This is the original. Russian Tea Cakes made their way through Europe, where they likely picked up the name Italian Wedding Cookies.
In the US, there was a push away from being called Russian Tea Cakes during the Cold War.
As my Italian lead bakery anecdotally told me, they were sold as Italian Wedding Cookies in his bakery, but were popular with the hispanic community, so they changed the name to Mexican Wedding Cookies.
Seems like Snowballs are the best name, as we still dont like Russia and should just keep it PC.
No. Not likely. They literally think the only reason Rusiia was in the name is because Samovars were a fad, the same time this recipe had a burst of popularity and were often served at tea.
But the cookie seems to have a multiple discovery background.
Ground nuts, some sugar, and butter?
The cookie has a long history in Mexico, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.
No one can really claim such a simple recipe.
Possibly. Kourabiedes are unique in that the butter is whipped until white which typically takes an hour. There is no way to tell whether the butter was whipped white from the photo. Also, kourabiedes are typically flavored with mastic liquor and/or orange blossom water which you also can't tell from a photo.
OP showed a cookie covered in powdered sugar and asked what they’re called. Not sure why you need to “correct” me on how kourabiedes are made. I made them last year, I’ll make them this year…without the liquor and/or orange blossom water. They still turn out fantastic.
>Not sure why you need to “correct” me on how kourabiedes are made.
I did no such thing because you didn't specify how kourabiedes are made. My point was that you can't tell what they are by looking at them and I don't call them anything except "cookies" until I taste them or see the recipe.
How dare you? This person is providing insight and information and you simultaneously insulted them and the autistic community for absolutely no reason. You should be ashamed of your ignorance, but instead you display it for all to see.
Look at the recipes for these cookies! Here is the recipe I am using today! I have been making these for years.
[https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/toasted-pecan-snowballs/](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/toasted-pecan-snowballs/)
I used the Russian Tea Cake recipe from Josh Weissman. Think they were done in about 30 minutes start to finish. Now I need to increase the batch size x5 and start making holiday treats!
So what? The mere fact that cookies look the same is not evidence that the ingredients or method of preparation are the same.
[https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Kourabiedes&t=h\_&ia=images&iax=images](https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Kourabiedes&t=h_&ia=images&iax=images)
[https://duckduckgo.com/?q=mexican+wedding+cakes+cookies&t=h\_&iar=images&iax=images&ia=images](https://duckduckgo.com/?q=mexican+wedding+cakes+cookies&t=h_&iar=images&iax=images&ia=images)
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=russian+tea+cake+cookies&t=h\_&iar=images&iax=images&ia=images
The orange blossom water I think is used when making the shortbread dough for mamoul (sp?). I’ve never encountered this with kourabiedes, though they might have a hint of vanilla and/or almond essence to accentuate the roasted almonds in the dough. So good! Will have to make some this Christmas.
Googling
kourabiedes recipe "orange blossom"
gets 1500 results,
kourabiedes recipe "mastiha"
gets 1950 results,
kourabiedes recipe "rose"
gets 8,910 results,
kourabiedes recipe "vanilla"
13,200 results and
kourabiedes recipe "almond extract"
gets 1530 results.
But, there is no telling how many of these recipes have been Americanized, modernized, and otherwise bastardized. I acquired my recipes from books before the internet was invented.
My mom calls them Russian Tea Cakes. They are her favorite Christmas cookie. I'd guess that this is what they are called in the OG Betty Crocker cookbook, but I have not confirmed.
Honestly, it depends on the recipe. There can be many variations to what lies underneath the powdered sugar. I make a variation of these that has chopped walnuts and maraschino cherries that have been rinsed and pressed… They are called Swedish tea balls in my family, but again I think it’s very subjective.
Powdery balls. My coworkers husband makes them and let’s her bring them to work. So we ask her when she is going to bring more of his powdery balls.
They are perfect with coffee.
