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Russian Tea Cakes

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Delicate, melt-in-your-mouth snowball cookies with a buttery crumb and a double dusting of powdered sugar, perfect for cozy occasions and gifting.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup (60g) powdered sugar, plus more for coating
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (120g) finely chopped walnuts or pecans, toasted
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Toast the nuts: Place 1 cup (120g) of chopped walnuts or pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir frequently for about 5 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Let cool completely before using.
  2. Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat 1 cup (227g) of softened unsalted butter with 1/2 cup (60g) powdered sugar until light, fluffy, and pale—about 3 to 5 minutes.
  3. Add vanilla: Stir in 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract until combined.
  4. Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
  5. Combine nuts and flour: Add the cooled toasted nuts to the dry mix and stir to distribute evenly.
  6. Form the dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, mixing on low speed or folding by hand until a soft dough forms. If crumbly, add a teaspoon of milk or cream.
  7. Shape the cookies: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll dough into 1-inch (2.5 cm) balls and place 1.5 inches (4 cm) apart on parchment-lined baking sheets.
  8. Bake: Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until bottoms are lightly golden. Tops should remain pale.
  9. Cool and coat: Let cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then roll in sifted powdered sugar while warm. Once cool, roll again for a snowy finish.

Notes

Toast nuts lightly in a dry pan until fragrant to enhance flavor. Avoid overmixing dough to keep cookies tender. Double dusting with powdered sugar creates the classic snowball look and sweetness. If dough is sticky, chill for 10-15 minutes before shaping. Use a cookie scoop or teaspoon for uniform cookies. Variations include adding cinnamon, cardamom, or orange zest, and substitutions for gluten-free or dairy-free diets.

Nutrition

Keywords: Russian Tea Cakes, snowball cookies, melt-in-your-mouth cookies, holiday cookies, nut cookies, buttery cookies

Find it online: https://eliplate.com/russian-tea-cakes-recipe-5-easy-steps-for-melt-in-your-mouth-snowball-cookies/