Russian Tea Cakes

Name: Russian Tea Cakes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: about 3-1/2 dozen
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened; 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 3/4 cup finely chopped nuts; Additional confectioners' sugar

Total Time Prep: 15 min. + chilling Bake: 15 min./batch

Yield about 3-1/2 dozen

Test Kitchen Approved

Tender, nutty Russian tea cakes, also known as snowballs, are a classic holiday cookie.

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup finely chopped nuts
Additional confectioners' sugar

Directions

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Combine dry ingredients; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in nuts. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
Preheat oven to 350°. Roll into 1-in. balls. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until lightly browned, 12-13 minutes. Roll in confectioners' sugar while still warm. Cool on wire racks.

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 83 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 49mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.

I like to present my favorite holiday cookies in a special way. I pile this fresh-baked Russian tea cakes recipe on pretty plates that I buy throughout the year, then wrap them with colored cellophane to give friends. —Valerie Hudson, Mason City, Iowa

Recipe Creator