Best 9 Russian Tea Cakes I Recipes

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In the realm of sweet treats, Russian tea cakes, also known as Mexican wedding cakes or snowballs, reign supreme. These delightful confections, often gracing holiday gatherings, are characterized by their delicate crumbly texture, melt-in-your-mouth quality, and a generous coating of powdered sugar. Originating in Russia, these cookies have garnered immense popularity worldwide, captivating taste buds with their simplicity and elegance.

This curated collection of Russian tea cake recipes offers a delightful journey into the world of these classic cookies. From traditional recipes that honor the heritage of this timeless treat to creative variations that introduce unique flavors and textures, this article caters to every palate and skill level.

The classic Russian tea cake recipe, a beloved staple in many households, forms the cornerstone of this compilation. With step-by-step instructions and a detailed ingredient list, this recipe ensures that even novice bakers can achieve perfect results. For those seeking a gluten-free alternative, a dedicated recipe offers a delightful adaptation that retains the essence of these cookies while accommodating dietary restrictions.

For those with a penchant for chocolate, a decadent chocolate Russian tea cake recipe promises a rich and indulgent experience. This variation incorporates cocoa powder into the dough, resulting in a symphony of flavors that will leave chocolate enthusiasts utterly smitten.

Additionally, the article presents a delightful pumpkin Russian tea cake recipe, a seasonal twist that captures the essence of fall. This recipe ingeniously utilizes pumpkin puree to create a moist and flavorful cookie with a vibrant orange hue, perfect for autumn gatherings.

Lastly, to tantalize taste buds with a unique flavor profile, the collection includes a lemon Russian tea cake recipe. This zesty variation infuses the cookies with the bright and refreshing flavors of lemon, resulting in a delightful treat that is both sweet and tangy.

With its comprehensive selection of recipes, this article serves as an indispensable guide for bakers seeking to master the art of Russian tea cakes. Whether you prefer the classic recipe, crave a gluten-free option, desire the decadence of chocolate, seek the warmth of pumpkin spice, or relish the tang of lemon, this compilation has something for every palate to savor. Embark on this culinary adventure and discover the magic of Russian tea cakes, a timeless treat that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on your taste buds.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

RUSSIAN TEA CAKES



Russian Tea Cakes image

I like to present my favorite holiday cookies in a special way. I pile these fresh-baked tea cakes on pretty plates that I buy throughout the year, then wrap them with colored cellophane to give friends. —Valerie Hudson, Mason City, Iowa

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 35m

Yield about 3-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup finely chopped nuts
Additional confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Combine dry ingredients; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in nuts. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours. , Roll into 1-in. balls. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 12-13 minutes. Roll in confectioners' sugar while still warm. Cool on wire racks.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 83 calories, Fat 6g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 12mg cholesterol, Sodium 49mg sodium, Carbohydrate 7g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.

RUSSIAN TEA CAKES I



Russian Tea Cakes I image

This is a family recipe that's been made at Christmas time by at least 4 generations. This year will be the first for number 5!!! 'Bubba' brought it with her when she came from Lithuania. I pass it on in the true spirit of this season!

Provided by THEAUNT708

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Eastern European     Russian

Time 35m

Yield 36

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped walnuts
⅓ cup confectioners' sugar for decoration

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • In a medium bowl, cream butter and vanilla until smooth. Combine the 6 tablespoons confectioners' sugar and flour; stir into the butter mixture until just blended. Mix in the chopped walnuts. Roll dough into 1 inch balls, and place them 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
  • Bake for 12 minutes in the preheated oven. When cool, roll in remaining confectioners' sugar. I also like to roll mine in the sugar a second time.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 101.6 calories, Carbohydrate 8.2 g, Cholesterol 13.6 mg, Fat 7.3 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 1.3 g, SaturatedFat 3.4 g, Sodium 36.6 mg, Sugar 2.5 g

RUSSIAN TEA CAKES



Russian Tea Cakes image

Rolling these classic Christmas cookies in powdered sugar once while they're still warm and again when they're completely cooled ensures their snowball-like appearance.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cookie Recipes

