Pastisetas are tender butter cookies that melt in your mouth, thanks to the cornstarch in the dough. A popular Mexican treat during the holidays that everyone will love!

Butter cookies in a bowl.
Pastisetas Mexican Butter Cookies

Pastisetas galletas or butter cookies, are simply made of all-purpose flour, cornstarch, confectioner sugar, and margarine. These ingredients are mixed together to become a delicious cookie dough.

The cookie dough then is piped to form beautiful flowers and topped with jam if you like then baked to perfection. These buttery and crumbly cookies are popular for occasions like Christmas, New Year and Los Reyes Magos.

Why you’ll love Pastisetas

  • These galletas are perfect for the holidays. The butter flavor and tender texture are irresistible!
  • Customizable: add other flavors like orange or lemon zest.
  • They’re perfect for all cookie lovers. They will be a hit just like Galletitas De Nuez.
A tray of pastisetas and some on a cooling rack.

Ingredients

  • All purpose flour
  • Cornstarch & salt
  • Confectioners sugar
  • 3 sticks unsalted butter
  • A medium egg at room temperature
  • And vanilla extract

Equipment

The ingredients for this recipe on a wood cutting board.

How to Make Pastisetas

Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F (180c). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.

Sifting flour into a mixing bowl.
  1. Sift the flour, salt and cornstarch into a large bowl. Repeat process for the confectioners sugar into a separate bowl. Set aside. 2 cups all purpose flour (270g), 2 tablespoons cornstarch (20g), ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 cup confectioners sugar (100g)
A hand mixer whipping butter.
  1. In a large bowl, cream the butter using a hand mixer for about 2 minutes. If using a stand mixer, for about 4 minutes. Note: Using a hand mixer, mixes faster than a stand mixer. 3 sticks unsalted butter (270g).
Adding confectioners sugar to the bowl with the creamed butter.
  1. Once the butter is soft and fluffy, add the confectioners sugar. Mix with the whisk first (without the mixer being on) to prevent from flying out of the bowl.
Scraping the sides of the bowl with a spatula.
  1. Mix on speed #2 to integrate. Scrape down sides of the bowl with a spatula and continue mixing for about 1 minute.
A bowl with whipped butter, one egg and vanilla extract.
  1. Add the vanilla and egg. Beat for about a minute until everything is integrated and fluffy. 1 medium egg at room temperature,1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
A glass mixing bowl with whipped butter and flour.
  1. Add half of the flour mixture and integrate with the spatula (using a spatula to mix helps the butter to stay airy at this point). Add the rest of the flour and fold to integrate all ingredients.
Cookie dough in a clear bowl with a spatula.
  • Transfer the dough to a decorating bag fitted with a large open star tip. Pipe the dough into 2-inch circles on the parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
  • Bake, one pan at a time, until light golden brown at the bottom, 12 to 15 minutes. Allow to cool completely before storing or serving.
  • For cookies with jam in the middle: Use the tip of your finger to gently press an indentation in the center each cookie dough ball. Add a little bit of your favorite jam, cajeta, nutella or dulce de leche.


Tips and Notes

  • Measure the flour correctly: The optimal and simplest method involves using a scale. If unavailable, fluff your flour with a spoon, gently sprinkle it into the measuring cup, and use a knife to level it.
  • Creaming butter properly, keeping butter doughs cold, and starting with fresh, good-tasting butter are vital details for successful cookies.
  • Start with butter that is at room temperature. It should be soft to the touch but not melted. This usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour after removing it from the refrigerator.
  • Scrape the Bowl: Stop the mixer periodically and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula. This ensures that all the butter gets evenly creamed.
A tray with Pastisetas Butter Cookies.


How to Store

Airtight Container: Place the cooled cookies in an airtight container. This helps to maintain their freshness and prevents them from absorbing any odors from the surroundings.

Refrigeration (Optional): While most butter cookies don’t require refrigeration, if you want to extend their shelf life, you can refrigerate them. Just make sure they are in an airtight container to prevent them from absorbing any odors.
Tip: Adding a small piece of bread will help absorb the moisture from the container preventing the cookies from getting too soggy.

A white bowl with pastisetas galletas.

Thank you for stopping by!

I hope you like this recipe! Do you have any questions I can help you with? Or if you made it, I would love it if you leave a comment or rating below.
Gracias!!!! xx, Ana

Print Recipe:

Butter cookies in a bowl.

Pastisetas Butter Cookies

Servings 48 cookies
Ana Frias
4.92 from 12 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Pastisetas are tender butter cookies that melt in your mouth, thanks to the cornstarch in the dough. A delicious and popular Mexican treat.

Equipment

  • 1 1M Open Star Piping Tip
48 cookies

Ingredients  

  • 2 cups all purpose flour (270g)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch (20g)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup confectioners sugar (100g)
  • 3 sticks unsalted butter (270g)
  • 1 medium egg at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180c). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
  • Sift the flour, salt and cornstarch into a large bowl. Repeat process for the confectioners sugar into a separate bowl. Set aside.
    2 cups all purpose flour (270g), 2 tablespoons cornstarch (20g), ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 cup confectioners sugar (100g)
  • In a large bowl, cream the butter using a hand mixer for about 2 minutes. If using a stand mixer, for about 4 minutes. Note: Using a hand mixer, mixes faster than a stand mixer.
    3 sticks unsalted butter (270g)
  • Once the butter is soft and fluffy, add the confectioners sugar. Mix with the whisk first (without the mixer being on) to prevent from flying out of the bowl.
  • Mix on speed #2 to integrate. Scrape down sides of the bowl with a spatula and continue mixing for about 1 minute.
  • Add the vanilla and egg. Beat for about a minute until everything is integrated and fluffy. Clean the mixer whisks and add into the bowl.
    1 medium egg at room temperature, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Add half of the flour mixture and integrate with the spatula (using a spatula to mix helps the butter to stay airy at this point). Add the rest of the flour and fold to integrate all ingredients.
  • Transfer the dough to a decorating bag fitted with a large open star tip. Pipe the dough into 2-inch circles on the parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
  • For cookies with jam in the middle: Use the tip of your finger to gently press an indentation in the center each cookie dough ball. Add a little bit of your favorite jam, cajeta, nutella or dulce de leche.
  • Bake, one pan at a time, until light golden brown at the bottom, 12 to 15 minutes. Allow to cool completely before storing or serving.

Add Your Own Private Notes

Whenever you come back to this recipe, you’ll be able to see your notes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 102kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 80mg | Potassium: 30mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g

The nutritional information and US conversions are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this data. If this is important to you, please verify with your favourite nutrition calculator and/or unit conversion tool.

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Recipe Rating




15 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    My husband loved the cookie even though it did not form like yours . The cookie dough spread. Maybe needed more flour?

  2. 5 stars
    That’s it my friends! I hope you like this recipe as much as I do! Please leave me a comment or question and I’ll get back to you asap. Stay well! xo, Ana

    1. 4 stars
      I tried them, and I love the taste! The only thing that I don’t understand is why they came out flat. 😔 Too much butter? I know I did something wrong.

      1. Hi Carmen! What kind of butter did you use? Sometimes that happens when the butter has too much fat content. Or could be the cookie dough may have been too warm when baked. Even if you used room temperature butter, the dough may have warmed up enough to cause issues. I’ll update my notes about this. Thank you!

        1. 5 stars
          Ana, thank you so much for your feedback! I made them again for a cookie exchange, instead of jam, I added cajeta with pecans. They are delicious! Thank you!