Russian Tea Ball

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves: 60 Cuisine: Russian

Russian Tea Balls are rich, nutty cookies coated in confectioners sugar, offering a delicate sweetness and buttery crunch, perfect for holiday treats or afternoon tea.

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Ingredients

  • 2 c. flour
  • 1/2 c. sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 c. butter
  • 2 tsp. vanilla
  • 2 c. chopped nuts

Instructions

  1. Cream the butter and eggs together.
  2. Add the flour, sugar, salt, vanilla, and chopped nuts to the creamed mixture.
  3. Form the dough into small balls.
  4. Bake the balls at 325°F for 10 to 15 minutes until lightly golden.
  5. Remove from oven and roll the baked cookies in confectioners sugar.
  6. Serve and enjoy.

Tips & Substitutions

For a lighter texture, ensure your butter is at room temperature before creaming with the eggs. If you want to reduce fat, consider substituting half of the butter with unsweetened applesauce. You can also switch up the nuts; pecans or walnuts work well, or make it nut-free by using sunflower seeds. If you prefer a touch of spice, add a dash of cinnamon to the mix.

Serving Suggestions

These delightful cookies are perfect for tea time or as a sweet treat during the holidays. Serve them alongside a cup of hot tea or coffee for a cozy experience. They pair beautifully with Apricot Dainties for a charming dessert spread. For an added touch, dust with extra confectioners' sugar just before serving to enhance their presentation.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftover Russian Tea Balls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. To maintain their texture, avoid refrigerating them, as the humidity can make them soggy. If you want to enjoy them warm, reheat in the oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes to restore their original softness.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Russian Tea Ball contains roughly 616 calories, with 10g protein, 85g carbohydrates, and 21g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (48% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (21% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1760mg per serving (77% of the Daily Value).

616 kcal 31% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 9.6g 19% DV
Total Fat 21.3g 27% DV
Carbs 84.6g 31% DV
Fiber 6g 21% DV
Sugar 3.9g 8% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 1759.9mg 77% DV
Potassium 798.5mg 17% DV
Cholesterol 9.1mg 3% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 2.2mcg
Vitamin C 43.6mg 48% DV
Calcium 64.2mg 5% DV
Iron 2.7mg 15% DV
Diet fit High-fiber
Contains Milk Egg Wheat/Gluten

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do if my dough is too crumbly?

If your dough is too crumbly, it may be due to the flour being too dry. Try adding a teaspoon of milk or water to help bind the ingredients together. Alternatively, you can knead the dough gently to incorporate more moisture. Just be cautious not to overwork it.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

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