Jeweled Icebox Cookies for Christmas

The jeweled icebox cookies with candied fruit is a sponsored collaboration with Zelite Infinity Knives.

Vintage recipes such as the jeweled icebox cookies bring so many memories from Christmas at Grandma’s.

Grandmas icebox cookies in a plate

While the years pass, we feel the need to connect to our roots. And the food is a conduit to those special moments with the family. This recipe for the jeweled icebox cookies was a classic.

My aunt July and my grandma were incredible cooks. One was a baker, and the other was a cook of gourmet food and Spaniard cuisine favorites. I can still smell the aromas of good home-cooking and homemade icebox cookies and pies.

Ingredients for the refrigerator cookies include candied cherries and nuts

Paying tribute to them, we bring the vintage holiday cookies recipe that you can make at home and start the cookie baking tradition with your family.

Chopping the ingredients for the vintage holiday cookies

Icebox cookies are effortless to make. The trick is to follow the recipe without changing the main ingredients, freezing the log for at least 24 hours, and using appropriate cutlery for the best results.

Three Zelite Infinity knives in a table

Why we love Zelite Infinity Knives?

All home cooks need to have the best set of knives. Same as professional chefs, having the correct tools is what helps us to achieve success. The jeweled icebox cookies recipe includes candied fruit and nuts.

The Zelite infinity knives make it easy while prepping for baking

Using the correct knives is the key to getting the correct size and perfect cut. The icebox cookie log is frozen, and a good sharp knife is needed to slice it into even rounds.

a good sharp knife is needed to slice the cookies into even rounds

Everyone deserves a high-quality set of knives. The Zelite Infinity knives are a perfect gift. They ignite the culinary passion in all of us that love good food and vintage holiday cookies.

Cutting perfect slices with Zelite Infinity knives

What we love the most about Zelite Infinity knives is that they are lightweight and provide a perfect cut without effort. You can tell our jeweled icebox cookies look beautiful due to the sharp cuts on both the candied fruit and the cookie slices.

Serving the Jeweled Icebox Cookies with vintage candy and hot cocoa

Icebox cookies background and how they become part of the holiday menu.

The first icebox cookie recipes started appearing in America in the 1940s with the first refrigerators’ appearance. Many classic icebox cookies recipes are called old fashioned or vintage as those date from that time.

Grab your set of knives at zelitedotcom.

A few of the favorite refrigerator cookies include chocolate chip, walnut cranberry, fruit and oats, and the holiday fruit cake cookies, which we called bejeweled cookies.

The bright colors of red and green dry cherries, plus the golden homemade citron combined with the pecans, make a chewy sweet, nutty cookie.

vintage holiday cookies with candied fruit and dry cherries

Enjoy homemade buttery cookies yearlong!

If you have not tried these vintage holiday cookies, now is the perfect season to make them. The dough is simple and easy to manage. Plus, the added advantage is that the icebox cookies last in the freezer for over three months.

We like to make a big batch and change the flavors using different nuts, other types of candied fruit, cocoa, and spices. There are so many flavor variations when making the basic butter dough base.

Step by step on how to prepare the icebox cookie dough

It is convenient to have the freezer cookie logs available and make freshly baked cookies when the family is in the mood for a yummy snack.

Aside from the jeweled icebox cookies, we love the Mediterranean-inspired icebox cookies with cardamom, dates, and pistachios. We enjoy those year-round with tea or coffee.

Step by step on how to make the refrigerator cookie rolls with candied fruit

Tips for making the yummiest jeweled icebox cookies with candied fruits.

Use sharp knives to chop the pecans and perfectly slice the cherries. We recommend Zelite Infinity knives.

The unsalted butter and the egg require to be at room temperature. This makes the dough soft and easy to manage.

Sifting the flour and the confectioner’s sugar allows removing lumps. Don’t forget to sift both ingredients before making the jeweled icebox cookies.

Cutting and getting ready to bake the cookies

Use parchment paper to make the rolls, and keep them inside a freezer bag.

Freeze the cookie dough log for a minimum of 24 hours before slicing and baking. Use a Zelite Infinity chef knife to achieve a perfect half-inch cut.

Cover the baking sheets with parchment paper for easy baking and release.

The candied fruit and the dry cherries make the cookies very special

Bake the vintage holiday cookies at low heat. When the edges and the bottoms are slightly golden, the cookies are ready.

Serve them in a nice cookie plate and add old-fashioned candies. Both are quintessential holiday treats.

Jeweled Icebox Cookies for Christmas with candied fruit and dry cherries
A hand placing a plate of jeweled icebox cookies in table

Jeweled Icebox Cookies

Chef Adriana Martin
Vintage recipes such as the jeweled icebox cookies with candied fruit bring so many memories from Christmas at Grandma's. Bake them today!
4.78 from 36 votes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Freezing time 1 day
Course Dessert
Cuisine American Cuisine
Servings 20 people
Calories 272 kcal

Equipment

  • Zelite Infinity Pairing Knife
  • Zelite Infinity Chef Knife
  • Zelite Infinity Honesuki Knife
  • Chopping block
  • Scale
  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Sifter
  • Stand Mixer
  • Scrapper
  • Parchment paper
  • Baking sheets

Ingredients
  

  • 227 grams unsalted butter at room temperature (approximately 1 cup / 6 ounce)
  • 125 grams confectioners sugar sifted (approximately 1 cup)
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 packet vanilla powder (vanillin zucker – 8 grams)
  • 1 pinch sea salt
  • 1 egg
  • 281 grams unbleached flour sifted (approximately 2 1/4 cups)
  • 225 grams candied cherries sliced in halves (approximately 1 cup – green and red cherries)
  • 55 grams citron chopped (approximately 1/4 cup)
  • 170 grams pecans roughly chopped (approximately 3/4 cup)
  • 50 grams sugar (approximately 1/4 cup)

Instructions
 

  • Slice the cherries and roughly chop the pecans using the Zelite Infinity knives.
  • Cut the butter into small cubes using Zelite Infinity chef knife and set aside.
  • Sift the flour and the confectioner's sugar to remove lumps.
  • Add the butter to a mixing bowl and whip it in the mixer until soft.
  • Incorporate the sifted confectioner's sugar, the egg, the vanillin, the almond extract, and the sea salt with the whipped butter. Mix until getting a pale yellow fluffy mixture.
  • Incorporate the flour in stages. Do it at a low speed to avoid the flour flying all over the counter.
  • Add the pecans and the candied fruit and mix in. It is recommended to use the hook or a Danish whisk.
  • Divide the dough into two equal portions. Use the scale to weigh in the amount of dough. This measuring helps to make equal size cookie rolls.
  • On a clean surface, place a piece of parchment paper and a portion of the dough. Form a cylinder using your hands and roll the dough with the help of the parchment paper.
  • Sprinkle sugar all over the dough and roll the parchment paper to form a package. Do the same with the second portion of the dough.
  • Place the formed rolls inside a freezer bag and freeze the icebox cookies for at least 24 hours before cutting and baking.
  • Preheat the oven to 350F. Lower the heat to 325F for baking.
  • Remove the frozen icebox cookie rolls from the freezer. And cut half-inch or thinner slices using the Zelite Infinity chef knife.
  • Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the rounds of cookies with enough space between them.
  • Bake the cookies at 325F for 15-20 minutes or until the edges and the bottoms become slightly golden brown.

Notes

Replacements:
  • Citron for candied ginger.
  • Vanillin for vanilla extract (powder or liquid).
  • Pecans for any other nut.
  • Candied cherries for other colorful dried fruit. 
Recommendations:
  • Use a scale for correct measuring.
  • Butter and the eggs require to be at room temperature.
  • Use sharp knives for chopping and slicing. 
  • Sifting the flour and the confectioner’s sugar is required. 
  • Freezing the icebox cookie log for a minimum of 24 hours before baling is a must for this recipe. 
Notes:
  • The icebox cookie dough stays fresh inside the freezer for 3 months.
  • Cookies, when cooked, must be consumed within 5 days. 

Nutrition

Calories: 272kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 3gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 9mgPotassium: 55mgFiber: 1gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 300IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 1mg
Keyword baking, butter, cherries, cookies
Tried this recipe?Mention @adrianasbestrecipes or tag #abrecipes on Instagram
Chef Adriana Martin
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4.78 from 36 votes (27 ratings without comment)
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