The First Day of Christmas: Russian Tea Cakes

Every Christmas, my mother would take a day and bake dozens of cookies. Bar cookies, formed cookies, cookie cut-outs, and she would package a little bit of each on a festive paper plate, wrap it in brightly colored cellophane tied with curly holiday ribbon and we would venture out on foot to all the neighbors and hand out our home-baked holiday goodies. Growing up on a small loop where everyone knew each other, this would take sometimes up to a few hours. At each house we would be invited in, offered tea, chit chat about the latest neighborhood news, and admire one another's holiday decorations. In the following weeks, we would get similar visits all with plates of cookies wrapped in colorful cellophane wrapping in hand. I loved this part of our Christmas traditions.

There was always one cookie, however, that I loved above all. And my mom only baked it at Christmas time and sometimes multiple batches to meet my demanding requests for my favorite cookie. Just the sight of these little snowballs takes me right back to my mother's kitchen at Christmas time. I even picture them in the large round white Tupperware container she stored our hoarded batches in. We called it the Russian Tea Cake. However, it may be more commonly known as the Mexican Wedding Cake. No matter what country it came from or what it's called, this is hands-down my favorite holiday cookie, and only fitting that I would share it with you first, on day one.

I know some of you might be thinking, "Oh, that plain old cookie? I was hoping for some new ideas." Trust me, there will be plenty of new and creative ideas to follow. But isn't some of the best things about the holidays those that are nostalgic? So if this cookie doesn't bring you back to your mama's kitchen, bake the ones that do. I promise it will warm your heart no matter how far away that memory feels.

Ingredients: 

1 cup butter

1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus more for rolling in

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 1/4 cups flour

1/4 tsp. salt

3/4 cup finely chopped walnuts

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until well blended.
3. Blend in the flour, salt, and nuts until the dough is stiff.
4. Roll into one inch balls and place on an un-greased cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes or until the tops of the cookies are just starting to become golden.
5. While cookies are still warm, roll in powdered sugar. Let cool and store in an air-tight container.

Warm wishes, and nostalgic memories...Devonly,

Yours

Comments

[Julz]

I love these cookies . . . reading your post made me want to bake a batch. Thanks!
~ Julz

[pam s]

It warmed my heart to see this as your first entry! Looking forward to seeing all 12 days.

[Pascha]

I am definitely going to make these this year and begin a tradition with my kidlets! YUM!
Thanks Devon!