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Russian Tea Cakes Cookie

Updated on November 24, 2014
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Originally from northern Louisiana, I now live in the southern part. I have many great country, Cajun, and New Orleans recipes to share.

Christmas Cookies also called Mexican Wedding Cakes or Sand Tarts

When I was a teenager, for Christmas holidays and special occasions, we made a delicious little round cookie that was filled with finely chopped pecans. We called them Sand Tarts in north Louisiana. The more common name is Russian Tea Cakes.

My Sand Tarts cookie recipe varies a little from the recipes for Russian Tea Cakes and I'll share it, as well as the standard cookie. This sturdy tea cake cookie is a good one to make for Christmas boxes and tins to give as gifts.

Russian Tea Cake Cookies photo Creative Commons

Russian Tea Cakes, Mexican Wedding Cake Cookies or Sand Tarts, no matter what you call them, they taste great for Christmas or any occasion.

Source

Louisiana Cookie Recipe called Sand Tarts

Here is the original recipe for this tasty little cookie. I had the 1960s recipe, which was written in my own hand, on an index card, in my first recipe file. It is similar to other cookies called Russian Teacakes or Mexican Wedding Cakes, but those recipes are missing the secret ingredient.

Sand Tarts Recipe

1 cup butter or margarine

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon almond extract

2 cups all purpose Flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup finely chopped nuts (pecans)

Confectioners' sugar

Cream butter well. Add sugar, vanilla and almond extract and mix thoroughly. Stir flour and salt together; blend in gradually. Mix in chopped nuts. Chill dough.

Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Roll dough into 3/4 to 1" balls. Place on ungreased baking sheet. (Cookies will remain in a ball shape.) Bake 10 to 12 min., or until set but not brown. While still warm, roll in confectioners' sugar. Makes about 4 dozen 1" cookies.

Christmas Cookie Name Poll

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Betty Crocker Cooky Book

This looks just like the one I still have from the 1960's.

Russian Tea Cakes Cookie Public Domain
Russian Tea Cakes Cookie Public Domain

Russian Tea Cakes Cookie Recipe - Betty Crocker Cooky Book circa 1969

Basically the same cookie, with a little more flour and without almond extract.

Russian Tea Cakes

1 cup butter or margarine

1/2 cup sifted confectioner's sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 1/4 cups all purpose Gold Medal Flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup finely chopped nuts

Mix butter, sugar, and vanilla thoroughly. Measure flour by diping method or by sifting. Stir Flour and salt together; blend in. Mix in nuts. Chill dough.

Heat oven to 400 degrees F. (mod. hot). Roll dough in 1 inch balls. Place on ungreased baking sheet. (Cookies do not spread.) Bake 10 to 12 min., or until set but not brown. While still warm, roll in confectioners' sugar. Cool. Roll in sugar again. Makes about 4 doz. 1" cookies.

You can also find the recipe, with pictures, on the Betty Crocker site .

How to Make Russian Tea Cakes

Christmas Cookie Gift Baskets

Russian Tea Cakes are perfect for putting in Christmas gift tins and boxes. They go well with any of the other Christmas cookies.

You could also include them in a gift basket with a selection of tea, coffee or hot cocoa. Add some mugs, Christmas dish towels or pot holders to create a festive display.

Vintage Box of Christmas Cookies

Buy Vintage Box of Christmas Cookies Notecard by lkranieri on Zazzle.com

Basket for Gifts

This nice rectangular basket would work well for a tea and cookies gift.

Mugs for the Cookie Gift Basket

Zazzle has all kinds of mugs and they can be personalized to make the gift even more special.

Snow Fawn and Bunny Cross Stitch Mug

Source

Buy Snow Fawn and bunny Cross Stitch mug by naturegirl7 on Zazzle.com

Cardinal Cross Stitch Mug

Source

Buy Red Cardinal Mug by naturegirl7 on Zazzle.com

Hot chocolate is great for children and adults... Yum!

A cookie jar filled with homemade cookies makes a welcome gift.

Share the Joy Card

Source

Buy "Share the Joy" by hahn_artwork on Zazzle

© 2010 Yvonne L B

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