He is amazing and just such a nice, warm hearted person! Need more of this during this holiday season! BTW I dream about your ovens and cooktops 👨🍳👨🍳👨🍳. So beautiful. 🎄🎄
In Greece they’re called kourambiedes and my mom would add orange blossom essence to the batter, as well as a little grounded cloves. My favorite Christmas cookie.
I love how so many people have memories of cooking these with their mother. I'm sorry for those who have lost their mom, but happy to hear that this special holiday memory remains in their heart and mind
My mother used to make a cookie just like this every Christmas. She made hundreds because everyone who stopped by at Christmas loved them. She called them butterballs. She is no longer with us so I make them now, though I don't like walnuts, so I use pecans. Thank you for this video and for bringing to mind the memory of helping her every Christmas. You are a joy, John!!
These are quite similar to the greek traditional christmas cookies called kurabiedes, which are made mid December for the upcoming holidays! Brings back so many childhood memories..
My mother called these "Walnut Balls." She made these every year for the holidays, and I still, to this day have a difficult time showing any self control with these in the house! She gave me a recipe book for Christmas one year where she had hand written all the recipes from my childhood, and of course this recipe is in that book! She is no longer with us... but her recipes live ON!
"Walnut Balls" is certainly better than other names. "Nut Ball Cookies" would be good too. I use pecans. I have liked them also with Anise. Your mom lives on in your memories, your traditions, and your care to others who follow. Keep her living by making great cookies. Thanks for your comment to John's channel.
I have been hunting for a good Russian Tea Cake or Mexican Wedding Cookie recipe for a few days, and here you come to the rescue! I will bake these as Christmas gifts for my neighbors. Thanks John!
I have been making these since about 11 yrs old, starting with just rolling them in 10x with green and red sugar sprinkles. Here I am at 58 yrs old and these are still the one main cookie on my buffet every year. Thank you so much for calling them Russia Tea Cakes. I see so many different names. But let it be known….these are Russian Tea Cakes! Thank you babes. P.S. when I make something new, I look it up on your page first. We just adore you!!
I LOVE that you keep your OOPSYs in your videos instead of editing them out. We all make those little mistakes, and it's nice to see we're not alone. Plus, you're so good-natured about it. You're a joy to watch.
My family comes from Czech Republic, where these are shaped into crescents called vanilkové rohlíčky. Main difference is the addition of egg yolks, and the powdered sugar doesn't contain cornstarch. They're one of the top 3 classics at Christmastime, when a Czech family makes an average of 8 types of cookies.
My dad's side of the family is 100% Slovakian. I especially loved the nut roll! John, could you show us how to make that??? My mother-in-law was a great cook, as was my own dear mom, from whom I inherited my love of cooking! Come to think of it, I come from a whole family of great cooks on both sides of the family, Slovakian on one side & Scotch and Irish on the other! My mother-in-law used to make Russian tea cakes every Christmas. I'm so glad you made this video, because I seemed to have lost her recipe! Now I can make them! Yay! John, I L❤VE your videos! Your recipes are DE•LI•CIOUS!!! And your presentations are always such fun!!! Please don't edit out your bloopers!!! I think I speak for nearly everyone when I say, WE LOVE 'EM!!!
These cookies remind me something of Mexican wedding cookies. Those are my favorite! Can't wait to try these! Also, I would love to see you make and updated creme brulee (if possible)!
I'm from Moscow and these are really some of our favorite tea cookies. How wonderful to see cooking in your own way. Thank you, you are the best !!! :)
My dad's side of the family is 100% Slovakian. He's one of 12 children. The women baked a lot at Christmastime. No Russian tea cakes, but I especially loved their nut roll! John, could you show us how to make that??? My mother-in-law was a great cook, as was my own dear mom, from whom I inherited my love of cooking! Come to think of it, I come from a whole family of great cooks on both sides of the family, Slovakian on one side & Scotch and Irish on the other! My mother-in-law used to make these Russian tea cakes every Christmas. I'm so glad you made this video, because I seemed to have lost her recipe! Now I can make them! Yay! John, I L❤VE your videos! Your recipes are DE•LI•CIOUS!!! And your presentations are always such fun!!! Please don't edit out your bloopers!!! I think I speak for nearly everyone when I say, WE L❤VE 'EM!!! And we L🥰VE you!!! Many thanks from Pennsylvania!😋😉❣
This recipe is super similar to greek 'Kourabiedes', commonly made during Christmas! In this variation some people include a tiny bit of a nut extract; and my goodness, the smell when they bake is out of this world!