Time 1h20m

Yield Makes 4 dozen

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 cup almond flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 sticks unsalted butter (1 cup), room temperature
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, divided
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons almond liqueur, such as amaretto

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees with racks in the upper and lower third positions.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together flours and salt. Set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with with paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with an electric hand mixer, cream butter and 1/2 cup sugar on medium-high until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in vanilla and almond liqueur until fully combined. Add flour mixture; beat until combined.
  • Using 1 rounded teaspoon of dough per cookie, roll into balls with the palms of your hands; place onto two parchment-lined baking sheets, 1 inch apart. Bake, rotating halfway through, until cookies are set and just turning golden around the edges, about 16 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and let cookies cool slightly on baking sheets, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, add remaining 1 cup sugar to a medium bowl. When cool enough to handle, roll a few cookies at a time in the bowl of sugar to coat. Transfer to a rack to cool completely, about 30 minutes. Roll cookies in sugar again until thoroughly coated. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

CHEF JOHN'S RUSSIAN TEA CAKES



Chef John's Russian Tea Cakes image

As the old joke goes, these Russian tea cakes might not be Russian, but at least they're not cakes. No one knows exactly how these came to be known as Russian tea cakes but, nevertheless, they are quite delicious.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Desserts     Cookies     Butter Cookie Recipes     Tea Cakes and Biscuits Recipes

Time 30m

Yield 14

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 ⅓ cups confectioners' sugar, divided
1 cup finely chopped toasted walnuts
⅛ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup confectioners' sugar for dusting, or more as needed

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Arrange rack in center position of oven.
  • Place butter, 1/3 cup packed powdered sugar, walnuts, salt, and vanilla in a bowl. Top with the flour. Mix with your clean hands until the dough starts to clump up. Keep mixing by hand until all the flour and clumps of butter are evenly mixed into the dough and it can be easily formed into balls.
  • Scoop out dough and roll by hand into uniformly round balls, just slightly larger than 1 inch. Place on a rimmed baking sheet lined with a silicone baking mat about 2 inches apart.
  • Bake in preheated oven until lightly golden, 15 to 25 minutes depending on the size of the cookies.
  • Let cool exactly 5 minutes then roll in remaining 1 cup confectioners' sugar. Let cookies cool completely and toss them again in the confectioners' sugar.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 320.7 calories, Carbohydrate 36.1 g, Cholesterol 34.9 mg, Fat 18.8 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 3.4 g, SaturatedFat 8.9 g, Sodium 23.3 mg, Sugar 20.4 g

RUSSIAN TEA CAKES



Russian Tea Cakes image

There's no feeling quite as blissful as your first bite of one of these cookies. Whether you call them Russian tea cakes, Mexican wedding cookies or snowballs, there's no denying that they're essential to bake during the Christmas season. A shortbread-like dough, studded with chopped nuts, bakes up to a texture that's beautifully sandy and tender, never dry or crumbling to bits. The classic finish for them is a roll through powdered sugar-just like dashing through the winter snow! Make this recipe and you'll be part of a legacy of bakers who have made Russian Tea Cakes one of the most anticipated treats of the season.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h15m

Yield 48

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/4 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
3/4 cup finely chopped nuts
1/4 teaspoon salt
Powdered sugar

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 400°F.
  • Mix butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar and the vanilla in large bowl. Stir in flour, nuts and salt until dough holds together.
  • Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place about 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
  • Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until set but not brown. Remove from cookie sheet. Cool slightly on wire rack.
  • Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar; cool on wire rack. Roll in powdered sugar again.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 75, Carbohydrate 6 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 0 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 55 mg

RUSSIAN TEA CAKES



Russian Tea Cakes image

Provided by Duff Goldman

Categories     dessert

Time 2h

Yield 48 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 7

5 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
4 1/2 cups (20 ounces) all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups (7 1/2 ounces) sifted powdered sugar, plus more for rolling cookies
1 tablespoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups toasted walnuts, finely chopped

Steps:

  • First, brown the butter: Place the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat to cook. Check it after about 7 minutes; it should be a medium-brown color, not too light but not too burnt. Once it reaches that color, take it off the heat and let it cool. Refrigerate to continue to cool for about 30 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 3 half sheet pans with parchment paper.
  • Add the cold browned butter, flour, powdered sugar, salt, vanilla extract and cinnamon to a food processor; process until light and fluffy. Transfer to a large bowl. Add the walnuts and mix with a rubber spatula until combined.
  • Using a small ice cream scoop, portion 48 mounds of the dough onto your prepared sheet pans, spacing them 2 inches apart. Place in the freezer to cool for 15 minutes.
  • Bake until the cookies are firm and smell nutty and toasty, 15 to 18 minutes. Rotate the pans 180 degrees halfway through baking.
  • Meanwhile, place additional powdered sugar in another large bowl. Once the cookies are out of the oven, let cool for exactly 6 minutes 30 seconds then toss in the powdered sugar. Enjoy!

RUSSIAN TEA CAKES



Russian Tea Cakes image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     dessert

Time 1h10m

Yield 4 dozen cookies

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 cup butter, at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup sifted confectioners? sugar, plus more for rolling cookies
2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
  • Cream butter in a large mixing bowl. Add the vanilla then gradually add the 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Sift the flour, measure, then sift again with the salt. Add gradually to the butter mixture. Add the pecans and mix well.
  • Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Flatten slightly using the bottom of a glass, then bake for 20 minutes, or until edges are very lightly browned. Remove the cookies from the baking sheets and roll in powdered sugar while still hot. Cool on wire racks and roll cookies again in powdered sugar before serving.
  • Once they are completely cooled, cookies may be stored in airtight containers for up to 1 week.

RUSSIAN TEA CAKES



Russian Tea Cakes image

These elegant little cookies are a popular treat in Russia at the holidays. It's funny- I grew up having these at Christmas and had no idea that these holiday cookies originated in Russia! They are delicious- whether at Christmas or any other time of the year!

Provided by Sommer Clary

Categories     Dessert

Time 42m

Yield 18-20 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup finely chopped walnuts or 3/4 cup pecans
1 cup powdered sugar

Steps:

  • Mix the butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar and vanilla thoroughly. Sift in the flour and the salt, stirring until combined (it will be sticky). Mix in the nuts. Place the dough on some plastic wrap and shape into a ball. Wrap and chill in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and place on a cookie sheet (cookies don't spread). Bake 10-12 minutes, or until set but not brown. While still warm, roll in the remaining powdered sugar. Set aside to cool, and then roll them one more time in the sugar before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 219.1, Fat 13.6, SaturatedFat 6.8, Cholesterol 27.1, Sodium 34.3, Carbohydrate 22.6, Fiber 0.8, Sugar 10, Protein 2.5

RUSSIAN TEA CAKES



Russian Tea Cakes image

Make and share this Russian Tea Cakes recipe from Food.com.

Provided by KitchenCraftsnMore

Categories     Dessert

Time 19m

Yield 48 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 cup butter or 1 cup margarine, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup finely chopped nuts
powdered sugar

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Beat butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar and the vanilla in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon.
  • Stir in flour and salt.
  • Stir in nuts.
  • Shape dough into 1-inch balls.
  • Place about 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
  • Bake 8 to 9 minutes or until set but not brown.
  • Immediately remove from cookie sheet; roll in powdered sugar.
  • Cool completely on wire rack.
  • Roll in powdered sugar again.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 73.1, Fat 5, SaturatedFat 2.6, Cholesterol 10.2, Sodium 60.4, Carbohydrate 6.3, Fiber 0.3, Sugar 1.4, Protein 1

Tips:

  • Use unsalted butter. Salted butter can make the cookies too salty.
  • Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This will help the cookies be light and tender.
  • Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. This will help prevent the cookies from curdling.
  • Stir in the dry ingredients gradually. Over-mixing can make the cookies tough.
  • Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This will help the cookies hold their shape.
  • Bake the cookies in a preheated oven. This will help the cookies bake evenly.
  • Let the cookies cool completely before storing them. This will help the cookies keep their shape and texture.

Conclusion:

Russian tea cakes are a delicious and festive cookie that is perfect for any occasion. They are easy to make and can be stored for up to a week. These cookies are also a great way to use up leftover egg yolks. With their delicate flavor and crumbly texture, these cookies are sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

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