These old fashioned icebox cookies are buttery and crisp with bits of almonds throughout. The recipe comes from my great-grandma’s recipe box and they have been a staple in my family for generations.
If you are looking of a crispy cookie that is light and simple, you are in the right place. My great-grandma’s icebox cookies are just that.
As you can see from the color of her handwritten recipe card, this recipe has been in the family for quite a while. My dad’s generation attributes them to her, but for as long as I can remember my grandpa was the one that baked them.
She lost the ability to bake them when I was very small. So he took on the job of making sure they were at every Christmas.
Now, it may not surprise you to know that my family overdoes treats at Christmastime. So, as a kid seeing the tin of simple almond cookies amongst all of the brightly colored cookies wasn’t that exciting.
After losing my grandpa earlier this year, I was feeling a little bit nostalgic for these cookies. I wish I would have scheduled a baking day with him when I had the chance.
At least we still have the recipe and the tradition can live on. Now you can take it up as your own as well.
These cookies are named icebox cookies because of the fact they are shaped into a loaf and then refrigerated overnight. Of course, before modern refrigerators they would have been chilled in an icebox.
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Fun fact: my house was built by a family who ran the local ice trade. They would cut blocks of ice during the winter and then store them in caves for delivery to home iceboxes all year long.
Growing up, they always had this rectangular shape. They kind of remind me of biscotti, but they are much thinner and you only have to bake them once.
You could also shape the dough into a log and bake them in circles. Obviously, they would be tasty either way.
More Classic Cookies
You should make my great-grandma’s peanut butter cookie recipe. They are everything you would want a peanut butter cookie to be and are probably my husband’s favorite cookie.
Or you could try her oatmeal step on cookies. They are oatmeal raisin cookies that take a trip to the fridge overnight before they are baked. The texture is different than any other oatmeal cookie I’ve ever had.
You could also make grandma’s potato chip cookies or a big batch of chocolate chip cookies. Or whip up some yummy fruit filled kolacky, another Christmas staple.
Check out my collection of cookie recipes for even more tasty inspiration.
Old Fashioned Icebox Cookies
Ingredients
- 16 oz butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ pound slivered almonds
Instructions
- Beat butter and sugars together until light and fluffy.16 oz butter, 1 cup light brown sugar, 1 cup granulated sugar
- Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing until incorporated.3 large eggs
- Mix in the baking soda, flour, and cinnamon until a dough is formed.½ teaspoon baking soda, 5 cups all-purpose flour, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- Incorporate the almonds until the dough is uniform.½ pound slivered almonds
- Shape dough into a long loaf shape. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight but up to 2 days.
- When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350℉.
- Cut the dough into paper thin slices. Place about ½-inch apart on cookie sheet.
- Bake for about 7 minutes, or until the edges are a light golden brown.
- Cool for about 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or two. Freeze for longer storage.
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hi, can you add christmas sprinkles?
I don’t see why not. That would be festive!
My mother used to make these cookies, and I was so happy to find the recipe.
Yay! I am glad you found it.