My gma used to make these. They were a favorite, but she never told us what they were. I’ve been using a Mexican Wedding Cookie recipe I found. It’s the same cookie, but the texture just isn’t quite like Grandma’s. 🤔 Hers were meltier and sometimes had a little squeakiness in the bite. This Russian Tea Cake recipe has powdered sugar IN THE DOUGH! THAT’S THE SQUEAKY MELTINESS I’M MISSING! I know it is! Huzzah! 🎉 🥰🥰🥰 THANK YOU! This really means a lot. You’re the best! 😘 Weeee! 😆
I’m from eastern kentucky and we call these Italian wedding cookies! I haven’t made a batch in years, but this video inspired me to make them again this years! Thanks and cheers!
Sand Tarts or Sandies. (Texas) LOVE THEM I have a recipe from my 9th grade Homemaking class teacher in 1972!!! I doubt they even have "Homemaking" classes any more!
We call them Italian wedding cookies. And they are to die for. I now make them every year and give them in gifts. Everyone loves them and some have even told me they can’t wait for all the things I make at Christmas especially these. Thx for sharing. Merry Christmas and God bless
@@electraheart2823 WHAT 😳😳😳!!!!! I’d tell them to up their cookie taste buds. They can have chocolate chip cookies anytime of the year. Live on the edge of the chip 😂😂😂!!! You could always make a batch for yourself. I’ll pray for your success!! Merry Christmas 🎄 and God bless 🕊💜🕊
Very similar to something we make in my family. We just call them Pecan Balls. However, the pecans (or whatever nuts) are finely ground and actually replace some of the flour in the recipe. HEAVEN!!
Hi Preppy. My Grandmother makes these cookies, but a little bit different. She put less flour and more nuts, then she stretches mass on the table about half of the centimeter thin, and then cut circles around 2.5 cm wide. After they are backed she connects two pieces with plum or apricot jam and rolls them into the powdered sugar. We called them (Vanilice) In translation small vanilla cakes. I come from Serbia and I love these cakes.
My grandma used to make russian tea cakes clear back in the 60s and 70s when I was a little girl. They were one of my favorites. Yours spread out while cooking more than Grandma's did, hers stayed pretty much ball shaped.
I love this cookies,i used almond flour and all purpose flour combined,but it has to be refrigerated all the time.Thank you John I loved your way of cooking and baking, iam a big Fan from the Philippines.
Ever since my grandma passed a few years back we’ve tried to make her Russian Tea Cakes EVERY year at our family baking day (we usually do it on Black Friday but obvs not this year) and they are soo hard to get right! But when they are done right..... 😋😋
In my house we call them the Greek cookies they are very delicious my neighbor is Greek so every time she makes them we get to have some authentic Greek cookies 🤗😃
These are my favorite cookies and I've been making them since the 1970s. I find with my recipe it helps to not only shape it into a ball but then squish the ball and re-shape it again. I also do the first coat of confectioner's sugar shortly after they come out of the oven, but they're so fragile at that point I stack them on a plate, leave them overnight, and re-roll them the second day in the morning. Perfect. My mom made them and I've made ever since high school. Emeril Lagasse's recipe is just like ours.
I use finely chopped pecans in my Russian Tea Cakes. They were a family favorite at Christmas time so I used to make 20 to 30 dozen to share with everyone. I can taste them now. They melt in your mouth.
I made these years ago with pecans, but my recipe called for much smaller cookies. I’ve had so much success with your recipes, that I’m going to try them!
In our Italian household as a child (50 yrs ago) we called them Butter Balls. I still make them every year for Christmas. They do literally melt in your mouth.
I use Maple ,Vanilla, Coconut extracts, pecan, walnut, orange, lemon rinds and mini chocolate chips depending on my taste buds. I’ve been making these weekly
Yes, like almost everybody already said, we know them as Polvorones here in Mexico 😁🇲🇽 I've actually made them, but I do let the dough in the refrigerator for about 30min, and I cover them with powdered sugar after they cooled down. The sugar does stick to the cookies so no problem 😁 I'll try your recipe of course! They look more soft and absolutely delicious 🤤💜 Thank you for sharing your recipes! Happy holidays 🙆🏻♀️💜🎄
I was taught to make these in HS by an activity teacher I had, Sr. Aida Flores ❤she called them Mexican wedding cookies. I make them every year, so so good. Merry Christmas 🎁
Wonderful! We definetely have something very similar in our family, the only difference is that we usually add a little bit of sour cream/creme fraiche ("smetana" in russian) to the batter. It adds a bit of sour "tang" to the flavour, which is absolutely delicious)
I LOVE Russian tea cakes! My version uses pecans, which are also very delicious. I've made these cookies with almonds and shaped them into crescents. All very yummy, and fun to make.😋
Southern guy, here. And my grandmother always made "pecan sandies" for Christmas treats every year. She made use of the huge pecan tree in her front yard. They are still a holiday favorite of mine.
