Sometimes called Dutch Windmill or Spectuloos Cookies, these Almond Icebox Cookies are simple to make and delicious! Made with almonds and adding a little bit of cinnamon, these cookies are a easy, delicious treat!
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I love a good cookie exchange! Around Christmas time, my co-workers and I get together and do a cookie exchange. I not only enjoy having some goodies to bring home, but I also love discovering new recipes that make their way into my yearly Christmas cookie list.
My favorite cookie to bring are Sandbakkel Cookies, and one year my co-worker brought these Almond Icebox Cookies! She shared her great-grandma’s recipe and now these cookies have been one I make yearly now.
How did they get the name icebox cookies?
Icebox cookies came from putting the dough in the refrigerator (or icebox, in past days) before baking. The icebox was the earliest refrigerator in households. It would hold ice to keep food cold and prevent it from spoiling.
As iceboxes became used more widely in households, printed recipes appeared for icebox cakes. Then, icebox cookie recipes soon were printed as well.
How do you slice icebox cookies evenly?
You can measure if you wish to get slices even. Often, I will measure the first few slices and then just estimate for the rest of them.
I like to used a serrated knife to get more even cuts, but you can also use a string or un-serrated knife as well.
Sometimes these Almond Icebox Cookies will be a little tricky, however, to evenly slice because of the nuts in them. I find that if I have them all pretty well the same size as best as I can get them, my baking time isn’t going to be affected.
Can you freeze icebox cookies?
Yes, you can!
Simply roll the dough into a log, and wrap in plastic wrap. You can put a layer of aluminum foil around it, or depending on how long your log is, I also have put them in gallon freezer bags too. That works the best if I’m freezing a bunch of dough at once!
How long can your freeze icebox cookies?
You can freeze them for up to three months.
If you are like me though and sometimes forget what you’ve put in your freezer, I’ve accidentally left cookie dough there a little longer, and it’s still been fine.
Once you are ready to bake it up, I like to leave the cookie dough log out on the counter for close to a half hour before I start slicing. That way, I’ll be able to slice through the whole thing.
Can you replace the almonds with other nuts?
Absolutely! My family are big fans of pecans. If we don’t have almonds in the house, we simply add chopped pecans in place of the almonds.
If you don’t prefer nuts or need to make some cookies without, this recipe works perfectly as a nut free cookie as well!
Ingredients
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Butter
- Eggs
- Flour
- Cinnamon
- Baking Soda
- Sliced or Chopped Almonds
What you do you need to make icebox cookies?
How To Make Almond Icebox Cookies
In a mixing bowl, blend sugars and melted butter together.
Add in eggs and mix well, before adding in flour, cinnamon, baking soda and nuts.
Stir in to fully combine.
Lay out two long sheets of wax or parchment paper.
Split cookie dough evenly on them, making a rough line with the cookie dough down the middle of the wax paper.
Use the wax paper to form into the cookie dough into logs.
Once satisfied with the log shape, place in the refrigerator for 1 hour, or until very solid.
After they are very solid, preheat oven to 300 degrees.
Remove the cookie dough logs from the refrigerator and cut into 1/4 – 1/3 inch slices.
Place on a greased cookie sheet, and bake for 12 – 14 minutes, or until golden brown around the edge of the cookie.
Place the cookies cool on a cooling rack and let them cool slightly before enjoying.
Notes
- If you don’t enjoy almonds, you can use any other sort of chopped nut instead.
- These cookies can be made nut free as well, and turn out amazing! No changes to the recipe needed.
If you try this recipe and add it to your cookie list like me, I would love it if you rate this recipe 5 stars! Thank you!
Almond Icebox Cookies
Simple and delicious, these icebox cookies will become a staple in your household throughout the year.
Ingredients
- 1/2 c. granulated sugar
- 1/2 c. brown sugar
- 1 c. melted butter
- 2 eggs
- 2 1/2 c. flour
- 1/2 - 3/4 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 c. sliced almonds or other chopped nuts
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, blend sugars and melted butter together.
- Add in eggs and mix well, before adding in flour, cinnamon, baking soda and nuts. Stir in to fully combine.
- Lay out two long sheets of wax or parchment paper. Split cookie dough evenly on them, making a rough line with the cookie dough down the middle of the wax paper.
- Use the wax paper to form into the cookie dough into logs. Once satisfied with the log shape, place in the refrigerator for 1 hour, or until very solid.
- After the dough is very solid, preheat oven to 300 degrees. Remove the cookie dough logs from the refrigerator and cut into 1/4 - 1/3 inch slices.
- Place on a greased cookie sheet, and bake for 12 - 14 minutes, or until golden brown around the edge of the cookie.
- Place the cookies on a cooling rack and let them cool slightly before enjoying.
Notes
- If you don't enjoy almonds, any other sort of chopped nut will work as well.
- These cookies can be made nut free as well, and turn out amazing! No changes to the recipe needed.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 344Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 195mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 1gSugar: 16gProtein: 5g
Yum! I think I will try these. Maybe with pecans and almonds! 😋