Sweet & Crumbly: The Best Buttery Russian Tea Cookies Recipe

Delicate snowflakes of sweetness melt right into these buttery russian tea cookies that dance with powdered sugar perfection.

Generations of bakers have cherished this tender, crumbly treat passed down through kitchens.

Memories of warm gatherings and festive moments sparkle with each delicate bite.

A simple blend of butter, flour, and nuts creates magic in mere minutes.

These cookies practically whisper comfort and tradition with their gentle, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Dusted generously with cloud-like powdered sugar, they transform ordinary afternoons into something extraordinary.

Bake a batch and watch how quickly they disappear from the cookie plate.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 170 kcal

Servings: 24

Must-Have Ingredients for Mom’s Russian Tea Cookies

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and tender texture, choose high-quality unsalted butter for best results.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth sweetness and delicate coating, select fresh, fine-textured sugar for even mixing.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, comforting aroma, opt for pure vanilla extract for deeper flavor profile.

• All-Purpose Flour: Builds cookie structure and provides soft, crumbly texture, sift to eliminate lumps.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine-grain table salt for even distribution.

• Chopped Nuts: Introduces delightful crunch and nutty undertones, select fresh, crisp walnuts or pecans for optimal taste and texture.

Tools That Help You Shape Russian Tea Cookies

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining butter, sugar, and other ingredients.
• Electric mixer or hand mixer: Helps beat butter and sugar to light, creamy consistency.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements for flour, sugar, and vanilla.
• Baking sheet: Flat surface for baking cookies evenly.
• Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Spatula or wooden spoon: Helpful for folding nuts and mixing dough.
• Cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly after baking.
• Small bowl: Used for rolling cookies in powdered sugar.

How to Bake Mom’s Russian Tea Cookies Just Right

• Whip Up the Base

Grab a big mixing bowl and blend soft butter with powdered sugar until super fluffy and light. Pour in vanilla for an extra flavor punch. Gradually fold in flour and a pinch of salt, mixing gently until everything looks perfectly combined. Toss in chopped nuts for a delightful crunch, ensuring they’re evenly spread throughout the dough. Pop the mixture into the fridge for a quick 30-minute chill.

• Shape and Bake the Treats

Heat your oven to a toasty 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll the chilled dough into adorable bite-sized balls, spacing them comfortably apart. Slide the tray into the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges turn a gorgeous golden color and the cookies look set.

• Sugar Coat the Cookies

Let the freshly baked cookies rest for a few minutes. While they’re still warm, lovingly roll each cookie in a generous dusting of powdered sugar. Once they’ve cooled completely, give them another luxurious roll in powdered sugar to create those classic snowball-like treats that melt in your mouth.

Spice and Nut Options for These Classic Cookies

• Swap walnuts with pecans, almonds, or pistachios for unique flavor profiles and texture variations.
• Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Prepare dough in advance and refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months, perfect for stress-free baking.
• Add a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom to the dough for extra warmth and complexity in the cookie's taste.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Serve Mom’s Russian Tea Cookies With Warm Drinks

• Festive Holiday Platter: Arrange the Russian tea cookies on a decorative holiday plate, dusted with extra powdered sugar for a snowy appearance that sparkles under party lights.
• Cozy Coffee Companion: Serve these delicate cookies alongside a steaming mug of rich espresso or smooth hot chocolate, creating a perfect afternoon treat for relaxing moments.
• Gift-Worthy Presentation: Package the cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons, making them an adorable homemade gift for neighbors, teachers, or holiday gatherings.
• Tea Time Elegance: Display the cookies on a vintage china plate with delicate porcelain teacups, creating a classic and elegant dessert experience during afternoon tea sessions.

Tips to Store Russian Tea Cookies for Later

• Place cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, then store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months, ensuring delightful treats are always ready.
• Keep cookies at room temperature in sealed containers for 5-7 days, maintaining their delicate texture and melt-in-your-mouth quality.
• Prepare cookie dough up to 3 days in advance, storing it tightly wrapped in the refrigerator, allowing for quick and convenient baking when craving strikes.

Buttery Russian Tea Cookies Recipe

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4.5 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Powdery Russian Tea Cookies sprinkle nostalgia across holiday gatherings with delicate walnut-studded shortbread that melts instantly on your palate. Generations of family memories nestle within each crumbly, sugar-dusted bite, inviting warm connections around cherished traditions.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (90 g) finely chopped pecans or walnuts
• ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar (plus extra for rolling)
• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Dough Preparation: Cream butter and powdered sugar until fluffy, blending in vanilla extract. Gradually incorporate flour and salt, mixing until just combined. Gently fold chopped nuts throughout the mixture, ensuring even distribution. Wrap dough and refrigerate for half an hour to firm up.
2. Shaping and Baking: Heat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheet with parchment paper. Craft dough into compact 1-inch spheres, positioning them with slight separation. Bake 12-15 minutes until edges turn delicately golden and cookies appear set.
3. Sugaring Process: Allow cookies to rest momentarily after removing from oven. While still warm, delicately enrobe each cookie in powdered sugar, creating a soft, cloud-like coating. Once completely cooled, repeat the powdered sugar dusting to achieve a pristine, snow-kissed appearance. The double coating ensures a luxurious, powdery finish that melts in your mouth.

Notes

• Refrigerate the dough for exactly 30 minutes to prevent spreading and maintain the cookies’ signature round shape during baking.
• Roll cookies in powdered sugar while still warm for the first coating, but ensure complete cooling before the second dusting to achieve a perfect, even snow-white exterior.
• Use finely chopped pecans or walnuts for the best texture and flavor balance; ensure nuts are room temperature and evenly distributed throughout the dough.
• Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent cookies from sticking and ensure easy removal without breaking their delicate structure.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Russian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg