Snowball Cookies (Russian Tea Cakes)

Snowball Cookies (Russian Tea Cakes)

Ingredients:

– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1/2 cup powdered sugar (plus more for rolling)
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
– 1/4 tsp salt
– 3/4 cup finely chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, or almonds work well)

Instructions:

1. **Preheat Oven**:
– Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
– Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

2. **Prepare the Dough**:
– In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
– Mix in the vanilla extract.
– Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until just combined.
– Fold in the finely chopped nuts.

3. **Shape the Cookies**:
– Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of the dough and roll them into balls.
– Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.

4. **Bake**:
– Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the bottoms are just starting to turn golden. The tops should remain pale.
– Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes.

5. **Roll in Powdered Sugar**:
– While the cookies are still warm, roll them in powdered sugar to coat.
– Place the sugar-coated cookies on a wire rack to cool completely.
– Once completely cooled, roll the cookies in powdered sugar again to ensure a thick, even coating.

6. **Serve**:
– Enjoy these melt-in-your-mouth cookies with a cup of tea or coffee.

These cookies are perfect for holidays or any time you want a simple, sweet treat. Would you like any variations or additional tips for this recipe?