Russian Tea Cakes

These delicious Russian Tea Cakes are a classic, easy to make holiday cookie filled with walnuts and coated in powdered sugar. Popular around the world with many different names, these Christmas cookies are an easy treat you can make in about 20 minutes.

Russian tea cakes are simple buttery cookies packed with chopped nuts for a great crunch and depth of flavor. The cookies are not super-sweet so the powdered sugar on the outside actually provides the perfect balance. They are called MANY names around the world, let me know what you call them in the comments!

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[mishalsaeed]

Literally the most wholesome person on the internet.

[splott]

I love how so many people have memories of cooking these with their mother. I'm sorry for those who have lost their mom, but happy to hear that this special holiday memory remains in their heart and mind

[chrysart]

In Greece they’re called kourambiedes and my mom would add orange blossom essence to the batter, as well as a little grounded cloves. My favorite Christmas cookie.

[Patti-]

My mother called these "Walnut Balls." She made these every year for the holidays, and I still, to this day have a difficult time showing any self control with these in the house! She gave me a recipe book for Christmas one year where she had hand written all the recipes from my childhood, and of course this recipe is in that book! She is no longer with us... but her recipes live ON!

[teresahalliday]

My mother used to make a cookie just like this every Christmas. She made hundreds because everyone who stopped by at Christmas loved them. She called them butterballs. She is no longer with us so I make them now, though I don't like walnuts, so I use pecans. Thank you for this video and for bringing to mind the memory of helping her every Christmas. You are a joy, John!!

[glowingember]

I LOVE that you keep your OOPSYs in your videos instead of editing them out. We all make those little mistakes, and it's nice to see we're not alone. Plus, you're so good-natured about it. You're a joy to watch.

[TaylorTaylor]

I am from Russia and I have never seen them anywhere in Russia! 😁😁 But I am exited to try this! Maybe this looks a little like a pryaniki.

[GiotaRini.]

These are quite similar to the greek traditional christmas cookies called kurabiedes, which are made mid December for the upcoming holidays! Brings back so many childhood memories..

[roxpr]

I have been hunting for a good Russian Tea Cake or Mexican Wedding Cookie recipe for a few days, and here you come to the rescue! I will bake these as Christmas gifts for my neighbors. Thanks John!

[ariel]

I’ve only ever known these as Mexican wedding cookies. I love making these every Christmas! ☺️

[А.СальеКулинария]

I'm from Moscow and these are really some of our favorite tea cookies. How wonderful to see cooking in your own way. Thank you, you are the best !!! :)

[dtwiggy]

I have been making these since about 11 yrs old, starting with just rolling them in 10x with green and red sugar sprinkles. Here I am at 58 yrs old and these are still the one main cookie on my buffet every year. Thank you so much for calling them Russia Tea Cakes. I see so many different names. But let it be known….these are Russian Tea Cakes! Thank you babes. P.S. when I make something new, I look it up on your page first. We just adore you!!

[janicecole]

My dad's side of the family is 100% Slovakian. He's one of 12 children. The women baked a lot at Christmastime. No Russian tea cakes, but I especially loved their nut roll! John, could you show us how to make that???
My mother-in-law was a great cook, as was my own dear mom, from whom I inherited my love of cooking! Come to think of it, I come from a whole family of great cooks on both sides of the family, Slovakian on one side & Scotch and Irish on the other!
My mother-in-law used to make these Russian tea cakes every Christmas. I'm so glad you made this video, because I seemed to have lost her recipe! Now I can make them! Yay!
John, I L❤VE your videos! Your recipes are DE•LI•CIOUS!!! And your presentations are always such fun!!! Please don't edit out your bloopers!!! I think I speak for nearly everyone when I say, WE L❤VE 'EM!!! And we L🥰VE you!!! Many thanks from Pennsylvania!😋😉❣

[czeckeredcat]

My family comes from Czech Republic, where these are shaped into crescents called vanilkové rohlíčky. Main difference is the addition of egg yolks, and the powdered sugar doesn't contain cornstarch. They're one of the top 3 classics at Christmastime, when a Czech family makes an average of 8 types of cookies.

[wombatnumbat]

We make Russian tea cakes every xmas! One year my brother made a cube-shaped one and that became our tradition to have at least one cube per batch. :)

[susanbrandon]

My mother used to call them Mexican Wedding Cakes

[laylalol]

These cookies remind me something of Mexican wedding cookies. Those are my favorite! Can't wait to try these! Also, I would love to see you make and updated creme brulee (if possible)!

[sarabmccaskil]

russian tea cakes are now on my gonna-bake-in-2021-bake-list!

[ivettesantiago]

In Puerto Rico we call them "Mantecaditos" and "Polvorones", too. They are so delicious! Your recipe looks easier. 👍

[RealNikkiMarie]

These cookies look like snowballs! What a perfect side kick for your delicious brownies! Package them up for a nice gift! Thank You John☃️💖