Snowball Cookies (Russian Tea Cakes / Mexican Wedding Cookies)

Snowball Cookies (Russian Tea Cakes / Mexican Wedding Cookies)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
• Additional powdered sugar, for rolling

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
3. Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour and salt to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined. Stir in the chopped nuts.
4. Shape Cookies: Scoop out tablespoons of dough and roll them into balls. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet about 1 inch apart.
5. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden. The tops will remain pale.
6. Coat in Powdered Sugar: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool for about 5 minutes on the baking sheet. While still warm, roll each cookie in powdered sugar to coat. Place on a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Second Coating: Once the cookies are completely cooled, roll them in powdered sugar again to ensure a thick, even coating.
8. Serve and Enjoy: Enjoy your delicious Snowball Cookies with a cup of tea or coffee.

These cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings or as a sweet treat any time of year. They have a delightful crumbly texture and a rich, buttery flavor with a hint of nuttiness.