Embark on a culinary journey with our comprehensive guide to creating delectable Russian tea cakes, a beloved confectionery treat minus the nuts. Immerse yourself in the rich history and cultural significance of these bite-sized delights, tracing their origins from the heart of Russia to their global appeal. Discover the secrets behind their unique texture and irresistible flavor profile, as we delve into the intricacies of selecting the finest ingredients, mastering the delicate balance of spices, and achieving the perfect golden-brown finish. Whether you're an experienced baker or just starting your culinary adventures, this article will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to create mouthwatering Russian tea cakes that will impress your family and friends.
Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!
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 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.
CHEF JOHN'S RUSSIAN TEA CAKES
As the old joke goes, these Russian tea cakes might not be Russian, but at least they're not cakes. No one knows exactly how these came to be known as Russian tea cakes but, nevertheless, they are quite delicious.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Desserts Cookies Butter Cookie Recipes Tea Cakes and Biscuits Recipes
Time 30m
Yield 14
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Arrange rack in center position of oven.
- Place butter, 1/3 cup packed powdered sugar, walnuts, salt, and vanilla in a bowl. Top with the flour. Mix with your clean hands until the dough starts to clump up. Keep mixing by hand until all the flour and clumps of butter are evenly mixed into the dough and it can be easily formed into balls.
- Scoop out dough and roll by hand into uniformly round balls, just slightly larger than 1 inch. Place on a rimmed baking sheet lined with a silicone baking mat about 2 inches apart.
- Bake in preheated oven until lightly golden, 15 to 25 minutes depending on the size of the cookies.
- Let cool exactly 5 minutes then roll in remaining 1 cup confectioners' sugar. Let cookies cool completely and toss them again in the confectioners' sugar.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 320.7 calories, Carbohydrate 36.1 g, Cholesterol 34.9 mg, Fat 18.8 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 3.4 g, SaturatedFat 8.9 g, Sodium 23.3 mg, Sugar 20.4 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 (NO NUTS)
These are bite-size shortbread-type cookies that are so simple and so popular. They're frequently the first cookie people will eat from my Christmas cookie tray. My mom made these every year for Christmas. She'd roll the dough into balls and we got to dunk the tops in green or red sugar crystals. Now I get to continue the tradition with my sons. My sister makes these for other holidays as well and changes the sugar color accordingly. The recipe is my mom's variation on the recipe from the old Betty Crocker "Cooky Book."
Provided by ShaGun
Categories Drop Cookies
Time 20m
Yield 48 cookies, 48 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400°F Mix butter, sugar, and vanilla or almond extract throughly. Mix in flour and salt.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls and dip the tops in the colored sugar crystals. Place on greased baking sheet. (Cookies don't spread.) Bake 10 minutes or until set but not brown. Cool.
RUSSIAN TEA CAKES
These elegant little cookies are a popular treat in Russia at the holidays. It's funny- I grew up having these at Christmas and had no idea that these holiday cookies originated in Russia! They are delicious- whether at Christmas or any other time of the year!
Provided by Sommer Clary
Categories Dessert
Time 42m
Yield 18-20 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Mix the butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar and vanilla thoroughly. Sift in the flour and the salt, stirring until combined (it will be sticky). Mix in the nuts. Place the dough on some plastic wrap and shape into a ball. Wrap and chill in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and place on a cookie sheet (cookies don't spread). Bake 10-12 minutes, or until set but not brown. While still warm, roll in the remaining powdered sugar. Set aside to cool, and then roll them one more time in the sugar before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 219.1, Fat 13.6, SaturatedFat 6.8, Cholesterol 27.1, Sodium 34.3, Carbohydrate 22.6, Fiber 0.8, Sugar 10, Protein 2.5
Tips:
- Use high-quality butter. This will give your cookies a rich, delicious flavor.
- Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This will help to incorporate air into the dough, making your cookies light and airy.
- Gradually add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. This will help to prevent the cookies from curdling.
- Stir in the flour and baking powder until just combined. Overmixing will make the cookies tough.
- Chill the dough for at least 1 hour before baking. This will help to firm up the dough and make it easier to handle.
- Bake the cookies at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to brown. Do not overbake, or the cookies will be dry and crumbly.
- Allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack before storing them in an airtight container. This will help to keep them fresh and prevent them from becoming soggy.
Conclusion:
Russian tea cakes are a delicious and festive treat that are perfect for any occasion. They are easy to make and can be customized to your liking. With a few simple tips, you can create perfect Russian tea cakes that will impress your friends and family. Enjoy your cookies!
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