Just made these for my office cookie swap. Followed your recipe exactly and wow, these were exceptional. Soooo easy to make as well. I used to buy these from a little shop here for like $7 a container. Not anymore!!!
My mother is Polish and she called these Bohemian crescents. And, of course, shaped them into crescents. So delicious! Every year for my entire life. Everyone loves these so make 3 big batches and give to friends and neighbors.
In the center of México we have the exact same recipe, except we usually use pecan nuts, also a bit roasted on the fraying pan and we call them either: "besos de novia" (bride's kisses), or "besos de nuez" (nuts' kisses) or "besos de angel" (angel's kisses)... 👌🏻💪🏻 Very nice recipe!!! And YES, this also DOES remind me of my mom cuz these are her favorite cookies of the worl, and also, the only ones she would bake "just because" every now and then... The smell is just... Exactly that, like an angel's kiss 🩵
my grandmother just bought them from the store as mexican wedding cookies and I loved them as a child... but a few years I found the recipe and wow they are so easy to make and taste better than store bought cookies!
It's an honor John Kanell, my daughter as a Christmas present gave me your incredible cookbook "Preppy kitchen!" Which I'm fascinated & just estatic with thank you so much sweetheart for sharing your talent & recipes with us! Yes I have been baking your recipes, right now I have been baking mostly your desserts cookies & cheesecakes. I can't afford a "Kitchenaid" but sweetheart I'm enjoying myself! DELICIOUS all of your recipes are incredibly delicious & you're the BEST teacher! Thank you again sweetheart may God continue blessing you & your's 😇💙🙏🏼💐
"Russian" seems to be the oldest of names. I call them "Nut Balls," and make them two or three times each year. I prefer them with pecans, only because walnuts sometimes burn my mouth. I don't know why, but, well, what happens, happens. For those who like walnuts and don't endure the burn, hey rah to you. Thus, I go with pecans, and love them. I also, sometimes, add a bit of anise. If you hate anise, well, leave it out. If you like it in candy, try it. Thanks, John, for keeping this wonderful recipe. Love your channel. Hey. Once upon a time, I met a cookie with lots of cocoa and some anise, covered in powdered sugar, soft, chewy, someone's holiday tradition. Know it? I would love to see that recipe. Still, thanks, and keep on baking!
aw God Bless you . I got tears in my eyes when you said you use to make those with your mother when you was little . I really love your cookie recipes they look so easy to make . I haven't tried them but I will maybe I will try them with Stevia sugar . Take care
I made this recipe for the Christmas Holidays this year as gifts. I think I made about 6 batches with various nuts, Almond, Walnuts, and hazel nuts. They were and are a HIT. I now have to make them on a regular basis.. Thank you for an easy and LEKKER (delicious) in Dutch. Elliott expat living in the Netherlands
I love how relaxed you are in these videos, I will definitely make these. Also I thought you should know I loved these so much as a kid and this brings back so many memories.
Thank u so much, by the way, for the recepy. In Russia we do them with kefir or russian sour cream. But I don't live in Russia. So I never managed to adap Russian recepies to locally available ingredients...Now I'll try to use ur recepy and incorporate flavors of my childhood:)
We also made these with pecans, and rolled them out as logs but to points on each end and curved into a semi-circle to make cresents or half moon shapes. My favorite!!
We called these snowballs, butter meltaways, or snowball meltaway cookies. Love these. I made an ersatz version one year with brown rice baby cereal instead of flour, cinnamon, orange juice concentrate, (out of vanilla) orange rind and a little vanilla bean ice cream, and they were delicious.
Made these and they are to die for! I may have burnt the walnuts a bit, but still turned out delicious. Glad to have finally found this recipe! Thank you, John!
My mom made a version of these cookies every Christmas. Her recipe used toasted slivered almonds instead of walnuts and we called them Snowball Cookies....yum!
Thanks for posting this! I grew up with these (In Iowa) for Christmas..and so did my kids. We make them a tiny bit smaller so they are 'bite size' and call them Russian Tea Cakes...I plan to make some tomorrow!!
