Tea Cakes: Jump to Recipe
I have heard these called by a ton of different names. Regardless of what you call these cookies they are simply the best. On top of being delicious on their own I have a special sort of appreciation for any dessert that pairs well with coffee. Snowballs, Russian tea cakes, or in my family Swedish tea cakes. What are these cookies really?! They are addicting, I at least know that. They are a perfect cookie for the holidays because they are easy to make and always turn out looking good. If you are planning on bringing them to a cookie party or a holiday gathering they travel really well also because there is no frosting that can get smooshed or broken!
As a kid it was always my job to roll these cookies in the powdered sugar. I always have a fond feeling towards the recipes that I have been making since childhood. I had those specific jobs that my mom would let me help with, so I could participate in the holidays
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup softened butter(room temp)
- 1 cup super finely chopped nuts
- 3 tbps powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar reserve for after baking
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Add first 5 ingredients to bowl of stand mixer. Blend on low speed until firm dough ball develops. This will take quite a bit....like 5 minutes. It will take longer if your butter is not very soft.
Scoop with small cookie scooper or roll by hand into inch balls.
Place on cookie sheet.
Bake 325 for 20 minutes or until just starting to brown.
Take out of oven and immediately roll in powdered sugar. Place remaining 1 cup powdered sugar in small cereal size bowl. Take cookies directly from pan about one at a time and roll in bowl of powdered sugar. I use a spoon to help roll (so I don't burn my fingers) as the cookies are very hot and the powdered sugar melts a little bit. Place on cooling rack to cool completely.
When cookies are completely cooled. Roll each individual cookie a second time in powdered sugar. This makes the cookies extra white and pretty.
* see below notes if you don't own a stand mixer .....or order my favorite stand mixer from our shop page
*If you don't own a stand mixer you can still make these delish cookies!!
Hand mixer.....just place first 5 ingredients in large mixing bowl and blend on low speed with a hand mixer until a dough ball forms
By Hand....I made these cookies for years this way. Make sure you butter is well softened(but not melted....do not use microwave to soften). Add first five ingredients to large mixing bowl. Cream and blend with large mixing spoon until dough ball forms. This will take a will and will count as your gym workout for the day!!
Most of the time I double this recipe, cause 24 cookies just don"t seem to last over night!!
Happy Holidays Internet family! We hope you enjoy this little piece of our tradition. Remember to stop and enjoy the season. Don’t get too wrapped up in the material pressures and make sure you hug your family extra tight.
Happy Holidays from POG!
Just made these! Great cookie!