Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus extra for dusting
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup finely chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts are traditional)
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. - Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar until fluffy. You can use an electric mixer or mix by hand. - Add Vanilla:
Stir in the vanilla extract. - Combine the Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined. - Add Nuts:
Fold in the chopped nuts until evenly distributed in the dough. - Shape the Cookies:
Scoop about 1 inch of dough and roll it into a ball. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart. - Bake:
Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly browned, but the cookies remain pale on top. - Cool and Dust:
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. While they are still warm, roll them in powdered sugar to coat them well. - Cool Completely:
Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, roll them again in powdered sugar for an extra touch. - Serve:
Enjoy your Russian Tea Balls with a cup of tea or coffee!
Tips:
- You can store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- Feel free to experiment with different nuts or add chocolate chips for variation.
- For a fun twist, try adding a touch of cinnamon to the dough for added warmth!
Enjoy your homemade Russian Tea Balls!