Bring warmth to your kitchen with Polvorones de Canela, a beloved Mexican cinnamon cookie that melts in your mouth. These delicate shortbread-style treats are tender, lightly sweet, and dusted with powdered sugar for the perfect finish.

Whether you’re baking for a holiday tray, a special gathering, or simply to enjoy a cozy moment, this traditional recipe brings comfort and a touch of spice. These cookies are as beautiful as they are delicious, and they come together with ease.
Ideal for pairing with coffee or tea, Polvorones de Canela are a timeless classic you’ll want to make again and again.
Buttery and Spiced: Why You’ll Love Polvorones de Canela
Polvorones de Canela are known for their crumbly texture and rich cinnamon flavor. These cookies are rolled in powdered sugar while still warm, giving them that signature snowy appearance and sweet outer layer.
The dough is simple to prepare, and the cookies hold their shape beautifully. With optional chopped nuts for added texture, they’re as customizable as they are crowd-pleasing.
Serving Suggestions:
Pro Tips for Perfect Polvorones de Canela
- Use Softened Butter: For a smooth, uniform dough, let your butter reach room temperature before mixing.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Mix just until the flour is incorporated to keep the cookies tender.
- Add Nuts for Texture: Chopped pecans or walnuts add a pleasant crunch and nutty richness.
- Sugar While Warm: Roll the cookies in powdered sugar while they’re still warm so it sticks better and forms a sweet coating.
- Double Dusting: For extra sweetness and visual appeal, dust the cookies again once cooled.

Polvorones de Canela Recipe
- Preparation time: 15 minutes
- Cooking time: 18 minutes
- Servings: 24 cookies
- Equipment: Mixing bowls, electric mixer, baking sheet, wire rack
These Polvorones de Canela are soft, lightly spiced, and full of old-world charm. They’re an essential addition to any festive cookie lineup or afternoon treat tray.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- Additional powdered sugar for dusting
Directions:
- Preheat and Prepare: Set your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, and salt until fully blended.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add Vanilla and Combine: Stir in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Form the Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Mix on low speed just until a dough forms.
- Optional Nuts: If using nuts, gently fold them in with a spatula until evenly distributed.
- Shape the Cookies: Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into smooth balls. Place them 1 inch apart on the baking sheet.
- Bake Until Lightly Golden: Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the edges are just turning golden.
- Coat with Sugar: Let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes. Then roll each one in powdered sugar while still warm.
- Cool and Finish: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack. Once cooled, dust again with more powdered sugar if desired.
A Cozy Treat to Share or Savor
These Polvorones de Canela are light, flavorful, and full of tradition. Their warm cinnamon scent fills your kitchen, and their tender texture makes each bite a delight. They’re perfect for sharing with friends or savoring on your own with a cup of coffee.
Storage Solutions:
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They also freeze well. To freeze, arrange the cooled cookies in layers separated by parchment paper and store in a sealed container for up to two months. Dust with fresh powdered sugar after thawing to restore their snowy look.
Every bite of Polvorones de Canela brings a little joy. They’re sweet, spiced, and irresistibly soft—just like the best memories.
Print
Polvorones de Canele
These Polvorones de Canela are soft, lightly spiced, and full of old-world charm. They’re an essential addition to any festive cookie lineup or afternoon treat tray.
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Ingredients
-
2 cups all-purpose flour
-
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
-
¼ teaspoon salt
-
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
-
½ cup powdered sugar
-
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-
½ cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
-
Additional powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
-
Preheat and Prepare: Set your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking.
-
Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, and salt until fully blended.
-
Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
-
Add Vanilla and Combine: Stir in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
-
Form the Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Mix on low speed just until a dough forms.
-
Optional Nuts: If using nuts, gently fold them in with a spatula until evenly distributed.
-
Shape the Cookies: Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into smooth balls. Place them 1 inch apart on the baking sheet.
-
Bake Until Lightly Golden: Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the edges are just turning golden.
-
Coat with Sugar: Let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes. Then roll each one in powdered sugar while still warm.
-
Cool and Finish: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack. Once cooled, dust again with more powdered sugar if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes






