When I was a kid my mom called these delightful little cookies snowballs. It’s a cute name that perfectly describes these bite sized treats. Years later I was given this recipe for Russian tea cakes, and I’ve been making them ever since.
These are a favorite of my family at Christmas time. With a few simple ingredients you’ve got a wonderful buttery, crunchy cookie. They look so festive, like snow. A perfect holiday goody.
Walnuts add a delectable crunch. I highly recommend toasting the walnuts. This will add another depth of flavor to the tea cakes. Savory nuts and sweet powdered sugar come together perfectly in Russian tea cakes. These marvelous cookies will make a lovely addition to your holiday desserts.
Happy Eating!
For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
Russian Tea Cakes
Ingredients
1 cup softened butter
½ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 ¼ cups flour
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cupped chopped walnuts
2 cups of powdered sugar for rolling the cookies
To Toast Nuts
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Spread nuts on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Toast until browned. Keep a close eye on them as nuts can burn easily.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°
- Line baking sheets with parchment, or leave them ungreased.
- In a medium sized mixing bowl use a hand mixer to cream butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla thoroughly.
- Add the flour and salt. Mix until combined.
- Stir in the chopped walnuts.
- Cover and chill the dough for 20 minutes, or up to overnight.
- Roll the dough into 1 inch balls and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown.
- In a small bowl place the 2 cups of powdered sugar.
- While still warm, roll the cookies in powdered sugar.
- Cool the cookies, and roll one more time in the powdered sugar.
Notes
- Pecans, and almonds can be used.
- Russian tea cakes can be kept in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- Coat with powdered sugar before serving.
I can almost taste these cookies just by reading your description of them! They sound delicious! Also, I love the plate you used to place them on. How festive! Thanks for the recipe!
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They are a nice contrast to some of the other traditional Christmas cookies. So so good! But I love baking & cookies. 😁
The plate was a gift years ago.
Thanks Colleen!
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I like how the recipe has simple ingredients. At first I thought this was a savory recipe but now I see that they are actually cookies!
My mom makes a similar recipe but it’s an Irish soda biscuit. It looks similar in shape but it’s savory lol
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Yes! I tricked you. 😂
They are more buttery than super sweet. Like shortbread.
Your mom’s recipe sounds really good. You should share it.
Thanks Hilary!
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Tbh my mom’s recipe is super bland. She makes them for St. Patrick’s Day. Ever since I moved out, I’ve resorted to box mix for these soda biscuits.
Yours look much, much yummier! I recently posted a shortbread recipe which I recommend checking out. I seem to have the worst luck with shortbread and my mom had to help me make the dough.
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I will definitely check out your shortbread recipe. I use shortbread as a base in several recipes but I’ve never made shortbread on its own. It’s so good!
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Here is the link: https://sereneluna.net/2021/12/07/classic-shortbread-cookies/
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Thank you!! 😊
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Oh man my mom makes these but adds some chocolate!!!!! Love it!!! Thanks for sharing your recipe!!!!!
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I’ve never had them with chocolate. Sounds amazing! Yum!
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Hardly a Christmas goes by that I do not make these cookies. My recipe came from my Mom. I love the these cookies. I have not make them yet this Christmas, but hope to get into doing that next week. Thanks. Always love the pictures you include with the recipes.
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That’s awesome Mary! What a wonderful tradition. Your family must love these cookies too.
Thanks for your kindness and support! Taking good pics of food as a novice is a challenge. I try.
God bless you!!
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Meghan, it’s rather interesting that the recipe of my Mother’s for these same cookies is “German Sandies”. Seems like this recipe may have spanned the world with a change in the name. I find this so delightfully amusing. A small world indeed.
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This recipe has many different names. My mom always called them snowballs. Some call them Mexican Wedding cookies.
It’s such a good recipe that it crossed cultures and continents. ☺️
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You are amazing, with your gift of cooking and baking. Your posts are always rich blessings to me.
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Thank you so much!
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You are very welcome.
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I’ve also known these cookies under both names. Either way, they are wonderful. and so simple to make for the holidays. Thank you for the reminder, Meghan.
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No matter the name, they are delicious! Thank you Sharon. ☺️
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Lovely! My grandmother used to make these. I’ve never tried. Thanks for the inspiration, Meghan!
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You’d make your grandmother proud if you ever decided to make them. They are easy and good. Thanks again Stephanie!
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