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The Recipe · No.563 · Russian Tea Cakes

Russian Tea Cakes, and where to source it

Russian Tea Cakes — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM Russian Tea Cakes American 5best2buy.com

These are butter, nuts, and sugar, so a good butter and fresh pecans are the whole flavor. The move that matters is rolling them in powdered sugar while still warm so the first coat melts in, then rolling again once cool for the snowy finish.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep20 min
Cook14 min
Makes36 cookies
CuisineAmerican
Cost$$
Vegetarian
Contains  dairy · gluten · tree nuts
Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy.
Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 36 cookies
Unsalted butter
The whole cookie; a good cultured butter is the flavor here.
1 cup, softened
Pecans
The nut; toast and grind them fine for the richest flavor.
1 cup, ground
All-purpose flour
The structure; fresh flour keeps the crumb tender.
2 1/4 cups
Powdered sugar
For the dough and the double roll; grind unrefined sugar fine if you want a deeper note.
1/2 cup plus 1 cup for rolling
Vanilla extract
Rounds the butter and nuts; real extract.
1 tsp
The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● A fair little treat
A reasonable little indulgence.
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
Air fryerSheet pan
The Method
  1. CreamBeat butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until light, then beat in the vanilla.
  2. MixAdd flour, ground pecans, and 1/4 tsp salt and mix just until a soft dough forms.
  3. ShapeRoll into 1-inch balls and set on a lined pan.
  4. BakeBake at 350F for 12-15 minutes until the bottoms are just golden; the tops stay pale.
  5. Roll warmRoll the warm cookies in powdered sugar, let cool, then roll a second time for a full snowy coat.
The Toolkit

Sheet pans · Food processor · Stand mixer · Silicone mat · Cooling rack

Straight Answers
Can you make Russian Tea Cakes in an air fryer? — Yes

Yes — bake it in a small pan or dish that fits the basket, at about 25°F below the recipe temperature. Air fryers run hot and fast, so check it early; no flipping needed.

Can you freeze Russian Tea Cakes? — Yes

Yes — freeze it well-wrapped, then reheat or toast straight from frozen. Frost or glaze after thawing.

Can you make Russian Tea Cakes ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — bake it a day or two ahead; it keeps well-wrapped at room temperature and freezes cleanly. Add any frosting or glaze close to serving.

Is Russian Tea Cakes gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).

Is Russian Tea Cakes vegan? — Vegetarian, not vegan

It’s vegetarian but not vegan as written — it has dairy. Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy.

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