Frosty Joy: The Icebox Cookies Recipe You’ll Love

Sweet memories flood back with every bite of these classic icebox delight cookies that have graced family gatherings for generations.

These no-bake treats blend creamy textures with rich chocolate and graham cracker magic.

Layers of silky pudding and whipped cream create a dessert that melts in you mouth with pure nostalgia.

Simple ingredients dance together to form an irresistible dessert that takes minimal effort.

Cool and smooth, these cookies require zero baking and deliver maximum satisfaction.

Chilled to perfection, this dessert promises to become your new favorite go-to sweet indulgence.

One taste, and you’ll understand why this recipe has been a beloved staple in kitchens across America.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes (not including refrigeration)

Cook Time: 12 minutes (per batch)

Total Time: 32 minutes

Calories: 158 kcal

Servings: 25

What’s in the Mix for Icebox Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and forms the base of the cookie's tender crumb, choose unbleached flour for best texture.
• Baking Powder: Gives the cookies a gentle lift and helps create a soft, delicate interior, ensure it's fresh for maximum rising power.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile, balancing the sweetness and bringing out the butter's richness.

• Butter: Creates a rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture, use high-quality unsalted butter at room temperature for smooth creaming.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a crisp exterior, look for fine-grain sugar for even distribution.

• Extra Granulated Sugar: Provides a sparkling, sweet coating and adds a delightful crunch to the cookie's exterior, use coarse sugar for extra texture.

What to Pull Out Before Making Icebox Cookies

• Kitchen aid mixer with paddle attachment: Essential for creaming butter and sugar to the perfect light, fluffy texture.
• Medium mixing bowl: Perfect for whisking dry ingredients together smoothly.
• Plastic wrap: Crucial for tightly wrapping and chilling dough logs.
• Parchment paper: Helps cookies bake evenly and prevents sticking.
• Baking sheet: Necessary for evenly baking cookie rounds.
• Whisk: Great for combining dry ingredients thoroughly.
• Wire cooling rack: Helps cookies cool evenly and maintain crispness.
• Sharp knife: Ideal for slicing chilled dough into precise rounds.

Quick Steps to Put Together Icebox Cookies

• Flour Foundation

Create a smooth mixture of dry ingredients, whisking gently until perfectly blended.

• Butter Bliss

Transform softened butter and sugar into a cloud-like, creamy texture using a mixer.

• Dough Magic

Carefully fold dry ingredients into the butter mixture, creating a soft and tender cookie base.

• Log Crafting

Shape the dough into elegant cylindrical logs, rolling them in sparkling sugar for extra charm.

• Chill Time

Wrap the dough logs in plastic and let them rest in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to develop and texture to firm up.

• Oven Preparation

Heat the oven to a warm 375°F, creating the perfect environment for cookie transformation.

• Slice and Bake

Cut the chilled logs into delicate rounds and arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

• Golden Moments

Bake until the cookie edges turn a beautiful golden color, filling the kitchen with irresistible aroma.

• Cooling Ritual

Let the cookies rest briefly on the baking tray before transferring to a cooling rack, completing their delicious journey.

Tips to Improve Your Icebox Cookies

• Baking Brilliance: Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and ensure a perfect, crisp texture that holds its shape beautifully.
• Sugar Sparkle: Roll the edges in colored sugar or festive sprinkles for a stunning presentation that transforms these simple cookies into party-worthy treats.
• Flavor Adventure: Experiment with mix-ins like finely chopped nuts, orange zest, or mini chocolate chips to create your own signature cookie variation that surprises and delights.
• Storage Secret: Keep these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze the unbaked dough logs for up to three months for instant cookie cravings whenever the mood strikes.
• Texture Trick: For extra-tender cookies, let the dough sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before slicing to prevent crumbling and ensure clean, perfect cuts.

Serving Icebox Cookies at Their Best

• Festive Cookie Platter: Create a stunning dessert presentation by arranging these icebox cookies alongside other holiday treats like chocolate truffles and mini fruit tarts. Sprinkle powdered sugar on top for an elegant touch.
• Sweet Afternoon Tea Companion: Pair these delicate cookies with a warm cup of Earl Grey or chamomile tea. The buttery, subtle sweetness complements the tea's robust flavors perfectly.
• Dessert Parfait Layer: Crumble these cookies into elegant glass parfaits, alternating with layers of vanilla custard or whipped cream. Top with fresh berries for a sophisticated dessert that looks as good as it tastes.
• Party Dessert Bar Highlight: Use these cookies as a centerpiece on a dessert buffet, placing them on a decorative tiered stand. Provide small tongs or elegant serving utensils for guests to select their treats easily.

Smart Storage for Icebox Cookies

• Chilling Champion: Refrigerate dough logs up to 3 days before baking, wrapped securely in plastic to maintain freshness and prevent absorbing other refrigerator odors.
• Freezer-Friendly Technique: Unbaked cookie dough logs can be frozen for up to 2 months, tightly sealed in freezer-safe wrap, allowing spontaneous cookie baking anytime you crave a sweet treat.
• Smart Storage Solution: Once baked, store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 5-7 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain crisp texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare dough logs in advance during weekend meal prep, giving you quick access to homemade cookies during busy weeknights without extensive kitchen time.

Chilled Icebox Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Grandma’s icebox delight cookies combine nostalgic family flavors with simple ingredients that tell a sweet story. Crisp edges and creamy centers make these classic treats irresistible when you bite into their perfectly balanced texture.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup (237 ml) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 2¼ cups (540 ml/540 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Thoroughly blend flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl, ensuring a consistent dry mixture that will form the structural foundation of the cookies.
2. Butter-Sugar Transformation: Cream softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and substantially voluminous.
3. Dough Consolidation: Delicately incorporate the dry ingredients into the butter-sugar mixture, stirring minimally to preserve the dough’s tender composition and prevent over-mixing.
4. Log Preparation: Divide the dough into two symmetrical logs approximately 2 inches in diameter, optionally rolling the exterior in granulated sugar for added texture and sweetness.
5. Chilling Protocol: Wrap each dough log securely in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours, allowing flavors to intensify and the dough structure to stabilize.
6. Oven Calibration: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating an optimal baking environment.
7. Precision Slicing and Placement: Remove chilled logs, slice into 1/4-inch rounds, and arrange methodically on the prepared baking sheet with adequate spacing between cookies.
8. Baking Transformation: Position the cookie-laden tray in the preheated oven, baking for 10-12 minutes until edges achieve a delicate golden-brown hue.
9. Cooling Refinement: Allow cookies to rest briefly on the baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack, enabling them to develop a perfectly crisp yet tender texture.

Notes

• Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerate logs for at least 2 hours to enhance flavor development and prevent spreading during baking.
• Sugar Coating Technique: Roll logs in granulated sugar before chilling for an extra crispy, sweet exterior that caramelizes beautifully.
• Slice with Precision: Use a sharp knife to cut 1/4-inch rounds for consistent baking and attractive, uniform cookie presentation.
• Cooling is Crucial: Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet briefly before transferring to a cooling rack to set their perfect texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes (not including refrigeration)
• Cook Time: 12 minutes (per batch)
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 158
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 56 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 19 mg