Description
Delightful russian tea balls showcase a powdery, melt-in-your-mouth cookie that delights winter gatherings. Nutty Mexican wedding cookies inspire this classic sweet treat with delicate confectioners’ sugar coating.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup finely chopped walnuts
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (plus extra for rolling)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet for the delicate Russian tea balls.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, whip the butter and initial powdered sugar until the mixture transforms into a light, airy consistency, then gently incorporate the vanilla extract.
- Gradually introduce flour and salt into the butter blend, stirring methodically until a uniform dough forms. Carefully fold the chopped nuts throughout the mixture.
- Craft small, uniform spheres approximately 1-inch in diameter, positioning each gently on the prepared baking sheet with precise spacing.
- Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for subtle golden edges that indicate perfect doneness.
- Remove from the oven and allow cookies to rest momentarily on the baking sheet, preserving their delicate structure.
- While still warm, delicately roll each cookie in powdered sugar, ensuring complete coverage with a gentle coating.
- Allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack, then perform a second powdered sugar dusting for an elegant, snowlike finish.
- Serve these tender morsels alongside a steaming cup of tea, savoring their melt-in-your-mouth texture and subtle nutty undertones.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter for smoother, easier mixing and better cookie texture.
- Chop nuts finely to ensure even distribution and prevent crumbling during baking.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain cookie shape.
- Roll cookies in powdered sugar while warm for better sugar adhesion and a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth coating.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week to maintain freshness.
- Substitute walnuts with almonds or pecans for different flavor variations.
- Make gluten-free by using almond flour or gluten-free flour blend for those with dietary restrictions.
- Reduce sugar content by using a sugar substitute or cutting the powdered sugar quantity in half.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Russian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 22 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 31 mg