Classic Butter Balls
Ingredients
- 1 csoft unsalted butter
- ½ cconfectioner's sugar
+ 1/4-1/2 cup more for dusting
- 1 tspvanilla extract
- 2 ¼ call purpose flour
- ¼ tspkosher salt
- ¾ cchopped walnuts
Directions
- 1
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
- 2
In a large bowl mix together butter, confectioner's sugar, and vanilla until well incorporated.
- 3
In a medium bowl, sift together flour and salt. Stir into butter mixture. Add walnuts and mix.
- 4
Roll dough into 1 inch balls. Place on un-greased cookie sheets. They don't spread so they don't need to be spaced far apart.
- 5
Bake for 10-12 minutes. Let cool for a minute or two, then add another 1/4-1/2 cup of confectioner's sugar to a small bowl and then roll just out of the oven balls in sugar (don't worry, they wont fully coat, yet). Let cool and then roll again to get the full sugary coating.
Classic Butter Balls
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About this Recipe
Searching for that quintessential holiday treat that melts in your mouth and brings cheer? These Classic Butter Balls, beloved Christmas cookies, are just the ticket—simple to make, incredibly delicious, and utterly festive, perfect for those 'snowball-like bites of Christmas'.
What makes these classic butter balls, also known as Russian Tea Cakes, so enduringly popular is their delightful simplicity and the magic they create from basic ingredients. Crafted with soft unsalted butter and confectioner's sugar, they achieve an unmatched tender crumb. The balance of all-purpose flour and a touch of kosher salt ensures a perfectly structured yet delicate cookie, while vanilla extract and chopped walnuts infuse each bite with comforting, rich flavor.
Prepare for a truly enchanting cookie experience. Each Classic Butter Ball delivers a wonderfully delicate, buttery flavor that’s subtly sweet, enhanced by the earthy warmth of chopped walnuts. The texture is key here: expect a melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, with just enough crumble from the nuts to provide a pleasant contrast. After baking, they’re rolled in a generous coating of confectioner’s sugar, creating that iconic 'snowball' appearance and adding a final layer of sweetness. These are the cookies that evoke warm memories and festive cheer with every bite, perfectly embodying the spirit of a holiday dessert.
These timeless cookies are also quite versatile. While chopped walnuts are traditional, you can easily substitute them with other finely chopped nuts like pecans or almonds to tailor the flavor. For a nut-free option, simply omit the nuts entirely and perhaps add a hint of citrus zest, like lemon or orange, to the dough for a bright, aromatic twist. The vanilla extract can also be complemented with a touch of almond extract for a different aromatic profile.
These festive little 'snowballs' are truly a Christmas classic, ideal for holiday cookie platters, gifting to friends and family, or simply enjoying as a sweet treat during a cozy winter evening, making every moment feel like Christmas.