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The Best Easy, Melt-In-Your-Mouth Russian Tea Cakes Recipe (Classic Snowball Cookies)

A stack of powdered sugar-dusted russian tea cakes, with one cookie broken open revealing the crumbly texture inside.
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Make these simple, buttery Russian Tea Cakes, also known as Mexican Wedding Cookies or Snowballs. They have a crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth texture and are coated in powdered sugar, making them a classic holiday baking favorite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus 1 cup for coating
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar together until light and fluffy.
  3. Beat in the vanilla extract and salt.
  4. Gradually add the flour, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Stir in the chopped nuts by hand. The dough will be soft.
  6. Roll the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Place them 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
  7. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the bottoms are very lightly golden. The tops should remain pale.
  8. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. Once completely cool, place the remaining 1 cup of powdered sugar in a shallow dish.
  10. Roll each cookie thoroughly in the powdered sugar until fully coated.
  11. For a thicker coating, roll the cookies a second time in fresh powdered sugar after the first coating has set slightly (about 15 minutes).

Notes

  • For the best melt-in-your-mouth texture, chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling if your kitchen is warm.
  • If you are looking for alternatives to traditional baking, consider how this recipe compares to structured meal planning for consistent results.
  • Use finely chopped nuts; large pieces can cause the cookies to crumble too easily.
  • These cookies store well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://blissbatter.com/russian-tea-cakes-recipe-easy-snowball-cookies/