Buttery Russian Tea Balls
Ingredients
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar (plus extra for rolling)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup finely chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pecans)
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (205°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process should take about 2-3 minutes. The key is to ensure that the butter is well-aerated, which will help create that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
3. Add Vanilla and Dry Ingredients
Once the butter and sugar are combined, add the vanilla extract and mix until incorporated. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; you want the dough to remain tender.
4. Incorporate the Nuts
Fold in the finely chopped nuts using a spatula or wooden spoon. The nuts add a lovely crunch and flavor that complements the buttery cookie base.
5. Shape the Cookies
Using a small cookie scoop or your hands, shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place them about an inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. This recipe should yield about 24 cookies.
6. Bake
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the bottoms are just lightly golden. The tops should remain pale; you want to avoid browning them too much.
7. Roll in Powdered Sugar
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. While they are still warm, roll each cookie in powdered sugar until fully coated. This step gives them their signature snowy appearance.
8. Cool Completely
Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, you can roll them in powdered sugar again for an extra layer of sweetness.
Enjoying Your Buttery Russian Tea Balls
These Buttery Russian Tea Balls are perfect for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or simply enjoying with a cup of tea or coffee. Their delicate flavor and soft texture make them irresistible treats that everyone will love.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week (if they last that long!). You can also freeze these cookies for longer storage; just be sure to roll them in powdered sugar after thawing for that fresh-baked look.
Whether you’re sharing them with friends and family or keeping them all to yourself, these classic holiday cookies are sure to bring joy and warmth to your festivities! Happy baking! 🍪