Description
These Vegan Russian Tea Cakes are tender, buttery cookies packed with finely chopped nuts and coated in sweet powdered sugar for a snowy finish. Perfectly crumbly and melt-in-your-mouth, they make a delightful vegan holiday treat or everyday snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup vegan butter
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
For Coating
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the vegan butter and ½ cup powdered sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes using a hand or stand mixer.
- Add Vanilla and Dry Ingredients: Mix in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt, stirring just until combined to form a dough without overmixing.
- Fold in Nuts and Chill: Fold in the finely chopped pecans or walnuts until evenly distributed throughout the dough. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up, making it easier to handle.
- Form Cookies: Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow for slight spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12–14 minutes, or until the bottoms of the cookies are lightly golden but the tops remain pale.
- First Sugar Coating: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then while still warm, gently roll each cookie in powdered sugar to coat.
- Second Sugar Coating: Once the cookies are completely cooled, roll them again in powdered sugar to achieve the signature snowy finish.
Notes
- Be sure to chill the dough well to prevent spreading during baking.
- Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to avoid sticking.
- For nut-free variation, substitute nuts with toasted coconut flakes.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to a week.
