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
Scale
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
