Traveling through Russia during the winter months can be a magical experience. However, the frigid temperatures call for a hot beverage to warm up. Try a traditional Russian treat, The Russian Tea Ball, to warm your hands and soul. The Russian Tea Ball is a perfect blend of flavors that makes any gathering feel cozy. They are made primarily of black tea leaves, spices, and herbs that are rolled into a ball and steeped in a samovar or teapot. Once the tea is brewed, it can be garnished with honey, sugar, or cream. The Russian Tea Ball is a popular way to enjoy tea in Russia and is sure to be a hit at your next gathering.
Let's cook with our recipes!
RUSSIAN TEA BALLS
This takes awhile and is a labor of love but oh so worth it. These are the kind of cookie i look forward to every Christmas. YUM! (i can't remember how many this makes, so the servings are a guesstimate, as are the cooking times!)
Provided by swimmer175
Categories Dessert
Time 30m
Yield 20 cookies, 20 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Beat together butter and 1 cup powdered sugar until thouroughly mixed.
- add vanilla and almond extracts.
- stir in flour, salt, and nuts.
- Roll into balls.
- Bake at 350 until done but NOT brown. (sorry, i don't know the exact time!).
- Roll in powdered sugar while hot.
- Roll again when cold.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 189.4, Fat 13.2, SaturatedFat 6.2, Cholesterol 24.4, Sodium 124, Carbohydrate 16.4, Fiber 0.7, Sugar 6.1, Protein 2.3
RUSSIAN TEA CAKES
Provided by Anne Thornton, Host of Dessert First
Categories dessert
Time 50m
Yield 6 dozen
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a large bowl mix together the cookie dough and the pecans. Cover and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Form 1-inch balls from the chilled dough and place them 2 inches apart on cookie sheets. Bake until the edges of the cookies start to brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool for about 5 minutes.
- While the cookies are cooling, line another cookie sheet with wax paper. Sprinkle 1 cup of the confectioners' sugar on the bottom of the sheet and place the slightly cooled cookies on top of the sugar. Place the remaining 1 cup of confectioners' sugar in a passe or fine sieve and then sprinkle over the tops of the cookies.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, stir together the flour and baking powder. In a standing mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the butter with sugar until fluffy and light. Mix in the eggs, almond extract, and vanilla extract. Turn down the mixer and slowly add the flour mixture, a third at a time to make a stiff dough. Divide the dough into 4 pieces. Use 2 pieces to make cut out cookies, and the other half for the Russian Tea Cakes.
- For the cut out cookies: On a lightly floured surface roll out a portion of cookie dough to 1/4-inch thick. Cut out shapes using cookie cutters. Place the cookies on lightly greased or nonstick cookie sheets. Bake until lightly golden, about 10 minutes, rotating cookie sheet halfway through the cooking time. Cool on pans about 5 minutes, and then transfer to wire racks and cool completely.
RUSSIAN CHERRY TEACAKES
Steps:
- Cream the butter, sugar, and vanilla thoroughly. Sift together the flour and salt, add to the butter, and mix. Fold in the nuts and cherries and chill the dough for 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet (they do not spread as they bake). Bake until set but do not brown, about 10 minutes.
- While still warm but set, roll the cookies in confectioners' sugar and cool. Roll in confectioners' sugar again and bake again for 10 to 12 minutes.
RUSSIAN TEA CAKES III
Lovely little cookies that are perfect for formal parties.
Provided by Emma Radovich
Categories Desserts Cookies Butter Cookie Recipes Tea Cakes and Biscuits Recipes
Yield 24
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Combine all ingredients, mix well.
- Refrigerate dough until chilled.
- Roll dough into 1 inch balls and bake for 15 minutes in a preheated 350 degree F (175 degrees C) oven.
- Once baked, roll while still hot in confectioners' sugar until coated. Let cool. Lightly dust with more confectioners' sugar.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 151.1 calories, Carbohydrate 13.6 g, Cholesterol 20.3 mg, Fat 10.2 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 1.8 g, SaturatedFat 5.1 g, Sodium 79.1 mg, Sugar 4.2 g
RUSSIAN TEA CAKES
There's no feeling quite as blissful as your first bite of one of these cookies. Whether you call them Russian tea cakes, Mexican wedding cookies or snowballs, there's no denying that they're essential to bake during the Christmas season. A shortbread-like dough, studded with chopped nuts, bakes up to a texture that's beautifully sandy and tender, never dry or crumbling to bits. The classic finish for them is a roll through powdered sugar-just like dashing through the winter snow! Make this recipe and you'll be part of a legacy of bakers who have made Russian Tea Cakes one of the most anticipated treats of the season.
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Dessert
Time 1h15m
Yield 48
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Heat oven to 400°F.
- Mix butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar and the vanilla in large bowl. Stir in flour, nuts and salt until dough holds together.
- Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place about 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until set but not brown. Remove from cookie sheet. Cool slightly on wire rack.
- Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar; cool on wire rack. Roll in powdered sugar again.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 75, Carbohydrate 6 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 0 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 55 mg
RUSSIAN TEA CAKES I
This is a family recipe that's been made at Christmas time by at least 4 generations. This year will be the first for number 5!!! 'Bubba' brought it with her when she came from Lithuania. I pass it on in the true spirit of this season!
