This version of Santa is near and dear to my heart. Not because I am from Russia but because of a classic episode of Mystery Science Theatre 3000! Old episodes of the B-movie showcase have been what’s helped get me through the pandemic. One recent episode showcased a Soviet era film called Jack Frost.
The 1964 film is a mishmash of Scandanavian, Russian and Ukrainian folk tales.
Despite the fact that it’s been 30 years since the fall of the Iron Curtain, Jack Frost has become an annual holiday tradition in many former Soviet countries. That’s in large part due to Ded Moroz.
The name Ded Moroz, which means Father Frost or Grandfather Frost, has undergone a transformation over the years. Before the coming of Communism, Ded Moroz was responsible for 2 things- the coming of winter and the kidnapping of bad little boys and girls. Under Stalin, Ded Moroz’s stealing of children was removed, possibly because it reminded little ones of how the KGB would steal entire dissident families to Siberia. But Father Frost’s legacy of the coming winter outdated the writings of James R.R. Martin by centuries.
Ded Moroz wears a giant body-length blue fur coat. Sometimes it’s red, but the coat is always decked out in snowflakes. His powers come from his staff. But beware! Should a mortal touch the weather wizard’s staff, they’ll be turned to ice, forever!
This Santa appears to be busy all December long. He delivers toys to children on December 6th, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th and New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day depending on the country as Ded Moroz’s legacy spread over the Eastern bloc realm of the Slavic states starting in the 1950s. But don’t worry that Ded Moroz will tire out. He’s helped on his errands by his granddaughter, the snow maiden Snegurochka, who also has ice powers.
Don’t expect to find this Santa at the North Pole. According to tradition, Ded Moroz lives in a tiny toyshop in the tiny Russian town of Veliky Ustyug. There in his stable is a team of 4 sturdy horses who lead Ded Moroz’s troika over Russia’s icy plains.
For today’s cookie, I am sharing with you a version of one of my favorites- Russian tea cakes. This round cookies look like tiny snowballs. Maybe they were made by Ded Moroz and his granddaughter! Regardless, these guys are tasty.
Enjoy!
From Allrecipes.com
Russian Tea Cakes I
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 12 mins
Additional: 3 mins
Total: 35 mins
Servings: 36
Yield: 3 dozen
Ingredients
Ingredient Checklist
1 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped walnuts
⅓ cup confectioners' sugar for decoration
Directions
Step 1- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Step 2- In a medium bowl, cream butter and vanilla until smooth. Combine the 6 tablespoons confectioners' sugar and flour; stir into the butter mixture until just blended. Mix in the chopped walnuts. Roll dough into 1 inch balls, and place them 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Step 3- Bake for 12 minutes in the preheated oven. When cool, roll in remaining confectioners' sugar. I also like to roll mine in the sugar a second time.
Nutrition Facts
Per Serving:
102 calories; protein 1.3g 3% DV; carbohydrates 8.2g 3% DV; fat 7.3g 11% DV; cholesterol 13.6mg 5% DV; sodium 36.6mg 2% DV.
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