Russian Tea Cakes Cookie

Merry Christmas Cookies by Woodswalker

Here is the original recipe for this tasty little cookie. I had the 1960's recipe, which was written in my own hand, on an index card, in my first recipe file. It is similar to other cookies called Russian Teacakes or Mexican Wedding Cakes, but those recipes are missing the secret ingredient.

Sand Tarts Recipe

1 cup butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups all purpose Flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup finely chopped nuts (pecans)
Confectioners' sugar

Cream butter well. Add sugar, vanilla and almond extract and mix thoroughly. Stir flour and salt together; blend in gradually. Mix in chopped nuts. Chill dough.

Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Roll dough into 3/4 to 1" balls. Place on ungreased baking sheet. (Cookies will remain in a ball shape.) Bake 10 to 12 min., or until set but not brown. While still warm, roll in confectioners' sugar. Makes about 4 dozen 1" cookies.

Basically the same cookie, with a little more flour and without almond extract.

Russian Tea Cakes

1 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup sifted confectioner's sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/4 cups all purpose Gold Medal Flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup finely chopped nuts

Mix butter, sugar, and vanilla thoroughly. Measure flour by diping method or by sifting. Stir Flour and salt together; blend in. Mix in nuts. Chill dough.

Heat oven to 400 degrees F. (mod. hot). Roll dough in 1 inch balls. Place on ungreased baking sheet. (Cookies do not spread.) Bake 10 to 12 min., or until set but not brown. While still warm, roll in confectioners' sugar. Cool. Roll in sugar again. Makes about 4 doz. 1" cookies.

You can also find the recipe, with pictures, on the Betty Crocker site .

Zazzle has all kinds of mugs and they can be personalized to make the gift even more special.

Snow Fawn and bunny Cross Stitch by naturegirl7

Red Cardinal Mug by naturegirl7