From a history perspective, the connection to Russia is unclear. It seems they may have originated in Europe as a popular snack with tea, hence “tea cake”, then they migrated to Mexico with European nuns where they became a popular wedding cookie. They are now also very popular in the U.S. at Christmas time the cookies come in a variety of names: Mexican Wedding< Cookies wedding cookies Mexican Cookies Italian cookies Pecan balls Anginetti Polvorones Snowball Cookies Pecan snowball Cookies Noel Nut Balls
These buttery melt-in-your-mouth cookie balls go by many names in recipe collections, including Mexican Wedding Cakes. They always contain finely chopped nuts and are twice rolled in powdered sugar. A holiday favorite. Toasted coconut can also be added to the dough.