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My Russian Tea Cakes bring pure comfort to holiday gatherings. I learned this recipe standing on a kitchen chair next to my mom watching her measure ingredients with love. Now these sweet powdery bites filled with buttery goodness create magic every Christmas. The way they melt in your mouth brings back warm memories while making new ones.
Sweet Holiday Magic
Whether you call them Snowballs Wedding Cookies or Butter Balls these little treasures taste like pure joy. Their crumbly tender texture comes from just few simple ingredients mixed with care. I love how they make my kitchen smell like childhood holidays while baking bringing cozy warmth to winter afternoons.
From My Kitchen to Yours
- Sweet Butter: 1 cup soft ready for creaming magic
- Powdered Sugar: ½ cup sifted twice silky smooth
- Pure Vanilla: 1 teaspoon brings warm soul
- Fresh Flour: 2¼ cups measured gentle light
- Nutty Love: ½ cup pecans chopped fine optional joy
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Creating Cookie Dreams
- Sweet Beginning
- Mix butter sugar until fluffy clouds form add vanilla warmth.
- Flour Love
- Fold flour gentle into butter mix nuts watch dough come together.
- Shaping Joy
- Roll tiny balls place on lined pan bake until edges kiss gold.
- Sugar Magic
- Roll warm cookies then again when cool creates sweet snowy coat.
Sweet Kitchen Wisdom
Sometimes I skip nuts add tiny chocolate chips instead. Extra batches sleep happy in freezer ready for surprise guests. Making them smaller creates perfect tea time bites each one still brings pure joy.
Holiday Heart
These cookies bring such happiness to our celebrations. The way they combine tender insides powdery outsides creates perfect little bites of joy. Simple ingredients careful love making holiday magic one cookie at time.
Sweet Storage Secrets
Keep these little treasures happy in tins between layers wax paper. They stay fresh about week though rarely last that long in my house. Sometimes I tuck tin away high shelf saving surprise joy for later. Each cookie keeps its powdery coat perfect ready share whenever needed.
Perfect Gifting Love
Pack these sweet bites gentle in pretty boxes lined with tissue paper. Tie ribbon around makes everything feel special. My friends light up receiving these knowing each one made with care. Perfect little gift bringing holiday magic to neighbors friends anyone needing sweet comfort.
Making Memories Sweet
Baking these cookies fills my kitchen with pure happiness. Little hands love helping roll dough sugar coating brings giggles every time. Just like my mom taught me now I teach next generation how love goes into every bite making sweetest family traditions.
Sweet Serving Ideas
Arrange these snowy bites on grandmother's silver plate makes afternoon tea feel fancy. Set them out with hot cocoa watching powder sugar leave tiny kisses on happy faces. Sometimes I mix them other cookies creating beautiful holiday platters bringing joy every gathering.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Do I have to use nuts?
Nuts can be replaced with mini chocolate chips or toffee bits. You can also make them plain without any add-ins.
- → Why roll them twice in sugar?
First rolling when warm helps sugar stick, second coating after cooling makes them look prettier. The warm cookies absorb some of the first coating.
- → Can I make these ahead?
Make up to 4 days ahead or freeze for longer storage. They keep their texture and taste well.
- → Why is my dough too soft?
Chill dough if it's too soft to handle. Butter temperature and humidity can affect texture.
- → What nuts work best?
Pecans, walnuts or almonds all work great. Just make sure to chop them very finely for best texture.
Conclusion
Russian Tea Cakes are delightful, melt-in-your-mouth cookies that are a staple of holiday baking. Made with butter, nuts, and generously coated in powdered sugar, these cookies are known by many names including snowballs and wedding cookies.