The cookie exchange challenge is on! My amazing work family has decided to have a cookie exchange amongst our team. We’re all very competitive and I take this task seriously – okay as serious as you can with cookie baking. I’m not much of a baker since there’s so much precision involved. However, there’s something about Christmas cookies that brings out the baker in me.

After reviewing my family favorites, I selected the Russian Tea Cake. These buttery powdered sugar balls of bliss are one of my favorites. The recipe is one my mom has used for as long as I can remember so you know it’s good.

• 1 cup unsalted butter softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cups finely chopped walnuts
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar (set aside to roll the warm cookies in)

1. Combine all ingredients, mix well
2. Refrigerate dough until chilled (makes it easier to roll them into balls)
3. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper
4. Bake in a preheated oven of 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
5. Once baked roll while still hot in confectioners’ sugar until coated.  Let cool and you can lightly dust with more powered sugar if needed.