Pecan Icebox Cookies are a delicious butter cookie filled with toasted chopped pecans. Whip up a batch of these cookies and store the dough in your freezer.
Pull out anytime you are craving homemade cookies and slice and bake.
Icebox cookies
Icebox cookies are a cookie dough that is rolled into a log shape and chilled until firm. Icebox is an old fashioned term for a refrigerator. This recipe requires the dough to be more than just chilled. It is frozen for at least 12 hours before baking.
My grandmother used to make these cookies. She always had a few logs of dough in the freezer.
Whenever she wanted fresh baked cookies, she'd just take out a log and cut off as many cookies as she needed.
She would often just bake a few cookies at a time. I tend to cook the whole batch all at once. They disappear quickly in a house full of teenagers!
Step by step directions
- Combine butter and sugar together
- Add eggs and vanilla
- Combine flour, baking soda and salt and add to butter mixture
- Add toasted pecans
- Place on a piece of waxed paper. Fold wax paper over and form a log about 14-16 inches long.
- Twist ends of waxed paper and place in freezer for at least 12 hours
- Remove from freezer and while still frozen slice into approximately 20 cookies
- Bake on an ungreased baking sheet.
Toasting pecans
Toasting the pecans brings out the flavor of the pecans. It makes the pecans a more intense flavor. Toasting them also helps keep the nuts more firm rather than a softer nut.
There are two methods for toasting pecans.
- Place pecans in a dry saucepan over medium heat. Continue cooking until pecans are slightly browned and you can smell the aroma of the nuts.
- Put pecans on a baking sheet and place in a 400 degree oven. Check pecans and stir every 2-3 minutes until nuts are slightly browned.
Recipe Faqs
The cookie dough will last for one month in the freezer if wrapped in waxed paper. To keep longer, place wrapped log into a freezer bag. It should keep up to three months in the waxed paper and freezer bag.
Yes, the dough is fully frozen, then sliced and baked.
More delicious recipes with pecans
- Pecan chocolate chip cookies
- Pecan snowball cookies
- Spiced pecans
- Chicken salad with pecans
- Sweet potato salad with pecans
- Wild rice salad
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Check out all my cookie recipes!
Pecan Icebox Cookies
Equipment
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Cookie Sheet
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup pecans (toasted and chopped)
Instructions
- Combine butter and sugar together½ cup butter, 1 cup brown sugar
- Add eggs and vanilla1 egg, ½ teaspoon vanilla
- Combine flour, baking soda and salt and add to butter mixture. Stir until combined2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Add toasted pecans1 cup pecans
- Place on a piece of waxed paper. Fold wax paper over and form a log about 14-16 inches long.
- Twist ends of waxed paper and place in freezer for at least 12 hours
- Remove from freezer and while still frozen slice into approximately 20 cookies
- Place on an ungreased baking sheet and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 12-14 minutes.
- Let cool slightly on baking sheet and then remove from baking sheet and allow cookies to continue cooling on a baking rack.
Notes
- Dough may remain frozen in freezer for up to three months. After dough is frozen, place wrapped logs into a freezer safe bag to help prevent freezer burn.
- May cook just a few cookies at a time or may cook entire batch at once.
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Jody Burch says
Thank you so much for the recipe. My friend’s sister gave me the recipe for her cookies, we just called the Evellens cookies. I have lost the recipe. You have given me back my favorite cookie recipe, and a very precious memory. My friend, and her sister have passed away, many years ago. Thank you for sharing.
Kathy says
Food can take us back in so many ways. There's nothing better than being reconnected with an old favorite recipe to relive all those memories. I'm so glad you found this recipe and it ties you back to special people and memories.
Anna Price says
Hi Kathy!
I suddenly remembered that I used to make these cookies when we were still in school so I searched for a good recipe and I’m happy I found yours! Do you think it’s okay if I add chocolate chips? Thanks so much 😊
Kathy says
Hi Anna,
I think chocolate chips would work fine! You may want to chop them a bit just so they're a bit smaller.
Let me know how they turn out!
Kathy 🙂
Anna says
Thank you so much Kathy! I’m excited to make them 💖
Kathy says
Wonderful! Let me know how they turn out! 🙂
Leah Ferguson says
I made cookis long time ago slot like these. I did not put pecan in them. I ro. After i baked them, i sprinkled them with powdered sugar. They were so good.lled my logs in pecan
Kathy says
Glad you enjoyed them!
Michelle Price-Johnson says
My grandmother used to have them in the jar and send us with a roll to make when we got home. I have missed these cookies and am so excited to try this recipe. I have been looking for them for years.
Kathy says
I always love visiting my grandma and having these delicious cookies! Enjoy!!!
Linda says
When you take them out of the freezer do you have to have them thawed out before you bake them? Thank you
Kathy says
Hi Linda,
You can slice while still frozen and then bake. Use a sharp knife to slice through the frozen dough.
Enjoy!
Joyce says
A favorite of my Nana's. She would use maple extract in stead of vanilla.
She may be gone for a long time but when I make these I imagine her right here with me.
Kathy says
Such a lovely memory and I love that food takes us right back to those we love! The maple sounds delicious!
Kathy 🙂
James says
My mother used to always have rolls of these in the freezer. Sadly I lost the recipe, that is until I found this one. It is the best cookies in the world!
Kathy says
Thanks, James! So glad you found this cookie recipe - and happy baking! 🙂
Judy says
Delish.
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
These look totally yummy Kathy! I love having rolls of icebox cookies in my freezer for unexpected guests!
Kathy says
They are great to have on hand. I need to restock my freezer now!
Sarah says
Ohhhhhh... I'm going to have to make these! I just may have to keep a log in the freezer ready for baking at all times! Thanks for this recipe! P. S. Your homemade pita looks great too. I bookmarked it so long ago but have yet to try it. It's on my long list of things to try making though!
Kathy says
It's great to have some cookies ready to be baked! I always have a long list of things to bake! 🙂 Let me know when you give these or the pitas a try! Thanks!!!
Valentina says
Pecans are my favorite nut. I love how maple-y they taste. 🙂 These would not last long in my freezer, let alone out of the oven. Yum!
Kathy says
They don't last long in ours either!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
These are the best recipes! And toasted pecans? Yum! A tall glass of cold milk and a couple of these would be just about perfect right now! Happy Monday Kathy 🙂
Kathy says
Thanks, Dawn! A nice homemade cookie with a glass of cold milk is always the best!
David @ Spiced says
This recipe totally takes me back to my childhood, Kathy! My grandma used to make a similar cookie, but she called 'em Sandies. I just remember they were crumbly in a good way and packed with so much flavor. She used pecans from the tree in her backyard...man, what I wouldn't give to have that huge pecan tree in my backyard now!
Kathy says
Ohhhh....I'd love to have a pecan tree!
Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes says
Isn't it just a comforting feeling having a cookie log in the freezer!? I just love that. These look and sound so delicious 🙂
Kathy says
I need to make a few more batches. We don't have any in the freezer right now!