raisins and nuts. These chewy cookies are coated in orange icing.

    Mazapan peanut candy has a melt in your mouth, crumbly texture and lots of peanut flavor. This delicious treat is made with just two ingredients!

    Funfetti Sugar Cookies have crunchy edges, chewy centers, and lots of colorful sprinkles inside and out.

    4th of July Cookies are a crunchy swirl of red, white and blue!

    Watermelon Cookies are slice and bake treats that look just like a slice of watermelon.

    Pink polvorones cookies on a plate.
    Big pink cookies are the perfect cookie to dunk in a glass of milk.

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    Mexican Pink Cookies Recipe (Polvorones Rosas)

    Mexican Pink Cookies are crunchy sugar cookies that are quick and easy to make. These pretty cookies are great for casual dunking or festive party platters.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes minutes
    Servings: 24
    Calories: 165kcal
    Author: Wendy Sondov
    Adapted From: "The International Cookie Cookbook" by Nancy Baggett

    Ingredients

    Cookie dough

    • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup vegetable shortening, butter flavor
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1 large egg
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

    Decorating

    • 5-6 drops pink food coloring gel
    • ⅓ cup sparkling decorating sugar

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line acookie sheet with parchment paper.
    • In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
    • In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the shortening and granulated sugar until fluffy.
    • Beat in the egg and vanilla.
    • Gradually, mix in the flour mixture.
    • Add 5-6 drops of pink food coloring gel and knead by hand or with the mixer until evenly colored.
    • Use a medium scoop to make 1 ½ tablespoon portions of dough. Roll the portions into 2-inch balls.
    • Roll each dough ball in the decorating sugar in a small bowl.
    • Place the balls of dough on the prepared baking sheet, about 2" apart.
    • Use the back of a measuring cup or the bottom of a drinking glass to press down evenly on each cookie until the dough is ¼" thick.
    • Bake cookies, one cookie sheet at a time, for about 11-12 minutes.
    • Remove from the oven and cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
    • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 10 days.

    Notes

    • Pink and yellow are the most common colors used for these cookies in Mexican bakeries, however you can make them any color you want.
    • For an almond flavored cookie, use almond extract instead of one of the teaspoons of vanilla.
    • Mexican vanilla gives the most authentic flavor, but any type of vanilla can be used.
    • In my experience, food coloring gel provides the most intense color using the least coloring.
    • My prefered brand of food coloring gel for color options and intensity of color is Americolor.
    • These Polvorones Rosas were colored with 6 drops of Americolor Deep Pink.
    Packing tips
    • Wrap stacks of 4-6 cookies in plastic wrap.
    • Place the wrapped bundles in a column in a freezer weight ziplock bag or stack snuggly in a plastic storage container.
    • For longer shipping times, vacuum sealing is always the best option, if possible.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 165kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 38mg | Potassium: 16mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @TheMondayBox or tag #themondaybox!

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    Comments

    1. Cindy

      May 05, 2023 at 7:05 am

      I have never heard of these cookies before Wendy. They are just the prettiest shade of pink. Looking forward to trying them.

      Reply

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    I'm Wendy, a baker, care package maker, and smile creator. On The Monday Box you’ll find care package inspiration and recipes for delicious treats that make it easy for you to share home baked love. Let’s spread happiness, one cookie at a time!

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