Russian Tea Cakes

Remember that “Snow Day” we had here in Texas? We spent that day baking cookies and I’ve spent the last week or so blogging about them. Finally, today I get to MY favorite Christmas cookie … Russian Tea Cakes. Maybe you’ve never heard them called by that name.  I’ve seen other recipes that are very similar using names like “Mexican Wedding Cookies” or “Snowballs”. It doesn’t much matter what you call them…they are good!  

I love these cookies because they taste great, look pretty, and even though they are rolled in powdered sugar (twice) they aren’t too sweet.

Here’s the Recipe: 

(printable version below)

• 1 cup butter or margarine
• 1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar plus more for rolling
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans

Place butter (softened) and vanilla in a large mixing bowl

Sift in powdered sugar

Blend butter and sugar with mixer until well combined

Stir together flour and salt

Mix flour with butter mixture

Add nuts and mix again

Chill dough for about an hour

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and spray a baking sheet with non stick spray

Remove dough from frig and roll into 1″ balls and place on cookie sheet for baking

**They can be placed close together but not touching, as they don’t spread at all**

Bake for 9-12 minutes JUST until set

**9 minutes is perfect for my oven**

DO NOT over bake! They will look almost the same coming out as they do going in. If they get at all brown on top the bottoms will be burned. When checking, touch to see if they are firm, if so…they’re done.

While cookies are baking, put some powdered sugar on a small plate – start with about 1/2 cup

As soon as cookies come out of the oven, roll each one in the sugar and set aside to cool

When cool, roll again!

Did I mention, I think these are really pretty cookies?

 This post linked at Inspire Us Thurs., Thumping Thurs, Pin It Thurs, Hump Day