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.

Russian Tea Cakes Recipe (8)

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

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

Why are they called Russian tea cakes? ›

Originating in Russia, as the name suggests, this cookie was intended to be a dessert to accompany teatime, similar to the way the English enjoy tea with pastries. It is not credited to being invented by any particular person since the whole point of the cookies is that anybody can make them.

What country are tea cakes from? ›

Tea cakes can trace their origin back to Great Britain where “afternoon tea” is still a part of everyday life. Afternoon tea began in the 1840s as a tradition of having a tea in the afternoons as a way to stave off hunger until the dinner meal was served.

What is the difference between cake and Teacake? ›

Tea cakesare typically denser than sponge cakes as they contain more butter and are often made with a lower amount of rising agents like baking powder.

Can you freeze tea cakes? ›

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.

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).

Why do they call them Mexican wedding cookies? ›

History of Mexican Wedding Cookies

As Spanish colonizers brought these recipes to Mexico, they seamlessly integrated into the local culinary landscape. The cookie's association with weddings stems from its sweet symbolism of happiness, unity, and the joyful occasions surrounding matrimony.

What is a Chinese tea cake? ›

Compressed tea, called tea bricks, tea cakes or tea lumps, and tea nuggets according to the shape and size, are blocks of whole or finely ground black tea, green tea, or post-fermented tea leaves that have been packed in molds and pressed into block form.

Are tea cakes and hot cross buns the same? ›

Teacakes are often larger and flatter with a slightly harder consistency, meaning they can be enjoyed with a range of condiments, including jams and marmalades. A Hot Cross Bun is softer, with more spices baked in, so is often just enjoyed with butter.

What were cookies called in the 1800s? ›

The first American cookies that showed up in cook books had creative names like Jumbles, Plunkets and Cry Babies which gave no clue to what was inside the cookie. As the expansion of technology grew in the United States, new ingredients started to show up in cookie recipes.

Why is it called wife cake? ›

Another story tells of a dim sum chef's wife creating a pastry with wintermelon paste influenced by a recipe from her mother's family. The new pastry was found to taste better than the dim sums that were being sold in teahouses, and the chef proudly told everyone it was made by his wife, hence it was named "Wife Cake".

What is a womans cake? ›

Referring to a beautifully shaped booty: In slang, "cake" can be used to describe a very nicely shaped buttocks. It is often used as a compliment [1].

What cake is wedding cake? ›

White cake is currently the most popular wedding cake flavor in the US, but different flavors of filling can be added between layers. Chocolate, carrot, Italian Rum and Italian Cream are also popular choices. Wedding cakes based on flavor include chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry.

What is the shelf life of tea cakes? ›

Tea Cakes and brownies have average shelf life of 3-4 days if kept outside in AC room, wheres in fridge they will last for around 10 days. Other items have long shelf life of 40-80days.

What cakes can you not freeze? ›

You can't freeze and defrost a fondant covered cake as the moisture in the freezer makes the fondant sticky. Buttercream on the other hand freezes very well for cakes that have already been decorated.

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.

How did Russian tea get its name? ›

Despite the name, "Russian Tea" probably has no link to its namesake. References to "Russian Tea" and instructions have been found in American newspapers and cookbooks dating as early as the 1880s.

Why is Tea Cake called Tea Cake? ›

Outside the South, the words “tea cake” mean any cake served with tea. But to Southerners, tea cakes are more than that. They are the nostalgic cookies—crispy and golden around the edges, soft and cake-like inside—that are perfect for tea, or just about anything else you choose to drink.

Why is it called the Russian tea room? ›

Despite its name, the Russian Tea room isn't Russian at all. It's actually owned by a financial group incorporated in New York state. It was opened in 1927 by, perhaps apocryphally, “White Russian expatriates who had fled the Bolsheviks,” according to the restaurant's website.

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