It’s very similar to Ghorayeba, but for the nuts we add them only on top , plus it should be chilled a bit before baking so it won’t spread out like the traditional cookie
Been making these for 40 yrs now and while we don’t celebrate Xmas - they always seem to be a “ winter cookie treat “ oh and I learned to make them known as “ Mexican wedding cookies “ then yrs later found them as Russian tea cakes - no diff in recipes ! Waves from Fairbanks Alaska 👋👋❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
My mother made them every year for Christmas and her’s were very flavorful. Some recipes for this cookie do not contain salt, but they need a little salt.
I use the exact same recipe every year and do the same thing. I think the recipe originally came from a very old Better Crocker cookbook. I use pecans and also put a half a pecan in the center of the cookie as a little extra something.
Got so excited when I saw the recipe! I am from Bulgaria and these look exactly like the ones my grandma made when I was a kid. I really hope they would also taste the same.😊 It happens to have all the ingredients so I am going to find out today! Thank you 😊
Where I come from, Middle East, we make a fragrant yeast dough, stuff single portions of it with the walnuts, brush them with a whisked egg and then bake them. You would love them, I think.
Literally the most wholesome person on the internet.
♥️
I agree he just makes me smile and happy.
He is amazing and just such a nice, warm hearted person! Need more of this during this holiday season! BTW I dream about your ovens and cooktops 👨🍳👨🍳👨🍳. So beautiful. 🎄🎄
have you seen micarah tewer's dad? he's super wholesome as well :D
100%!
In Greece they’re called kourambiedes and my mom would add orange blossom essence to the batter, as well as a little grounded cloves. My favorite Christmas cookie.
I love how so many people have memories of cooking these with their mother. I'm sorry for those who have lost their mom, but happy to hear that this special holiday memory remains in their heart and mind
I am from Russia and I have never seen them anywhere in Russia! 😁😁 But I am exited to try this! Maybe this looks a little like a pryaniki.
I think its is or its similar
Это и есть пряники
🤣
@@devilicus666 ну не сказал бы, пряники обычно на молоке или кефире делаются, но не на масле, на масле обычно печенье делают
@@devilicus666 ну какие это пряники.... это обычное песочное печенье с добавлением орехов, горка сахарной пудры типа сугроб!
My mother used to make a cookie just like this every Christmas. She made hundreds because everyone who stopped by at Christmas loved them. She called them butterballs. She is no longer with us so I make them now, though I don't like walnuts, so I use pecans. Thank you for this video and for bringing to mind the memory of helping her every Christmas. You are a joy, John!!
These are quite similar to the greek traditional christmas cookies called kurabiedes, which are made mid December for the upcoming holidays! Brings back so many childhood memories..
My mother called these "Walnut Balls." She made these every year for the holidays, and I still, to this day have a difficult time showing any self control with these in the house! She gave me a recipe book for Christmas one year where she had hand written all the recipes from my childhood, and of course this recipe is in that book! She is no longer with us... but her recipes live ON!
"Walnut Balls" is certainly better than other names. "Nut Ball Cookies" would be good too. I use pecans. I have liked them also with Anise. Your mom lives on in your memories, your traditions, and your care to others who follow. Keep her living by making great cookies. Thanks for your comment to John's channel.
I have been hunting for a good Russian Tea Cake or Mexican Wedding Cookie recipe for a few days, and here you come to the rescue! I will bake these as Christmas gifts for my neighbors. Thanks John!
I have been making these since about 11 yrs old, starting with just rolling them in 10x with green and red sugar sprinkles. Here I am at 58 yrs old and these are still the one main cookie on my buffet every year. Thank you so much for calling them Russia Tea Cakes. I see so many different names. But let it be known….these are Russian Tea Cakes! Thank you babes. P.S. when I make something new, I look it up on your page first. We just adore you!!
We make Russian tea cakes every xmas! One year my brother made a cube-shaped one and that became our tradition to have at least one cube per batch. :)
I LOVE that you keep your OOPSYs in your videos instead of editing them out. We all make those little mistakes, and it's nice to see we're not alone. Plus, you're so good-natured about it. You're a joy to watch.
My family comes from Czech Republic, where these are shaped into crescents called vanilkové rohlíčky. Main difference is the addition of egg yolks, and the powdered sugar doesn't contain cornstarch. They're one of the top 3 classics at Christmastime, when a Czech family makes an average of 8 types of cookies.
My dad's side of the family is 100% Slovakian. I especially loved the nut roll! John, could you show us how to make that???
