Russian Tea Balls

Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup powdered sugar (plus extra for coating)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup finely chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds)

Additional powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions:

Preparation: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Creaming the Butter: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.

Vanilla Essence: Stir in the vanilla extract.

Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Gradually blend this into the butter mixture.

Adding Nuts: Fold in the finely chopped nuts, ensuring they're evenly distributed in the dough.

Shaping: Take a small amount of dough and roll it into a 1-inch ball. Place each ball on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced apart.

Bake: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the bottoms of the tea balls are lightly golden. Remember, the tops will remain pale.

Cool and Coat: Once removed from the oven, allow the tea balls to cool slightly. While they're still warm, roll each one in powdered sugar. Set them on a wire rack to cool completely.

Final Dusting: After they have cooled completely, give them one more roll or sprinkle of powdered sugar. This ensures they have a beautiful snowy appearance.

Tips:

You can customize the recipe by adding a pinch of ground cinnamon or nutmeg for a spicier touch.

Store these cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh.

Note for Bloggers: These cookies are not just delightful to eat but also very photogenic. A picture of these snowy white cookies against a contrasting background or on a festive plate can make your blog post even more enticing!

Enjoy baking and sharing these traditional Russian Tea Balls!