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Easy Budget Russian Tea Cake Cookies

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These budget-friendly Russian tea cake cookies are melt-in-your-mouth buttery, nutty, and perfectly sweet. Made with simple pantry staples, they come together in about 30 minutes of active time and are perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup (60g) powdered sugar (for dough)
  • 1/2 cup (60g) powdered sugar (for rolling)
  • 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (100g) finely chopped walnuts or pecans, toasted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Toast the nuts: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread chopped nuts on a baking sheet and toast for 5-7 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden. Let cool completely.
  2. Cream the butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter with 1/2 cup powdered sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes with a mixer or 3-4 minutes by hand).
  3. Add vanilla and salt: Stir in vanilla extract and salt until combined.
  4. Mix in the flour: Gradually add flour, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Fold in the nuts: Gently fold in cooled toasted nuts until evenly distributed. Dough should be slightly crumbly but hold together when pressed.
  6. Chill the dough (optional): Cover and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes for easier handling.
  7. Shape the cookies: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll tablespoon-sized portions into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  8. Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes until bottoms are lightly golden and tops are set but still pale.
  9. First coating: Let cookies cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes. While still warm, roll each in powdered sugar.
  10. Second coating: Let cookies cool completely on a wire rack (about 20 minutes), then roll in powdered sugar again.

Notes

For best results, toast the nuts to enhance flavor. Use the two-coat method for powdered sugar: first coat while warm, second coat when completely cool. Cookies taste even better the next day. Freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: Russian tea cake cookies, budget-friendly cookies, snowball cookies, easy cookie recipe, nut cookies, butter cookies, Christmas cookies

Find it online: https://willarecipes.com/easy-budget-russian-tea-cake-cookies/