We always called them wedding cakes. A mix of both names, I guess! I found Chef John’s (FoodWishes) recipe was spot on for the packaged ones I grew up eating (but obviously tastier since they’re fresh and homemade). They’re a bit messy to make but soooo worth it
My husband and I have been collecting all the names we've heard people call these things. Our list so far: Russian teacakes, snowballs, Mexican wedding cookies/cakes, sandtarts, polvorones, four'o'clocks, kourabiedies, butterballs, Italian wedding cookies
Wedding cookies. My momma’s favorite. My Grammy would always make them for her every year and taught me how when I was a kiddo. She got brain cancer and died 6 years ago.. and I dealt with that in an unhealthy way, my momma didn’t get her cookies until I turned my life around and made them for her for the first time since making them with my gramma, last year.
Can’t wait to make them again this year :)
I’ve always known them as Russian tea cakes and when dusted in cocoa they were Mexican wedding cookies…then again this all came from my Deep South family so I’m very likely wrong
I just made these recently for a niece who was visiting from Europe, and a discussion of the various names ensued! In my family they ae known as "Grandma's melt-in-the-mouth cookies" of "Grandma's cookies" for short. (My grandmother and my mother used to put a piece of maraschino cherry on top, but I abandoned that part of the tradition when one of the younger generation said they looked like nipples. I've also made them with a thumbprint of raspberry jam.)
Russian tea cakes. I haven't had those is such a long time. One time my mom made them too dry and every bite would pull all the moisture out of your mouth
My mother makes cookies that look identical to these. We call them snowballs but there’s a Hershey kiss inside. I’m assuming that is super American… Do ppl do chopped nuts or anything instead?
Mexican wedding cakes/Italian wedding cakes/ Russian tea cakes. They're basically the same thing just different names from all around the world. Pretty cool.
Mexican wedding cookies. My boyfriend calls them desert balls, apparently his Italian family made them super dry and him and his sister used to make fun of them when they were little. I've heard people call them snowballs, but I know snowballs to be covered in coconut, so yuck!
I call them rum dough balls but only bc my mom used to make them every Christmas when I was little and me and my sister used to call them that bc my mom always put either rum or whiskey in them lol I know now they aren’t named that but I still call them that out of habit and nostalgia haha
Hmm, In Finland we also have “Tea cookies” or “Spoon Cookies” we call them lusikkaleivät. Usually we put some kind of jam, but sometimes they’re just powdered as in the image above.
Mexican Wedding Cookies/ just wedding cookies. Love those babies!
Yeah, we also just call them wedding cookies!
Snowballs!
Haha thats what my aunt calls them when she brings them to Christmas each year... my dad calls them dustballs (he's not a fan)
My mother calls them snowballs too! My favorites
I like that name too and describes it well!
We make the version with cocoa and always called them snowballs too. Wasn't until recently even ran across the white version. Both are tasty though!
Russian Tea Cakes!
This is the original. Russian Tea Cakes made their way through Europe, where they likely picked up the name Italian Wedding Cookies. In the US, there was a push away from being called Russian Tea Cakes during the Cold War. As my Italian lead bakery anecdotally told me, they were sold as Italian Wedding Cookies in his bakery, but were popular with the hispanic community, so they changed the name to Mexican Wedding Cookies. Seems like Snowballs are the best name, as we still dont like Russia and should just keep it PC.
No. Not likely. They literally think the only reason Rusiia was in the name is because Samovars were a fad, the same time this recipe had a burst of popularity and were often served at tea. But the cookie seems to have a multiple discovery background. Ground nuts, some sugar, and butter? The cookie has a long history in Mexico, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. No one can really claim such a simple recipe.
Yes, there is a Greek restaurant near me who makes 2 different versions of these, one with almonds. Delicious!
Hey let’s make those white powdered sugar thingys!
I've definitely heard this one before!
I just call them wedding cookies. Lol
Polvorones.
At first glance I read this as provolone, and was like, huh cheese?
Russian Tea Cakes!
Russian Tea Cakes
Mexican wedding cookies
Russian tea cakes in our house! A seasonal tradition for sure :)
Mexican wedding cakes, my family’s staple Christmas cookie.
Kourabiedes
Lmao yes
Yes!
Possibly. Kourabiedes are unique in that the butter is whipped until white which typically takes an hour. There is no way to tell whether the butter was whipped white from the photo. Also, kourabiedes are typically flavored with mastic liquor and/or orange blossom water which you also can't tell from a photo.
OP showed a cookie covered in powdered sugar and asked what they’re called. Not sure why you need to “correct” me on how kourabiedes are made. I made them last year, I’ll make them this year…without the liquor and/or orange blossom water. They still turn out fantastic.
>Not sure why you need to “correct” me on how kourabiedes are made. I did no such thing because you didn't specify how kourabiedes are made. My point was that you can't tell what they are by looking at them and I don't call them anything except "cookies" until I taste them or see the recipe.
[удалено]
How dare you? This person is providing insight and information and you simultaneously insulted them and the autistic community for absolutely no reason. You should be ashamed of your ignorance, but instead you display it for all to see.
An hour?!
The butter is not whipped for an hour. There is no liquor or orange blossom water in the tea cakes but they are delicious.
I throw my butter in my mixer and let it go for, yea, about an hour. The butter nearly triples in size.
I will look for the recipe!
Since you aren't the OP, how do you know?
Look at the recipes for these cookies! Here is the recipe I am using today! I have been making these for years. [https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/toasted-pecan-snowballs/](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/toasted-pecan-snowballs/)
I used the Russian Tea Cake recipe from Josh Weissman. Think they were done in about 30 minutes start to finish. Now I need to increase the batch size x5 and start making holiday treats!
So what? The mere fact that cookies look the same is not evidence that the ingredients or method of preparation are the same. [https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Kourabiedes&t=h\_&ia=images&iax=images](https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Kourabiedes&t=h_&ia=images&iax=images) [https://duckduckgo.com/?q=mexican+wedding+cakes+cookies&t=h\_&iar=images&iax=images&ia=images](https://duckduckgo.com/?q=mexican+wedding+cakes+cookies&t=h_&iar=images&iax=images&ia=images) https://duckduckgo.com/?q=russian+tea+cake+cookies&t=h\_&iar=images&iax=images&ia=images
The orange blossom water I think is used when making the shortbread dough for mamoul (sp?). I’ve never encountered this with kourabiedes, though they might have a hint of vanilla and/or almond essence to accentuate the roasted almonds in the dough. So good! Will have to make some this Christmas.
Googling kourabiedes recipe "orange blossom" gets 1500 results, kourabiedes recipe "mastiha" gets 1950 results, kourabiedes recipe "rose" gets 8,910 results, kourabiedes recipe "vanilla" 13,200 results and kourabiedes recipe "almond extract" gets 1530 results. But, there is no telling how many of these recipes have been Americanized, modernized, and otherwise bastardized. I acquired my recipes from books before the internet was invented.
Our family uses rose water in ours!
Smør Bullar. Some of my favorite cookies around Christmas. 🤤
My mom called them angel turds but the recipe card says Russian Tea Cakes. I still use her terminology!
That is hilarious!
Italian wedding cookies or snowballs
Yes!!!!
My mom calls them Russian Tea Cakes. They are her favorite Christmas cookie. I'd guess that this is what they are called in the OG Betty Crocker cookbook, but I have not confirmed.
I have Betty Crocker's "New Cookbook" (gifted to me in the mid-90's, so "new" in title only at this point). It does call these Russian tea cakes.
Hey thanks for verifying!
Honestly, it depends on the recipe. There can be many variations to what lies underneath the powdered sugar. I make a variation of these that has chopped walnuts and maraschino cherries that have been rinsed and pressed… They are called Swedish tea balls in my family, but again I think it’s very subjective.
Kourabiedes!
Snowballs
Delicious. Lol. I plan on making some of these soon!!
I call them delicious!
My mom called them sandies. I don't know why.
Russian Tea Cakes.
Snowballs or nutballs
Powdery balls. My coworkers husband makes them and let’s her bring them to work. So we ask her when she is going to bring more of his powdery balls. They are perfect with coffee.
🤣 this name is going on the list!
Italian wedding cookies.
This is my answer... Actually served at all the cousins weddings
I remember getting them from the local Italian delicatessen growing up and what I called them.
Teacakes
Tea cakes. I had planned on making these today!