My mother-in-law was a great cook, as was my own dear mom, from whom I inherited my love of cooking! Come to think of it, I come from a whole family of great cooks on both sides of the family, Slovakian on one side & Scotch and Irish on the other!
My mother-in-law used to make Russian tea cakes every Christmas. I'm so glad you made this video, because I seemed to have lost her recipe! Now I can make them! Yay!
John, I L❤VE your videos! Your recipes are DE•LI•CIOUS!!! And your presentations are always such fun!!! Please don't edit out your bloopers!!! I think I speak for nearly everyone when I say, WE LOVE 'EM!!!
These cookies remind me something of Mexican wedding cookies. Those are my favorite! Can't wait to try these! Also, I would love to see you make and updated creme brulee (if possible)!
Same cookie hon I promise
Yeah this is the same recipe I use for Mexican wedding cookies.
Exact same cookie
Yeah I grew up knowing them as the same thing and I was like...no they're not Russian they're Mexican! Lol same recipe
very much, I grew up calling them russian tea cakes
My mother used to call them Mexican Wedding Cakes
Mine friend calls them Russian white cakes, because it looked like a snow pile because of powdered sugar.
My ma calls them mexican wedding cakes too!
I am in California. I have heard both, but we also say Mexican Wedding Cakes. Yum! Great channel.
In mexico we call them pastisetas
@@andresnietogonzalez6931 no son besos de nuez?
I'm from Moscow and these are really some of our favorite tea cookies. How wonderful to see cooking in your own way. Thank you, you are the best !!! :)
I love these cookies and I always add cardamom ...just 1/4 teaspoon! OMG so good
I will try that!
That sounds divine!
I LOVE cardamom. I use it in my ableskiver recipe
Exactly so delicious!
If u drink tea with milk and this cookie OMG delicious 🤤
I’ve only ever known these as Mexican wedding cookies. I love making these every Christmas! ☺️
My dad's side of the family is 100% Slovakian. He's one of 12 children. The women baked a lot at Christmastime. No Russian tea cakes, but I especially loved their nut roll! John, could you show us how to make that???
My mother-in-law was a great cook, as was my own dear mom, from whom I inherited my love of cooking! Come to think of it, I come from a whole family of great cooks on both sides of the family, Slovakian on one side & Scotch and Irish on the other!
My mother-in-law used to make these Russian tea cakes every Christmas. I'm so glad you made this video, because I seemed to have lost her recipe! Now I can make them! Yay!
John, I L❤VE your videos! Your recipes are DE•LI•CIOUS!!! And your presentations are always such fun!!! Please don't edit out your bloopers!!! I think I speak for nearly everyone when I say, WE L❤VE 'EM!!! And we L🥰VE you!!! Many thanks from Pennsylvania!😋😉❣
This recipe is super similar to greek 'Kourabiedes', commonly made during Christmas! In this variation some people include a tiny bit of a nut extract; and my goodness, the smell when they bake is out of this world!
These cookies look like snowballs! What a perfect side kick for your delicious brownies! Package them up for a nice gift! Thank You John☃️💖
Where I'm from, they're called Snowball Cookies 😉
I know them as Mexican Wedding Cookies! My college roommate makes the best and I'd still her cookies non stop! :)
My gma used to make these. They were a favorite, but she never told us what they were. I’ve been using a Mexican Wedding Cookie recipe I found. It’s the same cookie, but the texture just isn’t quite like Grandma’s. 🤔 Hers were meltier and sometimes had a little squeakiness in the bite. This Russian Tea Cake recipe has powdered sugar IN THE DOUGH! THAT’S THE SQUEAKY MELTINESS I’M MISSING! I know it is! Huzzah! 🎉 🥰🥰🥰 THANK YOU! This really means a lot. You’re the best! 😘 Weeee! 😆
I’m from eastern kentucky and we call these Italian wedding cookies! I haven’t made a batch in years, but this video inspired me to make them again this years! Thanks and cheers!
Sand Tarts or Sandies. (Texas) LOVE THEM I have a recipe from my 9th grade Homemaking class teacher in 1972!!! I doubt they even have "Homemaking" classes any more!
In Puerto Rico we call them "Mantecaditos" and "Polvorones", too. They are so delicious! Your recipe looks easier. 👍
He's explaining recipe
Im just looking at his kitchen and utensils!!😍
Yeah he has such a beautiful kitchen, im jealous
We call them Italian wedding cookies. And they are to die for. I now make them every year and give them in gifts. Everyone loves them and some have even told me they can’t wait for all the things I make at Christmas especially these. Thx for sharing. Merry Christmas and God bless
Can I add chocolate to this recipe? I wanna make these cookies but my family wants chocolate chip 🍪
@@electraheart2823 WHAT 😳😳😳!!!!!
