Friday, December 13, 2013

RUSSIAN TEA BALL COOKIES




Russian Tea Balls are the cookies that say Christmas to me!  My mother always made them at Christmastime and I could not wait to eat the sweet snowball-of-a-cookie.

Russian Tea Balls are shortbreads infused with real vanilla and tiny bits of walnuts... pure heaven!

They are so simple to make. Using few ingredients, Russian Tea Balls mix together into a mouthful of delicious Christmas flavor...






I am so thrilled to be part of...

The Everyday Home's 1st Annual "Virtual" Christmas Cookie Exchange

It's like a virtual cook book of Christmas Cookies.  Look for the list of blogs participating below.


Now, back to the tea balls...


Because these are called "tea balls" I thought they belonged in a snowy white tea cup!







MY MOM'S CHRISTMAS RUSSIAN TEA BALLS

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla (or a little more)
2  1/4 cups all purpose flour
2/3 cup walnuts or pecans, finely chopped
1/4 tsp salt
powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Mix the softened butter, powdered sugar and vanilla in a large bowl. I used a hand mixer for this job.

Add the flour, nuts and salt. Mix till combined.

The dough will be dry but can be pressed together.

Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Put on parchment lined baking sheet an inch apart.

Bake for 10-12 minutes.

 Remove cookies to a cooling rack. Slightly cool cookies and roll into powdered sugar. Place the cookies back on the cooling rack and let them totally cool. Roll them in powdered sugar when cool.


Here are a few other cookies you might like...



Remember to

CookieTourLg


Please visit the following blogs to see what cookies
they have "brought" to the Christmas Cookie Exchange...

Monday, Dec. 9th

SnowflakeBar
Tuesday, Dec. 10th
SnowflakeBar
Wednesday, Dec. 11th
SnowflakeBar
Thursday, Dec. 12th
SnowflakeBar
Friday, Dec. 13th



My sponsor Farmhouse Decor is having a big two day sale!!!!

It's my go-to shop for decorating my farmhouse!







Visit THE EVERYDAY SHOPS AND FARMHOUSE DECOR for great decor pieces at fabulous prices!!!

23 comments:

  1. I love it that most everyone in the cookie exchange are sharing old family memories as well as the recipe. Merry Christmas.

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  2. Yum, I love these cookies...it's not what we call them ( maybe I never knew their name?!) but I love them. I am adding them to my cookie baking list. Thanks for sharing, Yvonne! Now to pop over and check out the rest.
    Merry Christmas!
    Cecilia

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  3. YUMMY! These sound amazing! I'm so glad you joined the cookie exchange...I'm fixing to go try these! ~Tammy

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  4. These say Christmas to me, too - having my annual cookie exchange party on the 17th - hope I remember to take pics. These are my very favorite cookie of all time, with pecans. You take such gorgeous pictures of food, Yvonne. And you know how much I love the teacup idea -= may have to remember that one. ;- )

    Hugs.

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  5. Oh yes!!! The snowballs are the best!!! My grandmother and aunt made them as well by the tray fulls! They were a family Romanian cookie recipe and all of us loved them!!! Okay, I need to make sure I make some of these this year!
    ~Tanya

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  6. Yvonne, the Russian Tea Cookies are always a favorite!
    Thanks so much for sharing!
    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

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  7. I love snowball cookies. Thanks for reminding me of these and for the other cookie recipes. Isn't this tour great? Maybe not for our waistlines though. :) ~Jeanette

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  8. I love this cookie! I remember making them back in 1990 when student teaching with my 5th graders. This cookie is always one that I pick from a cookie tray. I've gotten so many great ideas from the cookie exchange!

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  9. I love those Russian Tea Cakes ... here in CA they are called Mexican Wedding Cakes, but have the exact same ingredients in them. I could eat a dozen of them right now.
    Hope your feeling better and doing that the Doctor say's. Take care of your self and have a great weekend.
    Mary

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  10. Those are definitely my favorite's too! I've forgotten how easy they were to make.
    Hope your healing is going well.

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  11. They look beautiful. I must try them with my shortbread mixture.
    Hugs
    Kay

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  12. Yvonne my mom and I make these every year...they're a favorite! Enjoy your weekend!

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  13. These are lovely! They look like perfect winter snowballs and love the way you have them displayed- your little trees in teacups are adorable too- ! Must try your recipe!

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  14. I love those kinds of cookies, and yours look beautiful powdery snow balls! All of your cookie recipes look like ones I would enjoy!,
    Blessings,
    Leslie

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  15. I am craving a cookie right about now...OR TWO! Yum...and so beautiful!

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  16. Mexican Wedding Cake cookies ( or Russian Tea cookies) are a family tradition that brings back a flood of cherished memories. Not only from my youth but, from the time spent when my boys were children and we'd bake them together at Christmas.
    When we were gathered together for a family dinner a few nights before my sons wedding, I made several batches of these cookies. I placed each cookie in a petite lacy cupcake liner that helped collect all that extra powder sugary fall out. Hopefully I will be able to now share this family tradition with my grandson.

    Sweet wishes,
    Sara

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    Replies
    1. Like these, its same recipe better homes and gardens

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  17. These are a tradition for my family as well. They're my SIL's most requested Christmas cookie.
    I like your presentation.
    Merry Christmas to you and your lovely family.

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  18. These are my FAVORITE cookie EVER! Thanks for posting them!

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  19. These are wonderful! Love these cookies,
    Kathy

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  20. Oh my friend...it looks like we share yet another thing in common...these little white confections are a part of Christmas each and every year since I can remember! They melt in your mouth!!!!! Your home is amazing during this holiday season and is ALWAYS amazing!!!!! I will visit more often after the crazy time is over : ) Sending you hugs and wishes for a very wonderful Christmas...hope you are feeling well and we have to talk SOON! : ) Hugs and more hugs!

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  21. Those look delicious! And I love them all piled up so cutely in that sweet teacup.

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