Provided by THEAUNT708
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Eastern European Russian
Time 35m
Yield 36
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- In a medium bowl, cream butter and vanilla until smooth. Combine the 6 tablespoons confectioners' sugar and flour; stir into the butter mixture until just blended. Mix in the chopped walnuts. Roll dough into 1 inch balls, and place them 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake for 12 minutes in the preheated oven. When cool, roll in remaining confectioners' sugar. I also like to roll mine in the sugar a second time.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 101.6 calories, Carbohydrate 8.2 g, Cholesterol 13.6 mg, Fat 7.3 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 1.3 g, SaturatedFat 3.4 g, Sodium 36.6 mg, Sugar 2.5 g
RUSSIAN TEA COOKIES
I got this recipe from a friend, and as always, I changed a few things. Her recipe called for melted butter, but I liked the texture better when it was softened, not melted. It's not "traditional," but when in Hawaii, you just gotta use macadamia nuts. But I like the a mix of pecans and walnuts the best if there are no mac nuts. These cookies are so simple to make and use basic ingredients and are a staple in my holiday goody containers. My nephews love to help me make these, because they know they get to make a mess when they roll them in powdered sugar. I like to make them bite-sized, since the big ones make a mess if you don't pop the whole thing in your mouth! The smallest cookie scooper I have is 25 mm, and they come out about less than half the size of a regular cookie scooper. The little guys bake for 7-8 minutes.
Provided by caffeine junkie
Categories Dessert
Time 25m
Yield 4 dozen
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl, cream butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until smooth. Add almond and vanilla extracts. Slowly add flour and salt to butter mixture, and mix until incorporated. Mix in pecans and walnuts.
- Use a cookie scooper to scoop the dough and then roll into balls (or use your hands to form 1" balls). Bake for 10-12 minutes. (These cookies barely brown, so if they don't look done, it's okay!).
- Roll in powdered sugar while still warm, and roll again when cool.
RUSSIAN TEA CAKES
I like to present my favorite holiday cookies in a special way. I pile these fresh-baked tea cakes on pretty plates that I buy throughout the year, then wrap them with colored cellophane to give friends. —Valerie Hudson, Mason City, Iowa
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 35m
Yield about 3-1/2 dozen.
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Combine dry ingredients; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in nuts. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours. , Roll into 1-in. balls. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 12-13 minutes. Roll in confectioners' sugar while still warm. Cool on wire racks.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 83 calories, Fat 6g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 12mg cholesterol, Sodium 49mg sodium, Carbohydrate 7g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.
RUSSIAN TEACAKE BARS
We don't like to mess with a good thing, but this creative new take on the Christmas cookie staple offers a genius shortcut (no rolling!) but all the classic flavor!
Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Dessert
Time 2h30m
Yield 64
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350°F. Line 8-inch square pan with foil, leaving foil overhanging at 2 opposite sides of pan; spray foil with cooking spray. In small bowl, mix flour, pecans, baking powder and salt; set aside.
- In large bowl, beat softened butter, granulated sugar and 1/2 cup powdered sugar with electric mixer on medium speed about 1 minute or until fluffy; scrape side of bowl. Beat in egg and vanilla. On low speed, gradually beat flour mixture into butter mixture until well blended. Spread in pan.
- Bake 32 to 37 minutes or until light brown on top and edges. Immediately sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the powdered sugar over top. Cool completely, about 1 1/2 hours.
- Remove bars from pan by lifting foil; peel foil away. Cut into 8 rows by 8 rows. Sprinkle remaining 2 tablespoons powdered sugar over top of bars before serving. Store in airtight container at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 60, Carbohydrate 7 g, Cholesterol 10 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 0 g, Protein 0 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, ServingSize 1 Bar, Sodium 35 mg, Sugar 3 g, TransFat 0 g
RUSSIAN TEA CAKES
Rolling these classic Christmas cookies in powdered sugar once while they're still warm and again when they're completely cooled ensures their snowball-like appearance.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes Cookie Recipes
Time 1h20m
Yield Makes 4 dozen
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees with racks in the upper and lower third positions.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flours and salt. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with with paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with an electric hand mixer, cream butter and 1/2 cup sugar on medium-high until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in vanilla and almond liqueur until fully combined. Add flour mixture; beat until combined.
- Using 1 rounded teaspoon of dough per cookie, roll into balls with the palms of your hands; place onto two parchment-lined baking sheets, 1 inch apart. Bake, rotating halfway through, until cookies are set and just turning golden around the edges, about 16 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cookies cool slightly on baking sheets, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, add remaining 1 cup sugar to a medium bowl. When cool enough to handle, roll a few cookies at a time in the bowl of sugar to coat. Transfer to a rack to cool completely, about 30 minutes. Roll cookies in sugar again until thoroughly coated. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Tips:
- Choose high-quality tea leaves: The quality of the tea leaves you use will greatly impact the flavor of your tea balls. Look for loose-leaf teas that are flavorful and aromatic.
- Use a variety of spices and herbs: Don't be afraid to experiment with different spices and herbs to create unique flavor combinations. Some popular choices include cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger, and mint.
- Adjust the sweetness to your liking: The amount of sugar or honey you add to your tea balls is a matter of personal preference. You can also use other sweeteners, such as stevia or maple syrup.
- Be careful not to oversteep the tea balls: Oversteeping can make the tea bitter. The ideal steeping time for tea balls is 3-5 minutes.
- Store the tea balls in an airtight container: To preserve their flavor, store the tea balls in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Conclusion:
Russian tea balls are a delicious and easy way to enjoy tea. With a variety of flavors to choose from, there's sure to be a tea ball that everyone will enjoy. So next time you're looking for a warm and comforting drink, try making a cup of Russian tea. You won't be disappointed!
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