Russian Tea Cakes are delicate, buttery cookies with a melt-in-your-mouth texture, studded with finely chopped walnuts and generously coated in powdered sugar. Often called “Snowball Cookies” or “Mexican Wedding Cookies,” these sweet treats are popular for holiday celebrations, weddings, and tea parties. Their origins trace through European and Middle Eastern baking traditions, brought to the United States by immigrants in the 20th century. The double coating of powdered sugar gives them their signature snowy appearance and makes them a nostalgic favorite for winter gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ½ cup powdered sugar (plus extra for rolling)
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ cup walnuts (very finely chopped )
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat Oven
- Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).
Step 2: Cream Butter & Sugar
- In a large bowl, cream butter and powdered sugar until smooth.
Step 3: Add Vanilla
- Mix in the vanilla extract.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Gradually add to the butter mixture, blending until fully incorporated.
Step 5: Add Walnuts
- Fold in the finely chopped walnuts until evenly distributed.
Step 6: Shape Dough
- Roll dough into small balls about ¾ inch in diameter. Place on an ungreased baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.
Step 7: Bake
- Bake for 14 minutes, or until cookies are set but not browned.
Step 8: First Sugar Coating
- While still hot, roll cookies in powdered sugar until coated.
Step 9: Cool & Second Coating
- Place cookies on a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, roll again in powdered sugar for a snowy finish.
Step 10: Store
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Tips
- Use pecans or almonds instead of walnuts for a different flavor.
- Lightly toast nuts before chopping to deepen flavor.
- Chill dough for 30 minutes if it feels too soft to roll.
- Dust cookies twice with powdered sugar for a thicker snowy coating.
- Add ½ teaspoon almond extract for a flavor variation.
- Make smaller balls for bite-size cookies; reduce baking time slightly.
- Roll cookies in powdered sugar while warm so it adheres better.
- Add orange or lemon zest for a citrus twist.
- Make ahead: dough freezes well for up to 2 months.
- For extra tenderness, avoid overmixing once flour is added.
Nutrition
Calories: 95kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 1gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 1.5gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 25mgPotassium: 25mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 150IUCalcium: 5mgIron: 0.3mg
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