CHRISTMAS BAKING TIME-- Easy Recipe

One of my favorite cookies is the Russian Tea Cakes.  They are quite simple to make and delicious for any time of the year .  Mom always made them around Christmas time because they look a bit like small snow balls and when placed with cookies of various colors and shapes , like the Green wreath cookies and ginger bread men cookies, they create the festive theme of snow and winter time.  One thing for sure, you can't eat just one of these.

As you read the recipe you will see that it calls for vanilla, I add, as my Mom did, almond extract which gives the cookies a very delectable taste, different from "plain vanilla". Try it , I think you will like it.

RUSSIAN TEA CAKES

Mix thoroughly:

1 cup of soft butter

1/2 cup of sifted confectioners sugar

1 tsp of vanilla  ( Here I add almond rather than vanilla, try it, you'll like it)

Sift together: 

2 1/4 cups of flour

1/4 tsp salt

Mix in:

3/4 cup of finely chopped nuts (pecans work the best or you may use almonds if you like)

***Chill the dough. Roll into 1" balls. Place on ungreased baking sheet. ( cookies do not spread )

Bake until set, but not brown.  While still warm roll in confectioners' sugar. Cool and then roll again. 

Bake at 400 degree (moderately hot oven) for 10 to 12 minutes.

This will make about 4 dozen 1" cookies.  (It is closer to three dozen for some reason when I make them but it is a good portion which should last at least an hour or so. hahah)

*** Someone wrote and said they didn't understand Chill the dough or for how long. Chill the dough until it is firm. Chill at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator or a bit less in the freezer section. They can be left over night in the fridge if you don't have time to bake immediately.  I often make up several batches of cookies that require chilling and leave them for a day or so before baking. They are chilled when they can be sliced with a knife without mashing flat or until they are firm enough to roll without being gooey.  That is about as simple as I can explain it.  

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These go real good with Russian Tea as do the Molasses Cookies.

Here is a recipe for INSTANT RUSSIAN TEA that you can keep handy in a jar for the times you just would like to have a nice spicy hot cup of tea.  You may have your own but this is one that I have used for a long time. It is quick and easy to make and INEXPENSIVE to make.

2 cups orange-flavored drink mix (Tang)
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup instant tea powder
3/4 cup lemon-flavored instant tea powder ( this is optional or you can use instant lemonade mix if you prefer.)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves

In a large bowl combine all ingredients.
Mix well. Store in an airtight container.

For Tea: Put 1 Tbs of mix in a mug.
Stir in 1 cup boiling water.
Adjust amounts to taste.