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Home » Type » Desserts » Cookies » Russian Tea Cakes (aka Snowball Cookies)

Russian Tea Cakes (aka Snowball Cookies)

December 16, 2020 by Faith 138 Comments

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
DSC_6636(small)

Russian Tea Cakes are rich and buttery cookies with a texture similar to shortbread. They’re quick and easy to make and very festive coated in powdered sugar, which looks like snow!

Snowball Cookies in Cookie Tin with Wax Paper

For the last day of my 7 Days of Festive Holiday Treats even, I wanted to share a cookie from my childhood.

My mom has made Russian Tea Cakes/Snowball Cookies every Christmas for as long as I can remember. Which, oddly enough, has nothing to do with the fact that my family is Russian on my dad’s side and “Russian” is in the title of these cookies. (And I have no idea whether these cookies are authentically Russian or not!)

My mom usually refers to them as Butter Balls anyway, lol.

7daysoffestiveholidaytreats

I like to think of these cookies as a sweeter version of shortbread cookies, as a wink and a nudge to my mom’s Scottish roots. They really are very much like shortbread, with the addition of nuts and being rolled in powdered sugar.

These cookies are wonderful; rich and buttery, and so pretty coated in powdered sugar. If you enjoy shortbread, I think you’ll really enjoy these.

Russian Tea Cakes Recipe with Description

In This Article

  • What Are Russian Tea Cakes?
  • Russian Tea Cakes aka Snowball Cookies Recipe
  • How to Make Snowballs or Russian Tea Cakes
  • FAQs
  • 7 Days of Festive Holiday Treats on An Edible Mosaic
  • More Sweet Festive Treats to Try:
  • Russian Tea Cakes (aka Snowball Cookies)
  • : : GIVEAWAY : :

What Are Russian Tea Cakes?

Russian Tea Cakes are actually cookies! They are easy to make with a relatively short ingredient list, usually containing flour, butter, nuts, and sugar.

Russian Tea Cakes are typically rolled in powdered sugar while they’re still hot and then cooled to room temperature, and rolled in powdered sugar a second time.

Butter Balls Cookies with Red Christmas Ornament

Other Names for Russian Tea Cakes

You might know Russian Tea Cakes as Mexican Wedding Cakes, Snowball Cookies, and Italian Butterball Cookies.

Are there any other names out there for these little treats? If so, please tell me in the comments below! I know I’m probably forgetting a few.

Russian Tea Cakes Cookies on Small Plate on Top of Books

Russian Tea Cakes aka Snowball Cookies Recipe

Snowball Cookies are so easy to make! The dough is basically mixed up and then rolled into balls and baked. And then of course rolled in powdered sugar!

How to Make Snowballs or Russian Tea Cakes

Ingredients for Russian Tea Cakes

Get out the ingredients to make Russian Tea Cakes, also called Snowball Cookies.

Butter Powdered Sugar and Vanilla

Add the butter, powdered sugar and vanilla to a large bowl.

Pro Tip: Your butter should be softened, but not fully melted.

Creaming Together Butter and Powdered Sugar

You can use an electric beater or just mix the dough by hand.

Mixing Flour and Nuts Into Russian Tea Cakes Cookie Dough

Stir in the flour, salt, and chopped nuts. The dough will be fairly thick and crumbly, but you should be able to shape it into balls when you squeeze it.

Russian Tea Cakes Cookie Dough

Shape the dough into 1-tablespoon size balls with a scoop, and then roll them until smooth.

Scooping Cookie Dough onto Tray

Arrange the dough balls on a large cookie sheet.

Russian Tea Cakes on Tray Ready to Bake

Bake the cookies until they’re set and golden brown on the bottom.

Baked Mexican Wedding Cookies on Tray

Carefully roll the warm cookies in powdered sugar.

Italian Butterball Cookies in Powdered Sugar

Place the rolled cookies on a wire rack to cool completely.

Snowball Cookies Dusted in Powdered Sugar on Wire Rack

Once the cookies are cooled, roll them again in powdered sugar.

Russian Tea Cakes Coated in Powdered Sugar

Pro Tip: Instead of rolling Russian Tea Cakes in powdered sugar a second time, you can generously sift powdered sugar on top once they’re cooled.

Russian Tea Cakes on Silver Plate

FAQs

How Do I Store Russian Tea Cakes?

