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 |
4012 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 248.7 g | 319% | |
| Saturated Fat | 126.5 g | 632% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 517 mg | 172% | |
| Sodium | 24 mg | 1% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 411.1 g | 149% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 13.6 g | 49% | |
| Total Sugars | 185.1 g | ||
| Protein | 43.0 g | 86% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.9 mcg | 15% | |
| Calcium | 146 mg | 11% | |
| Iron | 12.6 mg | 70% | |
| Potassium | 670 mg | 14% | |
*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.