Description
Russian Tea Balls are tender, buttery cookies loaded with finely chopped nuts and coated in powdered sugar for a snowy finish. These delightful treats, also known as snowballs or Mexican wedding cookies, are perfect for holidays or any time you crave a sweet, nutty bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (plus more for rolling)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add vanilla extract: Mix in the vanilla extract until well combined, adding a sweet aroma and depth to the dough.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt into the butter mixture, stirring continuously until the dough is fully incorporated with no visible flour.
- Fold in nuts: Gently fold the finely chopped walnuts or pecans into the dough ensuring an even distribution of nuts throughout.
- Form dough balls: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each into a 1-inch ball using your hands.
- Arrange on baking sheet: Place the dough balls about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow for slight spreading during baking.
- Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the bottoms just start to turn a light golden color, indicating they are baked through but remain tender.
- Cool slightly and roll in sugar: Remove cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. While still warm, roll each cookie in powdered sugar to coat them evenly.
- Final cooling and coating: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack, then roll them again in powdered sugar to achieve the signature snowy finish.
Notes
- These cookies are also known as snowballs or Mexican wedding cookies.
- Store the cookies well in an airtight container for up to one week to maintain freshness.
- They freeze beautifully, making them great for preparing ahead of time for holidays or special occasions.