  1. Make sure the cookies are cooled to room temperature.
  2. Layer the cookies between wax paper in an airtight container.
  3. Store them at room temperature for up to 1 week. Alternatively, you can store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Italian Butterballs Cookies

Do Snowball Cookies Ship Well?

Yes! These cookies are firm and circular so they’re not prone to breaking when shipped.

When shipping, be sure to store them well-wrapped in an air-tight container to keep them as fresh as possible.

What Kind of Nuts Are Usually Used in Mexican Wedding Cakes?

Pecans are the nuts most often found in Mexican Wedding Cakes.

My mom always used walnuts when she made these cookies, referring to them as Butter Balls Cookies.

I like to play around with the type of nut when I make Russian Tea Cakes. Hazelnuts and almonds are a couple of my favorites.


DSC_6641(small)

Top View of Butterballs with Coffee

7 Days of Festive Holiday Treats on An Edible Mosaic

And just in case you missed a post, here my first six recipes for this event:

  • Dark Chocolate Coated Cranberry Cake Bites
  • Peanut Butter Banana Bread Whoopie Pies {vegan; grain-free; naturally-sweetened}
  • Coconut-Vanilla “Honey” Syrup {vegan}
  • Cranberry Flax Cookies {naturally-sweetened}
  • Nutty Biscotti
  • Gingersnap + White Chocolate Truffles

Close Up of Russian Tea Cakes

More Sweet Festive Treats to Try:

  • Chocolate Covered Cherries
  • Ma’amoul (Middle Eastern Date Filled Cookies)
  • Quick and Easy Chocolate Fudge
  • Chocolate Covered Sponge Candy
  • No Bake Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake Bites
  • Chocolate Rum Balls
  • No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Haystacks
  • Cranberry Oatmeal Bars
  • Chocolate Peppermint Bark
DSC_6661(small)

Russian Tea Cakes Recipe in Cookie Tin

Did you make this recipe? Please rate it and leave a comment below because I love hearing from you! You can also tag @anediblemosaic on social media. To stay up-to-date FOLLOW ME on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Xoxo, Faith

Snowball Cookies in Cookie Tin with Wax Paper

Russian Tea Cakes (aka Snowball Cookies)

By: Faith Gorsky
Russian Tea Cakes are rich and buttery cookies with a texture similar to shortbread. They're quick and easy to make and very festive coated in powdered sugar, which looks like snow!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 22 mins
Cook Time 12 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings
Calories 328 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened but not melted
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar divided
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup hazelnuts finely chopped (or walnuts, pecans, or almonds)
  • 1/4 + 1/8 teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400F.
  • Mix together the butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl.
  • Stir in the flour, nuts, and salt until the dough holds together when squeezed.
  • Shape the dough into 1-tablespoon-sized balls and roll the balls between your hands until smooth.
  • Place the cookies about 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
  • Bake until the cookies are set and golden brown on the bottom, about 10 to 12 minutes.
  • While they’re still warm, roll the cookies in the remaining 1 cup powdered sugar.
  • Place the cookies on a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Roll the cookies in powdered sugar a second time.

Video

Faith's Tips

  • This recipe makes 36 cookies, which is 12 servings. Each serving is 3 cookies.
  • The butter should be softened, but not fully melted.
  • Instead of rolling these cookies in powdered sugar a second time, you can generously sift powdered sugar on top once they're cooled.
  • Store Russian Tea Cakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Russian Tea Cakes (aka Snowball Cookies)
Amount Per Serving (3 cookies)
Calories 328 Calories from Fat 180
% Daily Value*
Fat 20g31%
Saturated Fat 10g63%
Cholesterol 41mg14%
Sodium 3mg0%
Potassium 81mg2%
Carbohydrates 34g11%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 15g17%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 473IU9%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 17mg2%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Keyword Butter Balls Cookies, Italian Butterball Cookies, Mexican Wedding Cakes, Russian Tea Cakes,, Snowball Cookies
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

Russian Tea Cakes Pin

: : GIVEAWAY : :

King Arthur Flour is very kindly giving away a $25 gift certificate to one lucky winner for their online shop, where they have just about every baking ingredient that you can imagine!

You do not need to have a blog to enter this giveaway! To participate, you can do any of the following (please leave a separate comment for each so I can count them as separate entries):

  1. Leave a comment telling me your favorite festive recipe – it could be anything from brunch to dessert, or anything in between!
  2. Like King Arthur Flour on Facebook and leave a comment here telling me you did.
  3. Like An Edible Mosaic on Facebook and leave a comment here telling me you did.
  4. Share this giveaway on Twitter and leave a comment here.

