Saturday, January 24, 2009

A Great Cookie To Make With Kids: Russian Teacakes aka Snowballs



I've been making this recipe with my mom since I can remember; it's kind of our Christmas tradition. I have many fond memories of making these cookies.

At any rate, the teacakes are not only one of the easiest things I've ever baked, but are also very kid friendly. There are many jobs kids can participate in while making these; measuring ingredients, rolling the dough into balls, and covering them in confectionery sugar when they come out of the oven. The best part is, however, is that there are no eggs in this recipe, so mom's don't have to worry about their kids taking a little nibble of the dough or licking their fingers.



Russian Teacakes
Makes approximately four dozen cookies

Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 confectionery sugar, sifted
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour, sifted
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup finally chopped (walnuts) nuts (optional, to be stirred in last)
extra confectionery sugar for rolling





Sift the dry ingredients (flour, salt) together and set them aside.





Cream the butter, sugar and vanilla together.





Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, and stir together.



Once the mixture starts coming together, use your hands and form a ball with the dough.



Refrigerate the dough until firm (usually 30 minutes to 1 hour). Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.



Form once inch balls with the dough by rolling them in the palm of your hand.



Place the cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet quite close together (they don't really spread much).



Bake for approximately 10 minutes. I can tell they are cooked with they start to slightly crack at the top.






Cool for a few minutes, but while still warm, roll all the cookies in confectionery sugar. After rolling all the cookies once, roll them for a second time. Then allow them to cool completely before storing.



6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Those look deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelicious ! I want some. I know I can eat these everyday.

MrSound said...

The kids would surely love this. I see that this is a Russian made recipe? I'd love to try this. Even though I'm a sucker for Italian Foods I will surely bake this one. It's good to have some variety once in a while.right? Thanks for the share.

sihirlirloklava said...

I like it....mmmm :))

Anonymous said...

those look so cool. check out more gourmet food online: http://www.foodsoftheweb.com

Anonymous said...

I will definately try this recipe on my next day off. Looks delicious!

Nice website!

Recipes for Toaster Ovens said...

My goodness...they look so yummilicious!!!!!!!!!!!
How nice would it be if we could taste them by some kinda online feature...LOL!
Technology can't beat the senses...they reflect that God Exists...if I could taste those snowballs...wheww!