Russian Tea Balls Recipe

Introduction

Russian Tea Balls are buttery, nutty cookies that melt in your mouth with a delicate sweetness. Perfect for holiday gatherings or a cozy afternoon treat, these cookies are easy to make and delightfully satisfying.

Ingredients

• 2 cups butter, softened
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 cups walnuts, chopped
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Powdered sugar for rolling

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cream the butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract together until the mixture is fluffy and light in color.
2. Step 2: In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt.
3. Step 3: Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed butter mixture, mixing well after each addition.
4. Step 4: Stir in the chopped walnuts until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
5. Step 5: Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place them 1 1/2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
6. Step 6: Bake the cookies at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes, or until set but not browned.
7. Step 7: Allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack. Once cooled, roll each cookie in powdered sugar to coat.

Tips & Variations

• For a different nutty flavor, substitute walnuts with pecans or almonds.
• Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before shaping can help prevent spreading while baking.
• Use a fine powdered sugar for rolling to achieve a smooth, delicate coating.

Storage

Store Russian Tea Balls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or freeze for up to three months. If refrigerated or frozen, let the cookies come to room temperature before serving and, if desired, dust again with powdered sugar.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of nuts instead of walnuts?

Yes, pecans, almonds, or hazelnuts are great alternatives that will give a slightly different flavor and texture but still work well in this recipe.

Do I need to use softened butter?

Softened butter is important because it creams easily with sugar, creating a light and fluffy dough that results in the best cookie texture.

Russian Tea Balls Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 137 reviews

• Author: Hugo
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: About 48 cookies 1x

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Description

Russian Tea Balls are delicate, buttery cookies packed with chopped walnuts and flavored with vanilla. These crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth treats are rolled in powdered sugar for a festive, snowy finish. Perfect for holiday gatherings or as a delightful snack with tea or coffee.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookies

• 2 cups butter, softened
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 cups walnuts, chopped
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon salt

Coating

• Powdered sugar for rolling

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Instructions

1. Cream Butter, Sugar & Vanilla: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is fluffy and light in color. This helps create a tender texture in the cookies.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt to evenly distribute the salt within the flour.
3. Incorporate Flour Mixture: Gradually add the flour and salt mixture to the creamed butter mixture a little at a time, mixing gently to combine. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
4. Add Walnuts: Stir in the chopped walnuts thoroughly until they are evenly dispersed throughout the dough.
5. Shape Dough Balls: Form the dough into 1-inch diameter balls. Place them about 1 1/2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet to allow for slight spreading during baking.
6. Bake the Cookies: Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Bake the balls for 20 minutes until the edges are very lightly golden but the cookies remain pale overall.
7. Cool and Roll in Sugar: Transfer the baked cookies to a cooling rack and let them cool completely. Once cooled, roll each cookie in powdered sugar until fully coated to create the classic snowy finish.

Notes

• Use softened butter (not melted) to achieve the right dough consistency and texture.
• Chop walnuts finely or to your preferred consistency for texture.
• Store the cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent them from drying out.
• These cookies can be made ahead and keep well for up to two weeks.
• For a nut-free version, substitute walnuts with an equal amount of seeds, such as sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
• Rolling in powdered sugar while warm helps it stick better, but be careful handling the hot cookies.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Russian

Keywords: Russian Tea Balls, Nut Cookies, Walnut Cookies, Holiday Cookies, Tea Time Cookies, Powdered Sugar Cookies, Classic Cookies