Delight your taste buds with the timeless charm of Russian Tea Cakes, also known as snowball cookies—an irresistible treat that’s perfect for holidays and special occasions. These buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies are made with a combination of finely chopped nuts and a soft, delicate dough, rolled into bite-sized perfection. After baking to a light golden hue, they’re generously coated in powdered sugar, creating a snow-like finish that’s as festive as it is delectable. Easy to make in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients like unsalted butter, flour, and vanilla, these cookies pair beautifully with a cup of tea or coffee. Whether you’re entertaining guests or indulging in a sweet craving, Russian Tea Cakes are a delightful addition to any occasion—and an essential recipe for your dessert repertoire.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter and 0.5 cups of powdered sugar together until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes using an electric mixer.
Mix in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the butter mixture, beating on low speed until just combined.
Stir in the finely chopped nuts with a spatula or wooden spoon until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are set but not browned. The bottoms may have a light golden color.
Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet.
While the cookies are still warm, roll them gently in the powdered sugar reserved for coating. Place them on a wire rack to cool completely.
Once cooled, roll the cookies in powdered sugar a second time for a thick, snowy coating.
Transfer to an airtight container for storage, or serve immediately and enjoy!
Calories |
167 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 10.4 g | 13% | |
| Saturated Fat | 5.3 g | 26% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 22 mg | 7% | |
| Sodium | 1 mg | 0% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 17.1 g | 6% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.6 g | 2% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.7 g | ||
| Protein | 1.8 g | 4% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 6 mg | 0% | |
| Iron | 0.5 mg | 3% | |
| Potassium | 28 mg | 1% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.