Russian Tea Cakes Recipe (2024)

Russian Tea Cakes are tender and buttery on the inside, studded with crunchy walnuts and rolled in powdered sugar. They dissolve in your mouth and you won’t be able to stop at just one.

This is also one of the easiest cookie recipes. We have perfected it over the years. Read on to learn the KEY to making the best Russian Tea Cakes.

Russian Tea Cakes Recipe (1)

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Russian tea cakes are one of our favorite Christmas cookies and a staple of holiday cookie platters, right up there with classic Sugar Cookies. Just like our Almond Snowball Cookies, these look like adorable little snowballs.

What are Russian Tea Cakes?

RussianTea Cakesare also known as Mexican Wedding Cakes or Snowball Cookies. The cookie dough contains nuts, usually walnuts or pecans which gives the cookies a nutty flavor and slight crunch.

The butter in the cookie dough makes the cookies tender and powdery and they almost dissolve in your mouth. The cookies are rolled in powdered sugar twice to give them a white coating making them look like snowballs.

Russian Tea Cakes Recipe (2)

Ingredients for Russian Tea Cakes

  • All-purpose flour – be sure the flour is measured correctly.
  • Unsalted butter – softened at room temperature. Gives the cookies a tender crumb. Forgot to soften your butter? See our tip to soften butter in 5 minutes.
  • Walnuts – toasting the walnuts until they are golden will give you the best tasting cookies. You can substitute with pecans or even pistachios. Powdered Sugar – also known as confectioners sugar. We add 1/2 cup to the batter and use more to roll the cookies.
  • Vanilla Extract – adds flavor. We love homemade vanilla extract for all of our baking.
  • Salt – balances the sweetness. Fine sea salt is our salt of choice.
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The KEY to the Best Snowball Cookies

Toast the walnuts on a dry skillet over medium heat, tossing frequently for about 5 minutes or until nuts are lightly golden and fragrant then remove to a cutting board to cool and chop the nuts. Whether you are using walnuts or pecans, toasting the nuts will really bring out their best flavor and will make your cookies even better.

Pro Tip: Nuts can burn very quickly on a skillet. Never walk away from your skillet and be sure to toss them frequently. As soon as you can smell the aroma of the nuts, they are done toasting.

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How to make Russian Tea Cakes

  1. Cream together butter, powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
  2. Add flour and salt and mix until combined and no streaks of flour remain. The mixture will be lumpy and not smooth.
  3. Add walnuts once they are cooled and chopped. Use a firm spatula to mix them in until well distributed in the dough.
  4. Shape into 1-inch balls (using a small cookie scoop makes portioning easy) and place them on a parchment or Silpat-lined baking sheet, keeping them at least an inch apart. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are very lightly browned at the base.
  5. Roll hot cookies in powdered sugar and place on a cookie platter to cool completely to room temperature.
  6. Roll cooled cookies again in powdered sugar to get an even and generous coating of powdered sugar.
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How to tell when Tea Cakes are Done?

These cookies bake up quickly. They are done when the edges of the cookies are lightly golden in color with a golden base.

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Make-Ahead

Storing at room temperature – Cookies may be stored up to 1 week in an airtight container.

To freeze Russian tea cakes – store in a freezer-safe lidded container or zip bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and enjoy.

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Common Questions

Can I omit the nuts?

You don’t have to use nuts. You can leave them out completely or fill them with a surprise such as a few butterscotch chips (my son’s favorite). If omitting nuts, I suggest adding another 1/4 cup of flour or the cookies will spread in the oven since the nuts help them keep their form.

What is the difference between Mexican wedding cookies and Russian Tea Cakes?

They are essentially the same thing and the terms are used interchangeably. At Christmas time, they are referred to as snowball cookies.

Can I use whole wheat flour?

You can sub with half whole wheat flour if you prefer. It will add flavor and color to the center of the cookies.

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More Christmas Cookies and Bars

Christmas baking is a nostalgic activity and a great time to make beautiful food memories. Explore all of our best Christmas Recipes Here and I’m sure you’ll find many new favorite cookies in this list.

  • Christmas Sugar Cookies
  • Peanut Butter Cookies
  • Lemon Bars
  • Snickerdoodle Cookies
  • Christmas Coconut Balls
  • Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

This Tea Cakes recipe was first published in January 2010. It has been updated with new photos and we shared all of our best tips for richer flavor and texture.

Russian Tea Cakes Recipe

4.99 from 278 votes

Author: Natasha Kravchuk

Russian Tea Cakes Recipe (10)

Russian tea cakes are buttery, tender, and studded with walnuts. These snowball cookies are easy to make, keep well, and are perfect for your Christmas Cookie Platter.

SavePinReviewPrint

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

Servings: 36 cookies

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 lb unsalted butter, or 16 tbsp, at room temperature
  • 1 cup walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped
  • ½ cup confectioners sugar, powdered sugar, plus 2 cups more for rolling cookies
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp salt

Instructions

Quick Prep:

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment or silicone liner.

  • Toast nuts on a dry skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes, tossing frequently until fragrant and lightly golden.

How to Make Russian Tea Cakes:

  • In a large bowl, using an electric hand mixer, cream together butter, 1/2 cup of powdered sugar, and 1 tsp of vanilla, until smooth.

  • Add flour and salt and continue mixing until no streaks of flour remain. The mixture will be lumpy. Use a firm spatula to fold in the nuts until evenly incorporated.

  • Use a firm spatula to fold in the chopped nuts until evenly incorporated.

  • Shape the dough into 1-inch balls (using a small cookie scoop to portion the dough makes the process easy) and place them on a clean baking sheet at least 1-inch apart. Bake at 400˚F for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are golden at the base.

  • Fill a bowl with 1 cup powdered sugar and roll the cookie balls in it while they are still very warm then transfer to a platter to cool completely.

  • Once cookies are at room temperature, roll them in more powdered sugar to get perfect little snowballs. Cookies may be stored up to 1 week in an airtight container.

Notes

Please Note: Nutrition label is an estimate per cookie. This recipe makes about 36 cookies.

Nutrition Per Serving

99kcal Calories7g Carbs1g Protein7g Fat3g Saturated Fat2g Polyunsaturated Fat2g Monounsaturated Fat1g Trans Fat14mg Cholesterol17mg Sodium23mg Potassium1g Fiber2g Sugar158IU Vitamin A1mg Vitamin C6mg Calcium1mg Iron

  • Full Nutrition Label
  • Nutrition Disclosure

Nutrition Facts

Russian Tea Cakes Recipe

Amount per Serving

Calories

99

% Daily Value*

Fat

7

g

11

%

Saturated Fat

3

g

19

%

Trans Fat

1

g

Polyunsaturated Fat

2

g

Monounsaturated Fat

2

g

Cholesterol

5

%

Sodium

17

mg

1

%

Potassium

23

mg

1

%

Carbohydrates

7

g

2

%

Fiber

1

g

4

%

Sugar

2

g

2

%

Protein

1

g

2

%

Vitamin A

158

IU

3

%

Vitamin C

1

mg

1

%

Calcium

6

mg

1

%

Iron

1

mg

6

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Cookies, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Mexican Wedding Cookies, Russian Tea Cakes, Snowball Cookies

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $

Calories: 99

Natasha Kravchuk

Russian Tea Cakes Recipe (11)

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

Russian Tea Cakes Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Where did Russian tea cakes originate from? ›

Some have speculated the recipes either derived from other Eastern European shortbread cookies, may have migrated to Mexico with European nuns, or may have been associated with cookies served beside Russian samovars (tea urns).

What is another name for tea cake? ›

In Kent, the teacake is known as a "huffkin", which is often flavoured with hops, especially at the time of harvesting hops in September. In Sussex, a luxurious version of the teacake with added aromatics such as nutmeg, cinnamon and rose water is still sometimes made and called a manchet or Lady Arundel's Manchet.

How many calories in a Russian tea cake? ›

101 Calories

What is special about Russian tea? ›

It was traditionally composed of black tea with lemon and sugar, orange and pineapple juices, cinnamon, clove, honey, and lemon or orange wedges for garnish. It was typically afforded only by the elite at this time and enjoyed during the cold of winter as a way to warm up.

What is the most famous Russian tea? ›

Traditionally, black tea is the most common tea in Russia, but green tea is becoming more popular.

Why is Russian cake called Russian cake? ›

There is an interesting legend of how the Russian cake got its name. The story goes that a New Orleans baker made it because he ran out of ingredients to bake a proper cake for the visit of the Russian Grand Duke Alexis when he visited the city in 1872 for Mardi Gras.

What is Louisiana Russian cake? ›

Russian Cake is prepared by mixing our almond cake, gold cake and devil's food cake with raspberry jelly, rum flavor and a hint of anise oil (licorice flavor). It is then topped with buttercream and nonpareils (aka sprinkles).

What is the white stuff in tea cakes? ›

The Tunnock's Teacake is a sweet food often served with a cup of tea or coffee. It was developed by Sir Boyd Tunnock in 1956. The product consists of a small round shortbread biscuit covered with a dome of Italian meringue, a whipped egg white concoction similar to marshmallow, although somewhat lighter in texture.

What is the slang word for cakes? ›

Another word meaning ass or butt.

What do the French call cake? ›

1. (large) gâteau m. (small) pâtisserie f.

What is the coffee cake called? ›

American Coffee cake—also referred to as gugelhupf or Austrian German: kaffekuchen—evolved from other sweet dishes from Vienna. In the 17th century, Northern/Central Europeans are thought to have come up with the idea of eating sweet cakes while drinking coffee.

Can you freeze thumbprint? ›

Yes, you can freeze thumbprint cookies — but it's best to freeze them before filling them with jam. Make and par-bake the dough, then use your thumb to press an indent into each puffed cookie.

How to bake without eggs? ›

You can whisk 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons of water and 2 teaspoons of baking powder together to replace each egg in baked goods like cookies, brownies or quick breads. This substitution won't impact a recipes' flavor profile the way egg substitutions like mashed banana or flaxseed might.

Can you freeze teacakes? ›

Suitable for home freezingTo enjoy our baking at its best, store in a cool dry place - ideally not refrigerated. Warmer conditions will reduce storage life. If freezing, freeze as soon as possible after purchase.

Why are they called Russian tea cookies? ›

Some people believe that Russian Tea Cakes originated in Eastern Europe, but as far as I could tell, they inherited the name from the 19th-century American fascination with Russian tea culture.

What is Russian candy made of? ›

In the north of the country, apples make the base for a lot of candies while in the south, sweets sweetened with grape juice are common. Creamy candies: Russians love their dairy products and therefore many of their candies feature buttery fillings and melt-in-the-mouth coatings.

What is a tea biscuit made of? ›

Traditionally, these digestive aid biscuits were made with whole grain flour, vegetable oil, baking soda, sugar, and malt extract. While this recipe has certainly stood the test of time, I'm a firm believer that every baked good tastes better with butter, so I substitute it for the vegetable oil.

What makes Russian tea different? ›

Since no one can compete with a classic glass of sweet tea, though, in the South, Russian Tea became synonymous with a hot drink flavored with oranges or lemons and spiced with vanilla, rum, cinnamon, and sometimes preserved cherries.

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