This is a very special Christmas cookie to me. Growing up I always disliked Russian Teacakes because I needed chocolate in all of my sweets but we baked them for my grandpa, who adored them. The year that he passed away, my mom pointed out that I didn’t have to make Russian Teacakes anymore but I went rogue and changed the recipe (one of my first ever times to do so!) and it quickly became one of our favorites. Now I crave these adorable little snowballs!
Russian Teacakes are delicate, nutty little cookies that melt in your mouth. They also make a mess with powdered sugar creating snowy flurries so don’t make them too big – you want to pop them in one bite to minimize the mess! I admit I prefer them as a two-bite cookie. I live on the edge like that. Feel free to make yours smaller!
As far as baking goes, it doesn’t get easier than this. It’s a one-bowl cookie and they never stick to the cookie sheet. I usually just wipe the sheets after. Russian Teacakes are very old fashioned. I stirred the dough together last night with a wooden spoon. As long as your butter is soft, you don’t need an electric mixer, making this an ideal cookie to make at Christmas time when your mixer is surely in the sink or dishwasher as I type this!
Russian Teacakes
Makes 2-4 dozen depending on the size
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cups pecans, lightly toasted and chopped
About 3/4 cup more powdered sugar for rolling
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. With a spoon or mixer, combine butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla.
- Work in flour, salt, and pecans and stir only until the dough comes together.
- Shape into 1-inch balls and place on ungreased cookie sheets.
- Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until set and slightly brown.
- Transfer to wire rack. While warm, roll in powdered sugar. Let cool completely. Roll in powdered sugar once more.
These are great with coffee or tea and would be delicious with bourbon or amaretto instead of vanilla! Are you baking any Rose Table recipes this Christmas? Send me your pictures or use the hashtag #therosetable so I can see your baking masterpieces.
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