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Icebox Cookies Recipe: How to Make Icebox Cookies

Written by MasterClass

Last updated: Dec 19, 2023 • 3 min read

You can adapt this simple, sweet holiday cookie recipe to include a wide array of ingredients for a festive treat that will be the hit of your cookie exchange. Learn how to make icebox cookies at home.

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What Are Icebox Cookies?

Icebox cookies, also known as “refrigerator cookies,” are an old-fashioned type of sugar cookie made by chilling a dough made of flour, butter, sugar, baking soda, and vanilla extract, then baking it. You can make these cookies by molding the dough into long logs, slicing into rounds, and baking to chewy, golden-brown perfection.

Part of the process for making icebox cookies involves chilling the dough in the fridge, which means that you can make it in advance and store it in the refrigerator for easy last-minute dessert preparation.

4 Tips for Making Icebox Cookies

Make the most of these classic, shortbread-like cookies by following these helpful tips and suggestions:

  1. 1. Avoid overmixing the batter. When making icebox cookie dough, mix the ingredients until the batter has just formed. Overmixing can result in tough cookies and a batter that is difficult to handle.
  2. 2. Measure your flour carefully. Using too much or too little flour in this basic cookie dough recipe could result in dry, crumbly cookies or dough that is too soft to be workable. Take extra care to spoon the flour into a measuring cup and level it off at the top to make sure you’re using the proper amount.
  3. 3. Make the dessert in advance. You can make the dough for this icebox cookie recipe up to a week before a Christmas party, bake sale, or dinner. Simply form the dough logs, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and store them in the refrigerator for up to seven days. When you’re ready to bake, simply slice the cookies and place them in the oven.
  4. 4. Experiment with additions. You can easily adapt this sugar cookie recipe to suit many different palates. Add peppermint, orange, lemon, or almond extract to create a different flavor profile, or mix in chocolatey ingredients like cocoa powder, mini chocolate chips, or chopped chocolate. Add peanut butter for easy peanut butter cookies. Incorporate chopped nuts, like hazelnuts or pecans, into your dough for a nuttier confection, or mix in crushed pretzels for a sweet-and-savory combination. Decorate the cookies with colorful sprinkles or a drizzle of icing for some festive flair.

Simple Icebox Cookies Recipe

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6 Ratings | Rate Now

makes

2 dozen cookies

prep time

3 hr 15 min

total time

3 hr 25 min

cook time

10 min

Ingredients

  1. 1

    In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.

  2. 2

    In a large bowl, add the butter and sugars. Using a stand mixer or handheld mixer, cream the butter and sugar together until they are fluffy and light.

  3. 3

    Beat the eggs and vanilla extract into the creamed butter mixture until combined.

  4. 4

    With the mixer on low speed, mix half of the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until the flour is incorporated. Add the other half of the flour mixture to the dough and mix until just combined.

  5. 5

    Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the walnuts into the dough.

  6. 6

    Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and divide it into two equal segments.

  7. 7

    Form each segment into a log, and wrap each log tightly in wax paper.

  8. 8

    Transfer the dough to the refrigerator and chill for a minimum of 3 hours.

  9. 9

    When you’re ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease two baking sheets with cooking spray. If two baking sheets aren’t available, bake the cookies in batches.

  10. 10

    Remove the dough from the refrigerator and slice each log into ¼-inch thick slices.

  11. 11

    Place the cookies on the baking sheets, leaving 1 inch of space between each cookie.

  12. 12

    Transfer the cookie sheet to the oven, and bake until the cookies begin to brown around the edges, about 10 minutes.

  13. 13

    Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool. Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to a week.

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