Another Writing Group Holiday Cookie!

Kate Michaelson, author of the award-winning mystery, Hidden Rooms

Last week, I shared with you a cookie recipe from award-winning and top-selling author, L.C. Hayden. Now, I'm delighted to share a second festive cookie from another member of my writing group.

Let me introduce Kate Michaelson (pictured) and her holiday cookie recipe.

Kate Michaelson’s debut novel, Hidden Rooms, follows a woman who returns to her Midwestern hometown and must clear her brother of a murder charge while also seeking answers to her own medical mystery. The book won the 2022 Hugh Holton Award and Michaelson explains, "I set out to write a page-turner that would validate the real-life experiences of people struggling with chronic conditions." (Check out her Amazon author page.)

Michaelson writes warm and compelling characters—as one reader put it: "Characters worth knowing" and as another reader shared, "You feel you know them and their friends and families in real life."

Since family is such an important theme in her writing, Michaelson selected this cookie recipe to share. She says, "It's my mom's Russian Tea Cake recipe I make every December. It's part of our family tradition."

Kate Michaelson's Holiday Russian Tea Cakes

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar (plus some additional powdered sugar for coating the cookies)

• 1 teaspoon real vanilla

• 2 1/4 cups unbleached flour

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• OPTIONAL ADD-IN:

  • 1 cup chopped walnuts

Equipment

• 1 good-sized mixing bowl

• Electric mixer

• Mixing spoon or spatula

• Measuring cups

• Baking sheet

• A dish or saucer for the additional powdered sugar

Directions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

• Mix softened butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar and vanilla in the bowl.

• Stir in flour and salt. (Add optional chopped walnuts if desired.)

• Shape dough into one-inch balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet.

• Bake 9 to 12 minutes. (Note: Cookies should be firm but not too brown.)

• Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar. Let cool completely and enjoy!

Michaelson speaks on her book, writing, and health and wellness topics at a variety of live events. Follow her on Facebook or Instagram for the latest news about her appearances.

If you try these cookies, let me know in the comments below. If the idea of writing buddy interests you, check out The Write Group.