Easy Guest-Favorite Russian Tea Cookies with Powdered Sugar
These buttery, nutty, melt-in-your-mouth Russian tea cookies are coated in a snowy layer of powdered sugar. They’re incredibly easy to make with simple ingredients and are perfect for holiday cookie exchanges, parties, or any occasion where you want to impress.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Russian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup (60g) powdered sugar, plus more for coating
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (120g) finely chopped pecans or walnuts, toasted
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Toast the nuts: Spread pecans or walnuts on a baking sheet and toast for 5-7 minutes until fragrant. Let cool completely, then chop finely.
- Cream the butter and powdered sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and ½ cup powdered sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the vanilla: Beat in vanilla extract until combined.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Gradually add to butter mixture in three additions, mixing on low speed just until combined.
- Fold in the nuts: Add chopped nuts and mix with a spatula until evenly distributed. Dough will be slightly crumbly.
- Shape the cookies: Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough (about 1 inch) and roll into balls. Place on prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes until bottoms are lightly golden and tops are set but not browned. Rotate pans halfway through.
- Cool slightly: Let cookies cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes.
- Coat in powdered sugar: While still warm, roll cookies gently in a bowl of powdered sugar. Place on a cooling rack to cool completely. Once cool, roll in powdered sugar again for a snowy finish.
Notes
Toast nuts for best flavor. Double-coat with powdered sugar for a snowy look. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Freeze unbaked dough balls for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 50
- Fat: 11
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 2
Keywords: Russian tea cookies, powdered sugar cookies, holiday cookies, easy cookie recipe, nut cookies, butter cookies, Christmas cookies