russian tea balls

Name: Russian Tea Balls
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cup(s) butter, softened; 4 cup(s) all-purpose flour; 4 cup(s) walnuts, chopped; 1 cup(s) granulated sugar; 4 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon(s) salt; powdered sugar for rolling

(5 RATINGS)

2.15K Pinches 10 Photos

Terry Brooks

Lynn Haven, FL

Updated on Nov 25, 2025

My mom has been making these for Christmas ever since I can remember! It's just not Christmas until I make them.

Rate

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Tender and buttery, these Russian tea cake cookies are delicious. They literally melt in your mouth. Filled with chopped walnuts, there is a nice crunch. The cookie itself isn't overly sweet. Generously dusting them with powdered sugar adds just the right amount of sweetness. Some may know these as snowball cookies or Mexican wedding cookies. We agree with Terry that they're a must-make at Christmas. The recipe makes a lot of cookies that can be given as gifts.

— The Test Kitchen

prep time 15 Min

cook time 20 Min

method Bake

yield Makes 6 1/2 dozen

Ingredients

2 cups butter, softened
4 cups all-purpose flour
4 cups walnuts, chopped
1 cup granulated sugar
4 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon salt
powdered sugar for rolling

How To Make russian tea balls

Step 1

Cream the butter, sugar, and vanilla until fluffy and light.

Step 2

Mix together flour and salt.
Step 3

Add flour mixture to the creamed mixture a little at a time.
Step 4

Stir in the nuts.
Step 5

Shape into 1" balls and place 1 1/2" apart on a cookie sheet.
Step 6

Bake for 20 min at 325 degrees.
Step 7

Cool on a cooling rack. Then roll in powdered sugar.
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Nutrition Facts

(per serving*)

calories: 115kcal, carbohydrates: 8g, cholesterol: 13mg, fat: 9g, fiber: 1g, protein: 2g, saturated fat: 3g, sodium: 68mg, sugar: 3g, unsaturated fat: 5g

*Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Nutrition information is estimated.

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