Recipes & Cooking Desserts & Baking Cookies 18 Icebox Cookie Recipes for Fresh Slice-and-Bake Treats Anytime Stash these cookies in the freezer for when you need something sweet! By Katlyn Moncada Katlyn Moncada Katlyn Moncada is the associate food editor at BHG.com, sharing food news and tutorials on becoming better home cooks. She is a writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience in digital media, photography, and video production. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process and Sarah Martens Sarah Martens Sarah Martens is the Senior Editor overseeing food at Better Homes & Gardens digital. She has been with the BHG brand for more than 10 years. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on November 17, 2024 Close Photo: Andy Lyons Whether you're prepping for a cookie swap, last minute guests, or simply craving a sweet treat, icebox cookies are the ultimate make-ahead dessert. Most icebox cookie recipes start with rolling the dough into a log before chilling in the fridge. After firming up, the dough is sliced and baked into delectable treats. They come in all sorts of delicious flavors—think lemon-cream, chocolate-peanut butter, and cranberry-pistachio—and can even be transformed into easy sandwich cookies. Icebox cookie recipes are perfect for any time of year, but they're especially handy during the holiday season, as the dough can be stored in the freezer for quick baking whenever you need it. Time to get your mixer ready! How to Choose the Best Cookie Sheets for Baking Cookies Why Are They Called Icebox Cookies? Icebox cookies, also known as "refrigerator cookies" or "slice-and-bake cookies," have a history rooted in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, coinciding with the rise of home refrigeration. The name comes from the traditional practice of chilling the dough in an "icebox"—an insulated box cooled by a large block of ice—before slicing and baking. This method became popular for its convenience, allowing bakers to prepare dough in advance and bake fresh cookies as needed. The slice-and-bake approach makes icebox cookies a fuss-free option for serving large groups, combining ease and versatility with delicious results. Ready to dive into some of our favorite flavors? 01 of 18 Cookies and Cream Cookies View Recipe Blaine Moats Reinvent your favorite dunkable sandwich cookies into an addictive dessert with this easy refrigerator cookie recipe. The cookies and cream flavor is infused into the sugar cookie base, and the entire dough log gets rolled in more crushed chocolate sandwich cookies before slicing and baking. The result is buttery, tender cookies with bits of chocolatey goodness throughout—perfect for dunking into a cold glass of milk. 02 of 18 Almond Icebox Rounds View Recipe Blaine Moats These almond-infused icebox cookies have cream cheese in the dough for an extra indulgent bite. Try toasting the almonds in a 350°F oven for 5 to 10 minutes before rolling your log in them to really amp up the nutty flavor. This classic cookie recipe is sure to become one of your baking staples. Must-Know Tips and Tricks to Freezing Cookies and Cookie Dough 03 of 18 Chocolate Icebox Cookies with Dulce de Leche Blaine Moats Our favorite chocolate icebox cookies get a hint of spice with the addition of cayenne and cinnamon in the dough. Don't worry, that tiny bit of heat is cooled down by the sticky-sweet dulce de leche filling. If you can't find dulce de leche at the store, try making your own on the stovetop or in the slow cooker with just a can of condensed milk. 04 of 18 Pistachio-Cranberry Icebox Cookies Andy Lyons Jeweled with dried cranberries and a hint of orange zest, these icebox cookies get a salty crunch from pistachio nuts. The recipe makes 60 cookies, so this is a great freezer-friendly cookie recipe to stock before the holiday season gets too crazy. For an extra festive touch, dip or drizzle with melted white chocolate and sprinkle with additional chopped pistachios before serving. 05 of 18 Cashew Icebox Cookies Karla Conrad Honey-roasted cashews give these icebox cookies just the right amount of salty-sweet flavor. The pretty finish is simply a drizzle of melted butterscotch-flavor pieces combined with a bit of shortening (which helps it harden to the cookie. Add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for an extra touch of elegance. Fabulous No-Bake Cookies and Bars—No Oven Required 06 of 18 Orange Cream Spiral Cookies View Recipe Jason Donnelly Oranges and cream shine in this icebox cookie recipe. The combination of cream cheese and freshly shredded orange peel creates a vibrant, tangy flavor that's both refreshing and nostalgic. For best results, use a fine grater or zester to carefully remove just the outer layer of the citrus peel, avoiding the bitter white pith beneath. 07 of 18 Peanut Butter and Mocha Checkerboards View Recipe Kritsada Panichgul Have your coffee and eat it too with these checkerboard slice-and-bake cookies. To get these icebox cookies ready for baking, go ahead and pop the dough in the freezer before layering their distinctive design so the colors don't blend together. The festive bows add an adorable touch, and pipe on easily with melted chocolate. How to Store Cookies So You Can Savor Them Longer (Yes, Please!) 08 of 18 Matcha-Dragon Fruit Slice-and-Bake Trees View Recipe Carson Downing These icebox cookies are a well-loved Test Kitchen recipe you'll want to make every Christmas. Festive, modern, and incredibly eye-catching, their vibrant color and unique flavor make them a standout addition to any holiday cookie platter. If you can't find dragon fruit powder, freeze dried raspberries make an excellent replacement. 09 of 18 Cinnamon Roll Cookies Matthew Clark No yeast required for these cinnamon rolls! Here we've sprinkled a large cookie dough rectangle with a cinnamon-sugar mix before rolling and chilling. Chill thoroughly and use a sharp knife to make sure you get clean, even cuts on these slice-and-bake cookies. 10 of 18 Meyer Lemon-Rosemary Slices View Recipe Peter Krumhardt It's a good thing this icebox cookie recipe makes a lot (80 cookies, to be exact), because these are a poppable treat you won't be able to stop eating. We used freshly-squeezed Meyer lemons (they're slightly sweeter), but regular lemons will do if your grocery store doesn't have any in stock. These cookies will go perfectly with your afternoon cup of tea. 11 of 18 Brown Sugar Icebox Cookies Jason Donnelly Enjoy the rich, molasses flavor from brown sugar in this easy icebox cookie recipe. Choose between toasted hazelnuts or pecans for the dough (and for rolling). If you decide to freeze your cookie dough, wait until you're ready to bake them before rolling in toppings. 12 of 18 Golden Butterscotch Icebox Cookies Blaine Moats These delightful icebox cookies get their rich flavor from butter (of course) and dark brown sugar. With only eight ingredients, there's a good chance you already have the stuff to make these cookies in the pantry. They're perfect with a cup of coffee or as a comforting treat to share with friends and family. 13 of 18 Maple-Macadamia Icebox Cookies Blaine Moats Enjoy a taste of winter with these maple-flavor icebox cookies. The recipe calls for maple sugar, but you can alternatively use brown sugar and add some maple flavoring. If you aren't planning on serving these beauties immediately, store them un-iced. Then when it's eating time, drizzle your cookies with that sweet maple icing. 14 of 18 Lemon-Cream Icebox Cookie Sandwiches View Recipe Scott Little Calling all citrus fans! Turn buttery lemon slice cookies into cute sandwich cookies by filling with sweet lemon cream frosting or lemon curd. Roll them in crushed lemon candies or yellow sugar for a showy finish. 20 Sweet-Tart Citrus and Lemon Desserts to Brighten Up Winter 15 of 18 Oatmeal Slices with Dates and Nuts Pitted dates, pecans, and oats all come to the party in these cinnamon refrigerator cookies. Don't worry, there's still sugar in the mix, too. Freeze this make-ahead cookie recipe for up to three months before serving. 16 of 18 Date Pinwheel Cookies View Recipe Blaine Moats Pitted dates turn into a thick, sweet filling for these icebox cookies after getting simmered with some sugar on the stovetop. For the spiral effect here, you'll layer rolled portions of the cookie dough into a rectangle. Using waxed paper as a guide, you'll roll until a log is formed. Our Favorite Christmas Cookies to Make Every Year 17 of 18 Christmas Twist Cookies View Recipe Brie Goldman These colorful Christmas cookies are made with three shades of dough and rolled in vibrant sugar for a festive and sweet finish. Perfect for cookie swaps or holiday parties, they're as delightful to look at as they are to eat. We'll guide you step-by-step on how to assemble the dough to create the eye-catching design that makes these cookies so special. 18 of 18 Chocolate-Peppermint Swirl Cookies View Recipe Brie Goldman Chocolate and peppermint are a classic flavor pairing, and here they shine in a rich, buttery cookie dough. These slice-and-bake cookies are perfect for any time you need a sweet treat. A vibrant sugar coating adds a festive touch, making them an ideal holiday cookie that's as beautiful as it is delicious. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit