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Home » Cookies

Published: Jun 3, 2019 · Modified: Sep 24, 2021 by Kathy

Pecan Icebox Cookies

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Three pecan cookies stacked on a piece of black slate.

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. 

Pecan Icebox Cookies in a glass dish.

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! 

Round cookies on a cooling rack.

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.
Cookie dough wrapped in wax paper.
Cutting cookie dough into rounds.

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

How long will this cookie dough last in the freezer?

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.

Do I bake while the dough is still frozen?

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
Three pecan cookies stacked on a black coaster.

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!

  • Butterscotch Brownies stacked on a white plate.
    Butterscotch Brownies
  • Cookies on a white platter.
    Whopper Cookies
  • A stack of oatmeal lace cookies.
    Lace Oatmeal Cookies
  • Round brown cookies on a white plate.
    Ginger Cookies
Three pecan cookies stacked on a black coaster.

Pecan Icebox Cookies

Kathy Berget
Butter cookie with toasted pecans
5 from 40 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 12 minutes mins
Freeze Dough 12 hours hrs
Course Cookie, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 20 cookies
Calories 166 kcal

Equipment

  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Cookie Sheet
  • Cooling Rack
  • Stand Mixer
Prevent your screen from going dark

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 together
    ½ cup butter, 1 cup brown sugar
  • Add eggs and vanilla
    1 egg, ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • Combine flour, baking soda and salt and add to butter mixture. Stir until combined
    2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Add toasted pecans
    1 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.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookieCalories: 166kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 2gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 131mgPotassium: 51mgFiber: 1gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 155IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 17mgIron: 0.8mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @BeyondTheChickenCoop or tag #beyondthechickencoop!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jody Burch says

    May 04, 2025 at 3:20 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 04, 2025 at 4:44 am

      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.

      Reply
  2. Anna Price says

    January 22, 2024 at 6:01 pm

    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 😊

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      January 22, 2024 at 7:17 pm

      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 🙂

      Reply
      • Anna says

        February 11, 2024 at 9:46 am

        Thank you so much Kathy! I’m excited to make them 💖

      • Kathy says

        February 11, 2024 at 12:05 pm

        Wonderful! Let me know how they turn out! 🙂

  3. Leah Ferguson says

    December 22, 2020 at 12:26 am

    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

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      December 23, 2020 at 6:27 am

      Glad you enjoyed them!

      Reply
  4. Michelle Price-Johnson says

    March 18, 2020 at 5:34 pm

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      March 18, 2020 at 5:58 pm

      I always love visiting my grandma and having these delicious cookies! Enjoy!!!

      Reply
    • Linda says

      November 14, 2020 at 5:25 pm

      When you take them out of the freezer do you have to have them thawed out before you bake them? Thank you

      Reply
      • Kathy says

        November 14, 2020 at 6:00 pm

        Hi Linda,
        You can slice while still frozen and then bake. Use a sharp knife to slice through the frozen dough.
        Enjoy!

    • Joyce says

      November 15, 2023 at 8:34 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Kathy says

        November 15, 2023 at 1:24 pm

        Such a lovely memory and I love that food takes us right back to those we love! The maple sounds delicious!
        Kathy 🙂

  5. James says

    March 15, 2020 at 1:46 am

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      March 15, 2020 at 4:53 am

      Thanks, James! So glad you found this cookie recipe - and happy baking! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Judy says

    June 19, 2019 at 4:28 pm

    5 stars
    Delish.

    Reply
  7. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

    June 04, 2019 at 7:52 am

    These look totally yummy Kathy! I love having rolls of icebox cookies in my freezer for unexpected guests!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      June 07, 2019 at 4:46 am

      They are great to have on hand. I need to restock my freezer now!

      Reply
  8. Sarah says

    June 03, 2019 at 8:44 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      June 04, 2019 at 5:18 am

      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!!!

      Reply
  9. Valentina says

    June 03, 2019 at 4:26 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      June 04, 2019 at 5:18 am

      They don't last long in ours either!

      Reply
  10. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

    June 03, 2019 at 6:34 am

    5 stars
    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 🙂

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      June 04, 2019 at 5:19 am

      Thanks, Dawn! A nice homemade cookie with a glass of cold milk is always the best!

      Reply
  11. David @ Spiced says

    June 03, 2019 at 6:32 am

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      June 04, 2019 at 5:20 am

      Ohhhh....I'd love to have a pecan tree!

      Reply
  12. Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes says

    June 03, 2019 at 5:48 am

    5 stars
    Isn't it just a comforting feeling having a cookie log in the freezer!? I just love that. These look and sound so delicious 🙂

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      June 04, 2019 at 5:20 am

      I need to make a few more batches. We don't have any in the freezer right now!

      Reply
5 from 40 votes (33 ratings without comment)

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I'm Kathy, and I love to create delicious recipes from scratch utilizing many ingredients that we grow and raise. I'm a recipe creator, food photographer, and cookbook author!

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