I’d tell them to up their cookie taste buds. They can have chocolate chip cookies anytime of the year. Live on the edge of the chip 😂😂😂!!! You could always make a batch for yourself. I’ll pray for your success!! Merry Christmas 🎄 and God bless 🕊💜🕊
@@jellybelly7629 thank youuu so much and merry Christmas ♥♥I hope u have a blessed holiday 💖
Very similar to something we make in my family. We just call them Pecan Balls. However, the pecans (or whatever nuts) are finely ground and actually replace some of the flour in the recipe. HEAVEN!!
Hi Preppy. My Grandmother makes these cookies, but a little bit different. She put less flour and more nuts, then she stretches mass on the table about half of the centimeter thin, and then cut circles around 2.5 cm wide. After they are backed she connects two pieces with plum or apricot jam and rolls them into the powdered sugar. We called them (Vanilice) In translation small vanilla cakes. I come from Serbia and I love these cakes.
Greek kourabiedes a cookie we traditionally bake at Christmas but with a twist .. we use crashed roasted skinless almonds ! 😁♥️
We get those here in Australia and they are the best ever!
I thought it said skinnier almonds for sec.... I need new glasses.
@@what-oy7rx They are skinnier almonds because they have no skins on to fatten them up :)
@@aabacada1614 I see..
I know them as swedish tea cakes. You do a great job! Thank you! 😊
My grandma used to make russian tea cakes clear back in the 60s and 70s when I was a little girl. They were one of my favorites.
Yours spread out while cooking more than Grandma's did, hers stayed pretty much ball shaped.
I love this cookies,i used almond flour and all purpose flour combined,but it has to be refrigerated all the time.Thank you John I loved your way of cooking and baking, iam a big Fan from the Philippines.
They remind me a lot of the almond crescents I make, with the exception of the shape and nut type.
Ever since my grandma passed a few years back we’ve tried to make her Russian Tea Cakes EVERY year at our family baking day (we usually do it on Black Friday but obvs not this year) and they are soo hard to get right! But when they are done right..... 😋😋
You are the best chef on the internet! A big hug from Ecuador. Thanks a lot for your recipes.
They kind of remind me of the Spanish “polvorones”. You should try them out!!!
I swore it was polvorones when I saw the pic and then I saw the title and was confused o.o
That is nothing like Spanish polvorones, not even the look of them. Both are wonderful sweets, totally unrelated.
They’re not really like polvorones buttt the color and shape def reminded me of them😋 and now I want some
They actually look like sth in México called "besos de nuez"
In my house we call them the Greek cookies they are very delicious my neighbor is Greek so every time she makes them we get to have some authentic Greek cookies 🤗😃
Kourampiedes
@@vesnanikoloudaki2878 Kourampiedhes!!!! ❤❤
@XXBpark2 I looove them! Actually, I prefer melomakarona over kourampiedhes! Cheers from Athens!
These are my favorite cookies and I've been making them since the 1970s. I find with my recipe it helps to not only shape it into a ball but then squish the ball and re-shape it again. I also do the first coat of confectioner's sugar shortly after they come out of the oven, but they're so fragile at that point I stack them on a plate, leave them overnight, and re-roll them the second day in the morning. Perfect. My mom made them and I've made ever since high school. Emeril Lagasse's recipe is just like ours.
Beautifully taught lesson in how not to spread powdered sugar all over the kitchen! Nicely done. Love ya. Great cookies.
In greek, they are called ''kourampiedes''
Classic greek christmas cookie
He made them last year.
So delish!!
Its very common in south africa too, a lot of greeks there
I use finely chopped pecans in my Russian Tea Cakes. They were a family favorite at Christmas time so I used to make 20 to 30 dozen to share with everyone. I can taste them now. They melt in your mouth.
I made these years ago with pecans, but my recipe called for much smaller cookies. I’ve had so much success with your recipes, that I’m going to try them!
In our Italian household as a child (50 yrs ago) we called them Butter Balls. I still make them every year for Christmas. They do literally melt in your mouth.
