Buttery Russian Tea Balls Recipe
These Buttery Russian Tea Balls are classic holiday cookies that are rich, crumbly, and melt in your mouth. Coated in powdered sugar, they’re perfect for Christmas celebrations, cookie swaps, or as a sweet treat with your afternoon tea.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus extra for rolling
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup finely chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans work best)
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. - Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract. - Add Dry Ingredients
Gradually mix in the flour and salt. Fold in the chopped nuts until evenly distributed. - Shape the Dough
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. - Bake
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden. Be careful not to overbake, as these cookies are delicate. - Coat in Sugar
Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes, then roll them in powdered sugar while still warm. Cool completely on a wire rack, then roll in powdered sugar again for a perfect snowy coating.
Tips for Perfect Russian Tea Balls
- Use finely chopped nuts for a smoother texture.
- Double roll in powdered sugar for that classic holiday look.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
FAQs
Q: Can I make these cookies nut-free?
A: Yes, you can skip the nuts and still enjoy buttery, crumbly cookies.
Q: Can I freeze these cookies?
A: Absolutely! Freeze the baked cookies without powdered sugar, then coat them after thawing.
These Buttery Russian Tea Balls are a holiday tradition you’ll want to make year after year. Perfectly sweet, nutty, and easy to bake—these cookies are a must for your festive dessert table!
Let me know if you’d like to customize this recipe further!