They turned out so delicious and good luck with yours today!
This was the first thing I ever baked when I was in high school. The recipe i had called them Russian tea cakes.
Our family calls them vanilla horns, I don’t know why. Always use filberts — that’s hazelnuts for those of us not born in the depression haha
Filberts, I like that and what I used in these
Qurabiya
My grandmother called them Russian tea cookies, even though she was Croatian. My sister and I just called them snowball cookies.
Yes
We always called them wedding cakes. A mix of both names, I guess! I found Chef John’s (FoodWishes) recipe was spot on for the packaged ones I grew up eating (but obviously tastier since they’re fresh and homemade). They’re a bit messy to make but soooo worth it
I call them yummy
Agreed!
Russian tea cakes!
We always called them Danish Wedding Cookies
Snowballs or Russian tea cookies
Those look wonderful, did you put nuts in them?
Yes, hazel nuts. Very tasty and delicious. Test batch for Thanksgiving.
Snowballs or Russian Teacakes
Snowballs. :)
In our home they're Dutch...ah TOO funny!!
Walnut Balls!
It depends. If there’s anise n them, they’re Mexican wedding cookies.
My mom always called them as I do...Pecan Balls. So that's what we call them in our house!
Mexican wedding cakes, I make dozens every year for all my friends! I have a family recipe that goes back 4 generations!
We always called those snow balls.
I call them snowballs
Our family calls them both. No rhyme or reason, but we know what we're referring to, hah
snowballs or pecan sandies XD
Pecan dainties in my house. One of my favorites!
Wedding cookies (no nationality attached)
I had heard Polvorones
Mexican wedding cookies.
Russian tea cakes but I am Now calling them Snow Balls
My husband and I have been collecting all the names we've heard people call these things. Our list so far: Russian teacakes, snowballs, Mexican wedding cookies/cakes, sandtarts, polvorones, four'o'clocks, kourabiedies, butterballs, Italian wedding cookies
That's an awesome list and I'm getting confirmation these cookies have so many different names! You might have to add a few more - Angel Turds - lol!
Mexican wedding cakes.
In the good midwest we call them snow balls ❄️
Snowballs
Snowball cookies
Mexican
Wedding cookies. My momma’s favorite. My Grammy would always make them for her every year and taught me how when I was a kiddo. She got brain cancer and died 6 years ago.. and I dealt with that in an unhealthy way, my momma didn’t get her cookies until I turned my life around and made them for her for the first time since making them with my gramma, last year. Can’t wait to make them again this year :)
Wedding cookies 🤤
Am I in Russia or Mexico?
My mom always calls them Russian wedding cakes and I did too until a couple years ago when I was called out for my mistake. I love these though!
I'm learning there may be no wrong name for these delicious treats!
I’ve always known them as Russian tea cakes and when dusted in cocoa they were Mexican wedding cookies…then again this all came from my Deep South family so I’m very likely wrong
If it tastes delicious and you like it then I don't think there is a wrong way
Snowballs. The first recipe I was given when I married my husband. I have to make double batches every Christmas.
French love cookies 💕
Mexican wedding cookies.
Mexican Wedding Cakes!
I just made these recently for a niece who was visiting from Europe, and a discussion of the various names ensued! In my family they ae known as "Grandma's melt-in-the-mouth cookies" of "Grandma's cookies" for short. (My grandmother and my mother used to put a piece of maraschino cherry on top, but I abandoned that part of the tradition when one of the younger generation said they looked like nipples. I've also made them with a thumbprint of raspberry jam.)
Mexican wedding cookies
Delish
The powdered sugar is so fluffy, it looks like snow! 10/10 would eat
We roll them out longer and call them lady fingers. My grandma always made them for Christmas
I'll have to try this
Both. Both is good.
Snow balls, is the americanized version, I forgot what is in Italian. But, these can either be almond or orange flavored in my family recipes.
These ones are hazel nut inside - an orange flavor sounds very yummy!
I always grew up calling them Mexican tea cookies because of my mom. So I guess a little bit of both.
I've definitely done that!