I use Maple ,Vanilla, Coconut extracts, pecan, walnut, orange, lemon rinds and mini chocolate chips depending on my taste buds. I’ve been making these weekly
Yes, like almost everybody already said, we know them as Polvorones here in Mexico 😁🇲🇽
I've actually made them, but I do let the dough in the refrigerator for about 30min, and I cover them with powdered sugar after they cooled down. The sugar does stick to the cookies so no problem 😁 I'll try your recipe of course! They look more soft and absolutely delicious 🤤💜
Thank you for sharing your recipes! Happy holidays 🙆🏻♀️💜🎄
russian tea cakes are now on my gonna-bake-in-2021-bake-list!
This is my go to Christmas cookie except I use pecans and we call them Mexican wedding cookies.
I have made these every year for over 40 years. Just a simple buttery Christmas cookie.
I was taught to make these in HS by an activity teacher I had, Sr. Aida Flores ❤she called them Mexican wedding cookies. I make them every year, so so good. Merry Christmas 🎁
A.k.a Czech snowballs ... make them every year since 1983 for my Czech hubby!! 🤗
Wonderful! We definetely have something very similar in our family, the only difference is that we usually add a little bit of sour cream/creme fraiche ("smetana" in russian) to the batter. It adds a bit of sour "tang" to the flavour, which is absolutely delicious)
My mother made these as Mexican Wedding Cookies and I still make these.
I LOVE Russian tea cakes! My version uses pecans, which are also very delicious. I've made these cookies with almonds and shaped them into crescents. All very yummy, and fun to make.😋
My Mother was a Baker and made those during Holidays and I LOVED EM !
These are similar to my mother’s Mexican wedding cookies. She would always make them at Christmas. They remind me of New Mexico.
Southern guy, here. And my grandmother always made "pecan sandies" for Christmas treats every year. She made use of the huge pecan tree in her front yard. They are still a holiday favorite of mine.
Just made these for my office cookie swap. Followed your recipe exactly and wow, these were exceptional. Soooo easy to make as well. I used to buy these from a little shop here for like $7 a container. Not anymore!!!
I am from Greece. We call them kourambiedes and we put mainly almonds into the mixture. I wish you happy holidays and merry xmas!!!❣❣❣
I make these every year! My sister adores them, and I enjoy how rewarding they are for nearly no effort! ❤️
My mother is Polish and she called these Bohemian crescents. And, of course, shaped them into crescents. So delicious! Every year for my entire life. Everyone loves these so make 3 big batches and give to friends and neighbors.
In the center of México we have the exact same recipe, except we usually use pecan nuts, also a bit roasted on the fraying pan and we call them either: "besos de novia" (bride's kisses), or "besos de nuez" (nuts' kisses) or "besos de angel" (angel's kisses)... 👌🏻💪🏻 Very nice recipe!!! And YES, this also DOES remind me of my mom cuz these are her favorite cookies of the worl, and also, the only ones she would bake "just because" every now and then... The smell is just... Exactly that, like an angel's kiss 🩵
my grandmother just bought them from the store as mexican wedding cookies and I loved them as a child... but a few years I found the recipe and wow they are so easy to make and taste better than store bought cookies!
Love watching John’s videos. . He is so Real! A great teacher ..
My late mother made these every Christmas- Over time I made them and they are always a big hit!
Me and my aunt Sue Sue used to make cookies like these called cocoon cookies. One of my favorite Christmas memories!
We make these every year at Christmas and for as long as I can remember (at least 50 years) we have always called them Noel Cookies super yum!!
They're like our Arabic Maamoul biscuits, but we tend to fill ours with date paste or pistachios or walnuts and we also make a pretty design on top!
The greek "kourampiedhes"!!! We eat them every Xmas!! And we adore them!!!
It's an honor John Kanell, my daughter as a Christmas present gave me your incredible cookbook "Preppy kitchen!" Which I'm fascinated & just estatic with thank you so much sweetheart for sharing your talent & recipes with us! Yes I have been baking your recipes, right now I have been baking mostly your desserts cookies & cheesecakes. I can't afford a "Kitchenaid" but sweetheart I'm enjoying myself! DELICIOUS all of your recipes are incredibly delicious & you're the BEST teacher! Thank you again sweetheart may God continue blessing you & your's 😇💙🙏🏼💐
Mexican wedding cookies, but I use pecans bake them every year..so good and you can't have only one,.. perfect holiday cookie
"Russian" seems to be the oldest of names. I call them "Nut Balls," and make them two or three times each year. I prefer them with pecans, only because walnuts sometimes burn my mouth. I don't know why, but, well, what happens, happens. For those who like walnuts and don't endure the burn, hey rah to you. Thus, I go with pecans, and love them. I also, sometimes, add a bit of anise. If you hate anise, well, leave it out. If you like it in candy, try it. Thanks, John, for keeping this wonderful recipe. Love your channel. Hey. Once upon a time, I met a cookie with lots of cocoa and some anise, covered in powdered sugar, soft, chewy, someone's holiday tradition. Know it? I would love to see that recipe. Still, thanks, and keep on baking!
