15 Russian Tea Cakes Easy Recipe Elevate Your Taste Buds!
Published on: Mar 6, 2024
Russian tea cakes, also known as Russian tea cookies or snowball cookies, are a delightful treat that originated in Eastern Europe. These bite-sized, delicate cookies are made with simple ingredients and are easy to prepare, making them a popular choice for holiday gatherings and afternoon tea. In this article, we will share an easy recipe for making delicious Russian tea cakes that will surely become a staple in your dessert repertoire.
Known by many names such as snowballs, butterballs, and wedding cookies, Russian tea cakes are a beloved treat that originated in Russia and have since spread around the world. These delicate, bite-sized cookies are a staple during the holiday season and are often served at tea parties and gatherings. Made with simple ingredients like butter, flour, and powdered sugar, Russian tea cakes are easy to make and can be customized with different flavors and toppings. Here are 8 delicious recipes for Russian tea cakes that will have you reaching for more.
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Russian Tea Cakes Cookie
Main Ingredients: Butter, Vanilla Extract, Flour, Confectioners Sugar
If you're looking for a classic Russian tea cakes recipe, this is the one for you. Made with just 5 ingredients, these cookies are buttery, nutty, and melt in your mouth. The key to achieving the perfect texture is to use room temperature butter and to roll the dough into small balls. For an extra twist, you can add chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the dough before baking. Serve these cookies with a warm cup of tea or coffee for a delightful snack.
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Russian Tea Cakes I
Main Ingredients: Butter, Vanilla Extract, Confectioners Sugar, All
This recipe takes the traditional Russian tea cakes to the next level with the addition of almond extract and chopped almonds. The almond flavor adds a delicious twist to the buttery and sweet cookies, making them irresistible. I recommend using blanched almonds for a more delicate texture and appearance. These cookies are perfect for Christmas or any special occasion, and they also make great homemade gifts.
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Christmas Russian Tea Cakes
Main Ingredients: Unsalted Butter, Powdered Sugar, Sea Salt, Vanilla
Get into the holiday spirit with these festive Christmas Russian tea cakes. The addition of dried cranberries and orange zest gives these cookies a burst of flavor and a pop of color. The tartness of the cranberries balances out the sweetness of the cookies, making them a perfect treat for the holiday season. For a more indulgent version, you can drizzle some white chocolate over the cookies after they have cooled down.
Don't let dietary restrictions stop you from enjoying these delicious Russian tea cakes. This vegan recipe uses dairy-free butter and almond milk to achieve the same rich and buttery texture. You can also use vegan powdered sugar or make your own by blending regular sugar with cornstarch. These cookies are perfect for vegans and non-vegans alike, and they are just as tasty as the traditional version.
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Russian Tea Cakes (Snowballs)
Main Ingredients: Unsalted Butter, Powdered Sugar, Vanilla Extract
These Russian tea cakes, also known as snowballs, are a classic holiday treat that will melt in your mouth. The secret to their perfect texture is to roll them in powdered sugar while they are still warm, which creates a sweet and delicate coating. For a fun twist, you can use different types of nuts such as pecans or hazelnuts, or add some chocolate chips to the dough. These cookies are perfect for snacking on while watching a Christmas movie.
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Easy Russian Tea Cakes
Main Ingredients: Sugar Cookie Mix, Gold Medal All Purpose Flour, Butter
If you're short on time but still want to enjoy some delicious Russian tea cakes, this easy recipe is for you. Made with a boxed white cake mix, these cookies come together in no time and require minimal effort. The cake mix adds a subtle vanilla flavor to the cookies, while the powdered sugar coating gives them the signature Russian tea cake look. These cookies are great for last-minute gatherings or when you're craving something sweet.
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Snowballs (Russian Tea Cakes)
Main Ingredients: Butter, Vanilla, Confectioners Sugar, All Purpose
This recipe puts a twist on the classic Russian tea cakes by adding a splash of amaretto to the dough. The almond liqueur adds a subtle nutty flavor to the cookies and elevates their taste. You can also use other liqueurs such as Kahlua or Bailey's for a different twist. These snowballs make a great addition to any holiday cookie platter and will impress your guests with their unique flavor.
Ingredients:
1. 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2. 1/2 cup powdered sugar
3. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4. 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
5. 1/4 teaspoon salt
6. 3/4 cup finely chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds)
7. Additional powdered sugar for rolling
Making Russian tea cakes is as easy as 1, 2, 3! These cookies require only a handful of ingredients and minimal effort, yet they yield a delicious and impressive result. The key to achieving the perfect texture for these cookies is to use softened butter, not melted. Softened butter should be at room temperature and slightly firm, but still easy to press with your finger. This will ensure that the dough holds its shape and does not spread too much during baking.
Powdered sugar is an essential ingredient in Russian tea cakes, as it adds sweetness and also helps to create a tender and delicate texture. We recommend sifting the powdered sugar before using it to avoid any lumps in the dough.
The vanilla extract adds a warm and comforting flavor to these cookies, making them perfect for the winter season. You can also experiment with other flavorings such as almond extract or citrus zest for a unique twist.
For the dry ingredients, we use all-purpose flour and a pinch of salt. The salt helps to balance out the sweetness and adds depth of flavor to the cookies.
Finally, the chopped nuts are what gives these cookies their signature crunch and nutty flavor. You can use any type of nuts that you prefer, or even a combination of different nuts for added texture.
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add in the vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
4. Gradually add in the flour and salt, and mix until a soft dough forms.
5. Fold in the chopped nuts until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
6. Roll the dough into 1 inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden.
8. Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before rolling them in additional powdered sugar while they are still warm.
9. Once completely cooled, roll the cookies in powdered sugar again for a snow-like appearance.
10. Enjoy your homemade Russian tea cakes with a warm cup of tea or coffee!
With this easy recipe, you can make a batch of Russian tea cakes in no time and impress your friends and family with your baking skills. These cookies also make great gifts during the holiday season, as they can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week. So why not give this recipe a try and add these delicious treats to your holiday dessert spread?
