Snowball Almond Cookies
Have you ever tasted snowballs? Well, these ones are the sweetest I’ve ever had! They were so wonderful! Not only were they delicious, but also quick and simple to make. I thoroughly savoured them as they melted in my mouth… just like how little snowballs would!
Also known as Russian Tea Cakes and Mexican Wedding Cookies, these cookies are commonly enjoyed during Christmas, weddings and… perhaps tea time as the name suggests?
Ingredients
adapted from allrecipes Makes approximately 24 cookies
- 1/2 cups unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cups finely ground almonds
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cups sifted all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp confectioners’ sugar for rolling
Directions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
- Cream butter or margarine in a bowl, gradually add confectioners’ sugar and salt. Beat until light and fluffy. Add almonds and vanilla. Blend in flour gradually and mix well.
- Shape into balls (or crescents) using about 1 teaspoon for each cookie. Place on ungreased cookie sheets, and bake for 15-20 min. Do not brown. Cool slightly, then roll in the extra confectioners’ sugar.
Yummy!! I would definitely attempt this again. The almonds could easily be substituted for other ground nuts, and that might be something I would try. In many of the Russian Tea Cake recipes, I’ve also seen chopped nuts being employed. I believe that would add an extra crunch to the cookies!
I am submitting my post to Aspiring Bakers #14: Creative Christmas Bakes hosted by Hankerie.
I brought these cookies to Melissa’s annual X’mas party.
Melissa’s place was gorgeous. Her lighting was perfect for my photography too!
A Secret Santa present
This was a Secret Santa present contained in a beautiful box! I couldn’t leave it alone without having a picture of it!
Merry Christmas!
Enjoy!
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!
I’ve never had a snowball cookie but yours with almond sound like it would be very delicious. Thanks for sharing.
And let’s talk about that tree! It is soooo pretty and stately! I love it. Lovely photos and beautiful people!
Happy Holidays & Warm Wishes for a Peaceful & Prosperous 2012
Thanks dearie! Happy Holidays to you too!!
These are one of my favorite holiday cookies!
It was actually my first time trying these cookies this year when a friend gave them to me! I had ground almonds at home and decided to try make some too!
My family is part Greek and they make something like this too! It’s called Kourabiedes and it has a little bit of cognac in the dough and we always put a whole clove in each cookie. It adds a nice flavor when you get it in your mouth and you can either bite into it (and it bites back!) or just don’t eat it. These are very good cookies. You can also make them with walnuts.
I just googled Kourabiedes and they sure look very similar! I think this cookie is super international. The picture on Google’s results is almost identical for other terms, such as “Italian Wedding Cookie”, “Mexican Wedding Cookie”, “Russian Tea Cake” etc etc. Yes! I agree that walnut would probably work very well with it too!
Very good
I like the look of these! I’ll definitely have to try them.