aw God Bless you . I got tears in my eyes when you said you use to make those with your mother when you was little . I really love your cookie recipes they look so easy to make . I haven't tried them but I will maybe I will try them with Stevia sugar . Take care
I made this recipe for the Christmas Holidays this year as gifts. I think I made about 6 batches with various nuts, Almond, Walnuts, and hazel nuts. They were and are a HIT. I now have to make them on a regular basis..
Thank you for an easy and LEKKER (delicious) in Dutch.
Elliott expat living in the Netherlands
I’ve been making these for years at Christmas time. I add red & green sugar to the powdered sugar to jazz them up. My husband loves them.
I've made these forever. In our family we call them butterballs. They are truly delicious whatever you call them! cheers
I love how relaxed you are in these videos, I will definitely make these. Also I thought you should know I loved these so much as a kid and this brings back so many memories.
Thank u so much, by the way, for the recepy. In Russia we do them with kefir or russian sour cream. But I don't live in Russia. So I never managed to adap Russian recepies to locally available ingredients...Now I'll try to use ur recepy and incorporate flavors of my childhood:)
We also made these with pecans, and rolled them out as logs but to points on each end and curved into a semi-circle to make cresents or half moon shapes. My favorite!!
We called these snowballs, butter meltaways, or snowball meltaway cookies. Love these. I made an ersatz version one year with brown rice baby cereal instead of flour, cinnamon, orange juice concentrate, (out of vanilla) orange rind and a little vanilla bean ice cream, and they were delicious.
My family calls them Russian Tea Cakes. I used to make them with my mom every Christmas. I make them every year for the nostalgia. 🎄
My mom made these every year, and now I do too. And we did call them Russian tea cakes. I am from CT as well.
It doesn't snow here, but when it gets cold.. I love baking and enjoying the cozy ambiance!
Made these and they are to die for! I may have burnt the walnuts a bit, but still turned out delicious. Glad to have finally found this recipe! Thank you, John!
Italian Wedding Cookies!! I’ve been to many Italian weddings and never have seen these cookies there, but that’s what we call them!!
My mom made a version of these cookies every Christmas. Her recipe used toasted slivered almonds instead of walnuts and we called them Snowball Cookies....yum!
A joy to watch. Thank you so much for your good cheer and joy. Happy New Year from Ireland
I'm from near Buffalo, NY and mom always called them Russian Tea Cakes. My favorite Christmas cookie.
Thanks for posting this! I grew up with these (In Iowa) for Christmas..and so did my kids. We make them a tiny bit smaller so they are 'bite size' and call them Russian Tea Cakes...I plan to make some tomorrow!!
It’s so awesome to see so many names for this one cookie. Food brings people and cultures together! I love it! We call them Danish wedding cookies.
I was raised calling them Hungarian wedding cookies lol I guess they're an international wedding cookie
I'am hungarian and never heard this cookie before. 🤣
It’s very similar to Ghorayeba, but for the nuts we add them only on top , plus it should be chilled a bit before baking so it won’t spread out like the traditional cookie
Been making these for 40 yrs now and while we don’t celebrate Xmas - they always seem to be a “ winter cookie treat “ oh and I learned to make them known as “ Mexican wedding cookies “ then yrs later found them as Russian tea cakes - no diff in recipes !
Waves from Fairbanks Alaska
👋👋❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
My mother made them every year for Christmas and her’s were very flavorful. Some recipes for this cookie do not contain salt, but they need a little salt.
I use the exact same recipe every year and do the same thing. I think the recipe originally came from a very old Better Crocker cookbook. I use pecans and also put a half a pecan in the center of the cookie as a little extra something.
Since childhood (over 70 years ago), these have been my very favorite Christmas cookies.
Got so excited when I saw the recipe! I am from Bulgaria and these look exactly like the ones my grandma made when I was a kid. I really hope they would also taste the same.😊 It happens to have all the ingredients so I am going to find out today! Thank you 😊
John, I LOVE your channel. Thanks for posting these awesome recipes!
Where I come from, Middle East, we make a fragrant yeast dough, stuff single portions of it with the walnuts, brush them with a whisked egg and then bake them. You would love them, I think.
I just made these...a quick desert when you have no time. Very delicious 😋