One of the fun things about the holiday season is celebrating old traditions and creating new ones (spoiler, it will include the best Russian Teacake cookies).
This is a really new tradition that I started with my friend Allie last year. We get together and have lunch and talk books, of course, but this particular time in December, she brought along some Russian Teacake cookies that she made. It was love at first bite! We are getting together again this year to celebrate the holidays and to talk books, and we are planning to make these together. Well she’ll probably make them, and I will eat them. But, you know, same thing.
When Allie shared the ingredients with me, I was pretty amazed by how few there were. For all intents and purposes, they are just flour, sugar and oil. This explains the instant love and instant new tradition.
They are magnificent! Here’s how to make some of your own.
Ingredients
1 cup butter or margarine, softened1/2 cup powdered sugar1 teaspoon vanilla2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour3/4 cup finely chopped nuts1/4 teaspoon saltPowdered sugar
Directions
Heat oven to 400ºF.
Mix butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar and the vanilla in large bowl. Stir in flour, nuts and salt until dough holds together.
Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place about 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until set but not brown. Remove from cookie sheet. Cool slightly on wire rack.
Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar; cool on wire rack. Roll in powdered sugar again.
Eat and enjoy!
P.S. I you have a sweet tooth, try this delicious chocolate chip cookie recipe.