This giveaway ends Friday, December 21, 2012 at 5AM EST; after that the winner will be randomly selected and notified by email. Good luck to all!

This post was first published on An Edible Mosaic on December 18, 2012. I updated it with new photos and more information on December 16, 2020. 

Disclosure: I received a sampling of Redpack products to try for free from Red Gold, and they are also sponsoring this giveaway. As always, opinions stated are my own. This post contains Amazon affiliate links to products I believe in, which means that even though it doesn’t cost you anything extra, I will receive a small amount of money from the sale of these items, which helps me keep this site alive – thank you for helping to support An Edible Mosaic!

Filed Under: Christmas, Cookies Tagged: Baking, Butter Balls Cookies, Christmas, Cookies, Cookies for a Cookie Exchange, Holiday Baking, Holiday Cookies, Italian Butterball Cookies, Mexican Wedding Cakes, Recipes, Russian Tea Cakes, Snowball Cookies

Comments

  1. Maggie S. says

    December 20, 2012 at 10:31 am

    Already liked you on FB;)

    Reply
  2. Alicia K says

    December 20, 2012 at 9:57 am

    I shared the giveaway on twitter!

    Reply
  3. Alicia K says

    December 20, 2012 at 9:56 am

    My favorite festive recipe is for divinity!

    Reply
  4. Alicia K says

    December 20, 2012 at 9:55 am

    I liked King Arthur on facebook

    Reply
  5. Alicia K says

    December 20, 2012 at 9:54 am

    I liked you on Facebook

    Reply
  6. terri mitchell says

    December 20, 2012 at 9:08 am

    I liked and love King Arthur on F B!!

    Reply
  7. coco says

    December 20, 2012 at 9:07 am

    I like ginger cookies! :)

    these russian tea cakes look amazing! really want to grab one!

    Reply
  8. Gianna says

    December 20, 2012 at 12:13 am

    I love soft sugar cookies.

    Reply
  9. Kristin says

    December 19, 2012 at 6:53 pm

    I like your page on Facebook!

    Reply
  10. Kristin says

    December 19, 2012 at 6:53 pm

    I only make pecan pie at Christmas…it always puts me in the spirit!

    Reply
  11. Kim says

    December 19, 2012 at 5:16 pm

    eggnog cinnamon rolls which we have every christmas morning!

    Reply
  12. grace says

    December 19, 2012 at 5:11 pm

    these cookies have so many names, but they’re so tasty!
    my favorite festive recipe is lame, but i love gingerbread cookies. :)

    Reply
  13. rachel says

    December 19, 2012 at 4:05 pm

    A buche noel log! It’s so delicious and Christmas-y

    Reply
  14. Terri A. says

    December 19, 2012 at 12:46 pm

    I like An Edible Mosaic on Facebook

    Reply
  15. Terri A. says

    December 19, 2012 at 12:45 pm

    I like KAF on Facebook

    Reply
  16. Terri A. says

    December 19, 2012 at 12:45 pm

    Snickerdoodles!

    Reply
  17. Claire L says

    December 19, 2012 at 10:17 am

    Snickerdoodles!

    Reply
  18. Kate M says

    December 19, 2012 at 9:52 am

    My favorite festive food is risotto. I realize it’s not exclusively “festive”, but since it does take a little time to prepare I usually only make it for special occasions. I love the creamy texture and the flavors are so rich and delicious. My favorite is pumpkin risotto (from Spoon Fork Bacon blog), followed closely by pot roast risotto (from Tyler Florence).

    Reply
  19. Kate M says

    December 19, 2012 at 9:50 am

    I liked An Edible Mosaic on Facebook

    Reply
  20. Kate M says

    December 19, 2012 at 9:49 am

    I liked King Arthur Flour on Facebook

    Reply
  21. Sarah H.P. says

    December 19, 2012 at 9:48 am

    I like An Edible Mosaic on Facebook!

    Reply
  22. Sarah H.P. says

    December 19, 2012 at 9:46 am

    My favorite festive recipe is my Mom’s homemade butter cookies!

    Reply
  23. Jessica says

    December 19, 2012 at 9:40 am

    (and I also liked An Edible Mosaic on facebook!)

    Reply
  24. Jessica says

    December 19, 2012 at 9:39 am

    My favorite festive dessert are my family’s apricot cookies. They are absolutely the best!

    Reply
  25. Denise Wilson says

    December 19, 2012 at 8:58 am

    I am a fan of your page on facebook

    Reply
  26. Denise Wilson says

    December 19, 2012 at 8:56 am

    I love pumpkin oatmeal cookies

    Reply
  27. marilyn says

    December 19, 2012 at 8:33 am

    Love Eggs Benedict! Also love Russian Tea Cakes!

    Reply
  28. Cindy Brickley says

    December 19, 2012 at 7:14 am

    I shared this giveaway on Twitter.

    Reply
  29. Cindy Brickley says

    December 19, 2012 at 7:13 am

    I Like An Edible Mosaic on Facebook.

    Reply
  30. Cindy Brickley says

    December 19, 2012 at 7:13 am

    I Like King Arthur Flour on Facebook.

    Reply
  31. Cindy Brickley says

    December 19, 2012 at 7:11 am

    I like to make a festive Holiday Bread Wreath.

    Reply
  32. Shirley A says

    December 19, 2012 at 6:03 am

    My favorite Holiday treat is cinnamon cookies.

    Reply
  33. Amy Tong says

    December 19, 2012 at 2:35 am

    Liked An Edible Mosaic on Facebook

    amy [at] utry [dot] it

    Reply
  34. Amy Tong says

    December 19, 2012 at 2:34 am

    Liked King Arthur Flour on Facebook

    amy [at] utry [dot] it

    Reply
  35. Amy Tong says

    December 19, 2012 at 2:34 am

    My favorite festive recipe is Chocolate Yule Log. I make at least one every Christmas.

    Reply
  36. Kelly G says

    December 19, 2012 at 2:10 am

    I like Edible Mosaic on fb

    Reply
  37. Kelly G says

    December 19, 2012 at 2:09 am

    I like King Arthur Flour on fb

    Reply
  38. Kelly G says

    December 19, 2012 at 2:08 am

    I like you on fb

    Reply
  39. Kelly G says

    December 19, 2012 at 2:08 am

    I love oreo truffles

    Reply
  40. Ron says

    December 19, 2012 at 12:15 am

    glazed pecans

    Reply
  41. Julia {The Roasted Root} says

    December 18, 2012 at 11:41 pm

    My family makes Russian tea cakes every year at our baking extravaganza! Yours look great and I’ll have to give your recipe a go!

    Reply
  42. Andrea D. says

    December 18, 2012 at 11:25 pm

    I am a facebook fan of yours. Thanks for the chance to enter.

    Reply
  43. Andrea D. says

    December 18, 2012 at 11:24 pm

    I am a facebook fan of King Arthur Flour. Thanks for the chance to enter.

    Reply
  44. Laura (Tutti Dolci) says

    December 18, 2012 at 11:24 pm

    I’m a fan on Facebook!

    Reply
  45. Amanda Thompson says

    December 18, 2012 at 11:24 pm

    I love Cranberry Orange Cookies at Christmas time!

    Reply
  46. Andrea D. says

    December 18, 2012 at 11:22 pm

    I love Peanut Butter Cup Cookies. Thanks for the chance to enter.

    Reply
  47. Laura (Tutti Dolci) says

    December 18, 2012 at 11:22 pm

    I’m a fan of KAF on Facebook.

    Reply
  48. Laura (Tutti Dolci) says

    December 18, 2012 at 11:21 pm

    Love these little tea cakes! Peppermint bark is one of my favorites – it’s hard to pick just one!

    Reply
  49. Amy S says

    December 18, 2012 at 10:39 pm

    Bavarian apple torte!

    Reply
  50. Alyssa (Everyday Maven) says

    December 18, 2012 at 8:16 pm

    My mom’s best friend made those every Christmas too! I used to eat so many when I was a kid.

    Reply
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Hello and welcome to An Edible Mosaic! This is my recipe collection of international favorites and updated American classics with an emphasis on seasonal dishes. Here you’ll find a focus on real foods that sustain body and mind, bring people together, and make a house a home.

 

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An Edible Mosaic is monetized in part though affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an affiliate link and/or purchase an item after clicking on an affiliate link, I may receive a percentage of the sales price. I only recommend products that I love and use. To learn more, please read my Privacy Policy.

meet faith

I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to email me with questions or comments.

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affiliate disclosure

An Edible Mosaic is monetized in part though affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an affiliate link and/or purchase an item after clicking on an affiliate link, I may receive a percentage of the sales price. I only recommend products that I love and use. To learn more, please read my Privacy Policy.

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