Description
Sweet, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth Russian Tea Cakes are the classic Christmas cookie everyone loves. Toasted pecans, vanilla, and powdered sugar come together for the perfect holiday bite.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup finely chopped toasted pecans
1 cup confectioners’ sugar (for coating)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment or silicone mat.
2. Cream butter and 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar until smooth.
3. Mix in vanilla extract.
4. Gradually add flour and salt; mix just until dough forms.
5. Stir in chopped pecans.
6. Shape dough into 1-tablespoon-sized balls and chill for 1 hour.
7. Place chilled dough balls on prepared baking sheet, spaced 1–2 inches apart.
8. Bake for 7–10 minutes until bottoms are lightly golden.
9. Cool slightly, then roll warm cookies in powdered sugar.
10. Let cookies cool completely, then roll again in powdered sugar.
11. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
Use slightly softened butter—not too soft—to maintain cookie shape.
Avoid overmixing dough to prevent toughness.
Always toast nuts to enhance flavor, but watch to prevent burning.
Double-coating in sugar is key: roll first when warm, then again after cooled.
Chop pecans finely (about 1/8 inch) for ideal texture.
Dough may feel crumbly; this is normal and will hold when pressed together.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Christmas Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 30mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg