This icebox cookies recipe is gonna be a family favorite. These old fashioned icebox cookies are so delicious, easy to make, budget-friendly, and perfect for anyone who enjoys a fruity cookie. Buttery, fruity, and sweet, these icebox cookies go great with a cup of tea!
![Icebox Cookies Recipe- cookies on a tray and counter with icing on top of them- Kids Activities Blog](https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Old-Fashioned-Icebox-Cookies-Recipe--683x1024.jpg)
Icebox Cookies
There’s no better way to make the house cozy on a winter day than by baking some old fashioned icebox cookies!
If you’re a sucker for a buttery, chewy, and flavorful cookie, have I got a recipe for you…
You can’t go wrong with a cookie recipe that calls for basic pantry and fridge ingredients. It’s perfect for those impromptu baking sessions with kids, when you’re just about out of everything and need to get to the grocery store!
Icebox Cookies Recipe
Yields: 38-42
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
![Icebox Cookie Supplies- Kids Activities Blog- all purpose flour, baking powder, salt, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, egg, vanilla extract, dried cranberries, grated orange peel, chopped walnuts, powdered sugar, milk or cream- kids activities blog](https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Old-Fashioned-Icebox-Cookies.jpg)
Supplies Needed To Make These Delicious Icebox Cookies Recipe
Glaze, optional
Instructions
Step 1
![Softened butter and granulated sugar in a glass bowl, being mixed by a hand mixer and a silicone spatula.](https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Old-Fashioned-Icebox-Cookies-Recipe-.jpg)
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
Step 2
![Old fashioned icebox cookie dough, softened butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla, in a glass bowl, being mixed by a hand mixer.](https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Old-Fashioned-Icebox-Cookies-Recipe.jpg)
In another large bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy.
Step 3
![Adding flour into the butter and sugar mixture to make old fashioned icebox cookies.](https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Old-Fashioned-Icebox-Cookies-Recipe-1.jpg)
Beat in egg and extract until well combined.
![Mixed icebox cookie dough, ready for the fruit and nuts to be added.](https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Old-Fashioned-Icebox-Cookies-Recipe-1-1.jpg)
Step 4
Gradually add flour mixture and beat until well combined.
![Old fashioned icebox cookie dough in a glass bowl, with chopped dried cranberries, chopped walnuts, and grated orange zest.](https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Old-Fashioned-Icebox-Cookies-Recipe-2.jpg)
Step 5
Fold in dried cranberries and orange peel.
![Rolling the old fashioned icebox cookie dough into logs, and wrapping the logs in plastic wrap to refrigerate.](https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Old-Fashioned-Icebox-Cookies-Recipe-3.jpg)
Step 6
Divide dough in half and roll into a log.
Step 7
Chop walnuts, if using, and spread evenly onto parchment paper.
Step 8
Add dough log on top of walnuts and coat the edges.
Step 9
Cover dough log with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until firm enough to cut.
Step 10
Remove from refrigerator.
![Slicing the logs of old fashioned icebox cookie dough into cookies, and placing them on a lined cookie sheet, to bake.](https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Old-Fashioned-icebox-Cookies-Recipe-4.jpg)
Step 11
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 12
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
![Baked old fashioned icebox cookies on a metal trivet, drizzled with glaze.](https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Old-Fashioned-Icebox-Cookies-Recipe-1-1.jpg)
Step 13
Slice cookies about 1/8 inch thick and place on prepared baking sheet.
Step 14
Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden.
![Closeup of baked old fashioned icebox cookies with icing.](https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Old-Fashioned-Icebox-Cookies-Recipe-1-2.jpg)
Step 15
Remove from oven onto wire rack to cool.
Step 16
Mix glaze if using and drizzle over cooled cookies.
Step 17
Store in airtight container.
![Platter of old fashioned icebox cookies with icing, next to two mugs of hot cocoa with marshmallows.](https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Old-Fashioned-Icebox-Cookies-Recipe-1-3.jpg)
CAN YOU FREEZE ICEBOX COOKIES?
Old fashioned icebox cookie dough will keep for up to five days unbaked in the fridge.
If you aren’t going to use it up within that amount of time, wrap your log of cookie dough tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer bag. It will last in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Allow the dough to thaw in your fridge when you are ready to slice the cookies and bake!
![White background, closeup of old fashioned icebox cookies with icing.](https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Old-Fashioned-Icebox-Cookies-Recipe-1.jpg)
WHAT IF YOU DON’T LIKE ORANGE ZEST, DRIED CRANBERRIES OR ARE ALLERGIC TO NUTS?
The cool thing about this recipe is that you are free to tailor it however you see fit!
Don’t like orange zest? Get rid of it!
Not a fan of dried cranberries? Try cherries!
Allergic to nuts, or just don’t like them? Omit them, or replace with a nut you prefer, as long as there is no allergy.
Or you can just go with my baking secret… when in doubt, replace with chocolate! *giggle*
You can also split your dough, and make a couple of smaller logs of varied flavors!
![Platter of old fashioned icebox cookies with two mugs of hot cocoa.](https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Old-Fashioned-Icebox-Cookies-Recipe.jpg)
GLUTEN FREE OLD FASHIONED ICEBOX COOKIES RECIPE
Do you have a gluten sensitivity or allergy? No worries! Its super easy to make this a gluten free icebox cookie recipe!
To start, swap out the regular all-purpose flour for gluten free flour.
Next, make sure that the rest of your ingredients are gluten free, especially your baking powder and vanilla extract.
If you’re dried cranberries and chopped walnuts have trace amounts of wheat exposure, you can always omit them and replace with gluten free chocolate chips!
Prep Time
10 minutes
Active Time
12 minutes
Total Time
22 minutes
Materials
- Cookies:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped dried cranberries
- ¼ cup (from 1) grated orange peel
- Chopped walnuts, optional
- Glaze (optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk or cream
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another large bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Beat in egg and extract until well combined.
- Gradually add flour mixture and beat until well combined.
- Fold in dried cranberries and orange peel.
- Divide dough in half and roll into a log.
- Chop walnuts, if using, and spread evenly onto parchment paper.
- Add dough log on top of walnuts and coat the edges.
- Cover dough log with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until firm enough to cut.
- Remove from refrigerator.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Slice cookies about 1/8 inch thick and place on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden.
- Remove from oven onto wire rack to cool.
- Mix glaze if using and drizzle over cooled cookies.
- Store in airtight container.
EASY & DELICIOUS COOKIE RECIPES
What hot drink are you going to serve up with your old fashioned homemade icebox cookies? Might I suggest our delicious homemade hot cocoa? It’s the perfect combination!