Easy and Elegant Russian Tea Cakes

  

Russian Tea Cakes, also known as Snowball Cookies or Wedding Cookies, are a delightful and simple cookie recipe that is perfect for tea parties, holiday gatherings, or anytime you need a sweet treat.  These melt-in-your-mouth cookies are made with basic pantry staples and come together in no time.

 

Ingredients:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

½ cup powdered sugar

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)

2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions:

 

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla extract and almond extract, if using.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Stir in the chopped nuts.

Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. The cookies will still be soft in the center.

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Once the cookies are cool, roll them generously in powdered sugar. You can repeat this step once the cookies have cooled completely for an extra sugary coating.

Tips:

 

For a richer flavor, use brown butter instead of regular butter. To brown butter, simply melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, swirling it constantly, until it turns golden brown and has a nutty aroma. Let it cool slightly before using.

If the dough is too sticky, add a tablespoon of flour at a time until it becomes manageable.

Don't overbake the cookies! They should be slightly golden brown around the edges but still soft in the center.

You can substitute chopped almonds, hazelnuts, or a mixture of nuts for the pecans or walnuts.

Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Enjoy these delicious and easy Russian Tea Cakes! They are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.