Russian Tea Balls Recipe
Introduction
Russian Tea Balls are delicate, buttery cookies studded with chopped walnuts and rolled in powdered sugar. They offer a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s perfect for afternoon tea or holiday treats.
Ingredients
- 2 cups butter, softened
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 cups walnuts, chopped
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Powdered sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Step 1: Cream the butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract together until the mixture is fluffy and light in color.
- Step 2: In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt.
- Step 3: Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed butter mixture, mixing a little at a time until fully incorporated.
- Step 4: Stir in the chopped walnuts evenly throughout the dough.
- Step 5: Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 1 ½ inches apart on a cookie sheet.
- Step 6: Bake the cookies at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes, or until they are set but not browned.
- Step 7: Allow the cookies to cool on a cooling rack, then roll them generously in powdered sugar while still slightly warm.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, toast the walnuts lightly before chopping and adding to the dough.
- You can substitute pecans for walnuts if preferred.
- Rolling the cookies twice in powdered sugar provides a beautiful, snowy coating.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to help maintain the cookie shape during baking.
Storage
Store Russian Tea Balls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze them for up to three months. To reheat, bring to room temperature and refresh the powdered sugar coating if needed.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of nut?
Yes, you can substitute walnuts with pecans, almonds, or hazelnuts according to your taste preference.
Do these cookies need to be refrigerated?
No, they do not require refrigeration; storing them in an airtight container at room temperature keeps them fresh and crumbly.
Print
Russian Tea Balls Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: About 48 cookies 1x
Description
Russian Tea Balls are tender, buttery cookies loaded with chopped walnuts and dusted generously with powdered sugar, offering a delicate crumb and nutty flavor perfect for tea time or holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups walnuts, chopped
- Powdered sugar for rolling
Wet Ingredients
- 2 cups butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract together until the mixture is fluffy and light in color, ensuring proper incorporation of air for a tender cookie texture.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour and salt to evenly distribute the salt throughout the flour.
- Mix Dry and Wet: Gradually add the flour and salt mixture to the creamed butter mixture, mixing a little at a time until fully combined and a soft dough forms.
- Add Walnuts: Fold in the chopped walnuts evenly throughout the dough to ensure every bite has a nutty crunch.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch diameter balls and place them on a cookie sheet spaced 1 ½ inches apart to allow for slight spreading during baking.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C) and bake the cookies for 20 minutes or until set and lightly golden on the bottom.
- Cool and Coat: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a cooling rack. Once cooled, roll each cookie in powdered sugar to coat thoroughly, giving the classic snowy look and extra sweetness.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened but not melted for best creaming results.
- Chopping the walnuts to a consistent size helps the cookies maintain an even texture.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Rolling the cookies in powdered sugar while still warm will cause the sugar to melt; wait until fully cooled.
- For a nuttier flavor, lightly toast the walnuts before chopping and adding to the dough.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Russian
Keywords: Russian Tea Balls, nut cookies, walnut cookies, powdered sugar cookies, holiday cookies, tea time cookies, Russian dessert
