Russian Tea Cakes

Step 1

Preheat to 350F degrees. Toast walnuts for about 10 minutes on a baking sheet moving around after five minutes to all the nuts toast evenly. Set oven to 375F after toasting. Allow nuts to cool then chop finely.

Step 2

Cream the butter in a stand mixer. Add salt and vanilla, then add powdered sugar mixing until light and fluffy.

Step 3

Add in chopped walnuts, then add the flour gradually until incorporated into a dough. Scrape the bowl down and mix in any bits of flour or butter with your spatula.

Step 4

Roll dough into 1.5 inch balls using the palms of your clean hands. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 5

Bake at 375F for about 10-12 minutes or until cookies are a very light golden brown on the bottom. While cookies are baking place about 1/2 cup of powdered sugar in a bowl and set aside.

Step 6

Allow to cool for a minute or until JUST cool enough to handle. Roll in the powdered sugar and set aside.

Step 7

Sift a bit more confectioners' sugar over the cookies then serve.