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    Home » European Vegetarian Desserts

    Published: Oct, 2019. Updated: Aug, 2023 by Iryna Bychkiv | This post may contain affiliate links. Read more here

    Russian Tea Cookies Recipe (Snowball Cookies)

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    These Russian Tea Cookies are buttery soft, sugar-dusted tea cakes that are so easy to make. Also called Snowball Cookies, these sweet little treats make a delicious little dessert or an afternoon pick-me-up.

    Russian Tea Cookies (Cakes) On A White Plate

    Russian Tea Cookies

    Despite that in the US these cookies are usually baked for Christmas, in all post-Soviet countries they are a regular treat you can find in any grocery store.

    These cute cookies are sweet, with a light buttery flavor and they pair perfectly with a cup of tea or coffee.

    What's not to like?

    How about the fact that Russian Tea Cookies are also ridiculously easy to make?

    You don't need special equipment and just the basic ingredients we all have in a pantry. These are great for weekend baking with a kids and I'm sure they'll love to roll these cookies in powdered sugar. 

    The more - the merrier:)

    Russian tea cookies shot from the side

    Russian Tea Cakes

    Although it's believed that these tea cakes originated in Russia, no one knows for sure the history behind them.

    US, Mexico and several other European countries have their own version of this recipe. They all have different names - Snowball Cookies, Mexican Cakes, Italian Wedding Cookies.

    One thing is true- these cookies are so popular thanks to their simplicity and great taste.

    How to store Russian tea cookies?

    Cookies dusted with powdered sugar tend to become soggy when stored. In order to ensure maximum freshness, I recommend rolling in sugar only that portion of cookies that you're planning to consume on the same day.

    Store the remaining (unrolled in sugar) cookies in the airtight container in a fridge for 3-4 days. When ready to consume, roll them in powdered sugar and enjoy! 

    Russian tea cookies on a platter with a cup of tea at the background

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    Recipe

    Russian Tea Cookies (Cakes) On A White Plate

    Russian Tea Cookies

    Russian Tea Cookies are buttery soft, sugar dusted tea cakes that are so easy to make. Also called Snowball Cookies, these sweet little treats make a delicious little dessert or an afternoon pick-me-up.
    4.84 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Russian
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Resting Time: 50 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 20 cookies
    Calories: 105kcal
    Author: Iryna Bychkiv
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    Ingredients

    • 1 stick (4 oz) butter, softened
    • 2 tablespoon cane sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 c + 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
    • ½ c walnuts chopped
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ½ c powdered sugar

    Instructions

    • In a large mixing bowl add softened butter, salt, sugar and Vanilla extract and mix with a hand mixer until combined, 2-3 minutes.
    • Stir in walnuts and flour and mix with a wooden spoon or spatula until the dough comes together. Continue kneading for a few more minutes with your hands until all ingredients are incorporated. Don't over-knead.
    • Wrap the dough in plastic wrap, slightly flatten it and put in a fridge for 30 minutes.
    • Remove the dough from the fridge, discard plastic wrap and divide the dough into 20 even size balls. Place the dough balls on a parchment lined baking dish and chill in a fridge for 20 minutes.
    • At the same time preheat the oven to 350 F. Bake cookies for 20 minutes. It's not supposed to brown on top.
    • Remove cookies from the oven and transfer on a cooling rack.
    • Add powdered sugar to a medium bowl. When cookies are no longer hot to handle roll them in powdered sugar until they are white on all sides.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 105kcal | Carbohydrates: 10.2g | Protein: 1.5g | Fat: 6.5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 64mg | Potassium: 26mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 4.5g | Calcium: 4mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @Lavender.And.Macarons or tag #lavenderandmacarons!
    Iryna Bychkiv
    Website

    Iryna Bychkiv is the founder and writer of the culinary website Lavender & Macarons, where she shares clean, European-inspired recipes that are delicious, easy to prepare, and made with wholesome ingredients. Iryna loves creating meals that are simple yet healthy and unique, including vegan and vegetarian recipes.
    Iryna is also a freelance writer for MSN and Associated Press Wire.

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    Comments

    1. Barbara says

      December 14, 2024 at 12:30 pm

      5 stars
      We love these cookies. So light and delicious. I have also used chopped pecans instead of walnuts.

      Reply
      • Iryna Bychkiv says

        December 19, 2024 at 1:59 pm

        Barbara, thank you for sharing! I'm happy you enjoyed these cookies recipe!

        Reply
    2. Nina Kulish says

      December 14, 2024 at 11:12 am

      5 stars
      They look cute and perfect for Christmas time. Will try. Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
    3. Ann says

      December 07, 2019 at 11:48 am

      5 stars
      Hey Iryna! The recipe is too good to be true! These sweet little treats are so cute! I’ve been to Russia twice in the last two years, but to be honest, I’ve never come across something like these tea cookies… I’m so excited at the idea of giving the recipe a try. We’ll probably make these together with my kiddos next weekend. They’d love these.
      Thank you so much for sharing such a fab idea with us. It seems that I’ve just fallen in love with your blog. I’ve just bookmarked it. I’ll be coming around often. Keep it up!

      Best wishes,
      Ann

      Reply
      • Iryna says

        December 09, 2019 at 12:02 pm

        Hi Ann!Thank you for your kind words! I hope you'll give these cookies a try! They are really good!:)

        Reply
    4.84 from 6 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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    The photo of Iryna Bychkiv, the writer and owner of a culinary website - Lavender & Macarons.

    I'm Iryna - a healthy food writer, photographer, and taster behind Lavender & Macarons. Here, you'll find healthy, clean recipes that are easy to prepare, made with wholesome ingredients, and approved by picky eaters. More about Iryna...

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