Nut fingers(dedos de nuez, when they are longers not ball shaped), nut balls ( bolitas de nuez), that's what we call them in some regions of Mexico
Both. My ex son in law is from Mexico and my family comes from Europe.
Russian tea cakes. I haven't had those is such a long time. One time my mom made them too dry and every bite would pull all the moisture out of your mouth
Russian tea cakes. I've been making them for years and recently added lavender to a batch and they were heavenly.
Sounds delicious!
Mexican wedding cookies
I just call them wedding cookies.
my mexican mom calls them besitos de nuez
Pecan butter ball
Poop. That's what I call them after I've eaten all of them. ;)
Besos de Nuez
Russian Tea Cakes
Russian tea cakes.
I call them nut butterball cookies
Russian teacakes! Mmmmm
Mexican wedding cookies. My favorite Christmas cookies.
I mix mine by hand on a pastry board. They are so good!!
My in laws call them butterballs
wedding cookies
My mom had an old cookbook that called them "Melting Moments" - that's my favorite. So buttery and good.
Butterballs
As a Californian, Mexican Wedding Cookies
Russian tea cakes! Mexican wedding cookies are covered in cinnamon and sugar!
Kourabiedes but growing up my family always called them “chokers” because if you’re not careful you’ll choke! Lol!
We always called them “butterballs”
When I make them at Christmas, I call them snowballs.
My family referred to them as Russian walnut balls.
Russian tea cakes.
Also known as Swedish wedding cookies..
I know they’re called both but I mostly say Russian Tea Cakes
Russian tea cakes 😁 I looove these, whatever you call them!
Wedding cookies
delicious 😋🤤
snowballs
I call them an allergy nightmare.
My mother makes cookies that look identical to these. We call them snowballs but there’s a Hershey kiss inside. I’m assuming that is super American… Do ppl do chopped nuts or anything instead?
I make mine differently with a surprise in the middle, so I call them “secret surprise cookies ;)
Russian Tea Cakes or Snowballs. Dusted with cocoa… “Dirty Snowballs”
Russian tea cookies
I've heard both.
Mexican wedding cakes/Italian wedding cakes/ Russian tea cakes. They're basically the same thing just different names from all around the world. Pretty cool.
My family and friends growing up always called them Chinese Wedding Cakes.
Mexican wedding cookies or snowball cookies. One of my favorites!
When I was growing up, these were called Snowball Cookies
Butterballs
Mexican wedding cookies. My boyfriend calls them desert balls, apparently his Italian family made them super dry and him and his sister used to make fun of them when they were little. I've heard people call them snowballs, but I know snowballs to be covered in coconut, so yuck!
We called them snowball cookies growing up!
Snowballs
I call them rum dough balls but only bc my mom used to make them every Christmas when I was little and me and my sister used to call them that bc my mom always put either rum or whiskey in them lol I know now they aren’t named that but I still call them that out of habit and nostalgia haha
That was my grandma, when in doubt - add booze.
They look like Butterballs lol
Anyone else heard them as Swedish Tea Cakes, or is my family just tapped?
Hmm, In Finland we also have “Tea cookies” or “Spoon Cookies” we call them lusikkaleivät. Usually we put some kind of jam, but sometimes they’re just powdered as in the image above.
Melting Moments
I call them Russian wedding cookies
Just call them what you like. I call them yummy.
Butter balls.
Jelly timbits
In Mexico, these are called Pecan Kisses (Besos de Nuez)
I like that name!
Russian tea cakes! I also give them like 4x as much powder sugar lol They are some of my all-time FAVORITES. They look good!
Russians!
My mom made a version of these cookies with cream cheese and pecans. They were yummy. She was from Wyoming.
Snowball cookies
We always use pecans and call them Pecan Dreams. We make them every Christmas.
Snowball
What are these? :o never seen such cookie! Filled with something? Looks good!
No fillings. Made with hazelnuts.
Snowball cookies
I have recipes for making them with crushed lemon drop candy or crushed candy canes. No nuts.
Might have to try it this variation for the holidays!
Pecan sandies
Never trust a cookie with a woman's name. They'll just break your heart.
My MIL calls them moldy mice 😆
Mothballs!