Snowball Cookies (Russian Tea Cookies)

It's cookie week and what better time to share what Grandma used to share with her friends! 

Sharing was never something Grandma did only during the holidays. She would put together packages of goodies for friends throughout the year--just because.

The cookies we'll be sharing this week were Grandma's (and her friends') favorites and the ones we remember best. So make a few batches of one or more type of cookie, put a few in a cellophane bag, and tie with a pretty ribbon. Such a wonderful and unique gift and one that your friends will know came from the heart.

These Snowball Cookies (as we used to call them) were light, tasty with tea or coffee, and package beautifully for an edible gift. Grandma used to use walnuts in her recipe, but since nut allergies are so prevalent, perhaps another type of nut (or no nuts at all) would work just as well. With or without, these are delicious!

Snowball Cookies (Russian Tea Cookies)

1 cup butter, softened

½ cup powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2¼ cup all-purpose flour

¾ cup finely chopped nuts

¼ tsp salt

Additional powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 400F. 

In a food processor or large bowl, mix butter, powdered sugar and vanilla. Stir in flour, nuts, and salt until dough holds together. Shape into 1-inch balls and place about an inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes or until set but not brown.

Remove from cookie sheet and cool slightly, then roll warm cookies in powdered sugar. After cookies are thoroughly cooled, roll again in powdered sugar. Makes about 4 dozen.