These Ice Box Chocolate Chip Cookies are like having cookies on demand. Make ahead and bake when you are ready, that is what makes these cookies one of the most requested cookies in my house.
What is an Ice Box Cookie
Icebox cookies can go by other names you may be familiar with. You may have heard of refrigerator cookies or slice-and-bake cookies. Maybe you heard your grandmother speak of icebox cookies because they were first created in the 1920s or 1930s when refrigerators were named ice boxes.
These cookies are basically cookie dough formed into a log, then kept in the fridge until you are ready to bake them. You then slice the log into cookie slices and bake. My kids call them homemade Pillsbury cookies because they are very similar to the cookie dough you buy from the refrigerated section at the grocery store.
Tips for Making Ice Box Chocolate Chip Cookies
The chilling time for these cookies is 12 hours and it is really necessary for the best results. The wait is worth it. The dough needs to be thoroughly chilled in order to be able to slice cleanly through the dough log.
Also, the longer chilling time will keep the cookie slices from spreading and creating thin cookies. These cookies are meant to be soft and chewy.
Keep the dough in the fridge until you are ready to bake the cookies. Preheat your oven before removing the cookie dough from the fridge. When your oven is preheated, then slice the cookie dough and bake.
Mini Chocolate Chips and Icing Sugar
For the chocolate chips, the recipe calls for mini chocolate chips because these spread more evenly through the dough. They also are easier to cut through when slicing the dough.
There are three types of sugar in this recipe. Most recipes for chocolate chip cookies call for white or brown sugar or a combination of both. This recipe uses both white and brown sugars but also icing sugar, which blends into the dough better because it is smoother. It is essential to get the right texture for the cookie.
Make Ahead
I keep these cookies on hand in the fridge for the kids. Because they are so easy to bake, the kids love baking them after school or later in the evening while they are studying or hanging out with friends.
Once the dough is made and wrapped in plastic, it can stored for 3 days in the fridge. This way you can make them and store them in the fridge until you are ready to bake.
The cookie dough can also be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months. Simply thaw overnight in the fridge before slicing and baking.
Storing The Baked Cookies
Ice Box Chocolate Chip Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature.
Cookies can also be wrapped and frozen for up to 3 months once baked. Thaw at room temperature.
Ice Box Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, room temperature
- ¾ cup brown sugar, lightly packed
- ½ cup icing sugar
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 Tbsp molasses
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Cream together butter and sugars until smooth and creamy
- Add molasses, egg and vanilla and beat until smooth
- Add baking soda and salt to flour
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, ½ cup at a time, until almost combined
- Fold in chocolate chips
- Separate dough in half
- Form each half into logs about 2½ inch thick
- Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for minimum 12 hours and up to 3 days
- When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheet with parchment paper
- Remove cookie log from fridge and slice dough into ¼" thick round slices
- Place slices on baking sheet
- Bake in preheated oven for 9-11 minutes
- Allow to cool on baking sheet for 3 minutes before moving to cooling rack
- Serve warm or allow to cool completely before serving.
I love having these in the freezer when my son brings his friends home, it’s a quick treat for the growing teens that hang out around here!
These look so easy and delicious! We love chocolate chip cookies!
These look so good. I am going to make a batch today because I am sure my family will love them.
These were delicious and so handy to have chilled and ready to bake!
so cool! This recipe is the best!
I love that I can make these and keep with in the fridge for a few days if I don’t have time to bake them right away.
I’ll have to make these; it’d be fantastic to have those cookies on hand all the time. Chocolate chips are my favorite, and my husband would go crazy for them. Thank you for the Recipe.
I love anything that is sweet. These chocolate cookies 🍪 are perfect for a snack. I have never tried this, but love that I can freeze them for 3 months. Thanks for sharing this cookie recipe
These cookies turned out perfect! They are so easy to make and delicious. I made a couple batches and put the dough in the freezer so we have them ready because we love chocolate chip cookies here.
My kids are always asking me to bake cookies. Having these in the freezer will be great, for when they want a little treat after dinner.
who doesn’t like having cookies on demand!