This was the second batch of three ice box cookies I was testing in December. The last of the 3 turned out but one or two things didn’t, so the 3rd recipe won’t be featured on the blog. What I learned making Ice Box Cookies is you can put almost anything into them…well almost.
These cookies are both pretty to look at and easy to make. The combination of pistachios, orange and cranberries transcends both sweet and savory items and is always a winner when it comes to baking.
And I love the ice box cookie concept. Get your dough ready, roll and pop into the freezer to be made at a later date. This is something I might consider for a future cookie exchange. Each lady gets a frozen log to take home and a batch of the cookies. Fun!
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp orange extract
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 1 tbsp orange juice
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup pistachios shelled and chopped
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- In a bowl beat your butter with sugars until creamy. Add eggs, orange extract, orange zest and orange juice. Beat until combined.
- In a second bowl sift together your flour, baking soda and salt. Stir in pistachios and cranberries mixing until combined. The dough should be a little sticky and form into a ball easily. If you find it a little dry, you can add another tsp or so of orange juice.
- Split ball into two halves and roll each half into about a 12 inch log. Wrap in foil and put into freezer or fridge.
- When ready to bake cookies slice log into about 1/4 inch slices. Bake in 375 F oven for about 8 minutes.
Cynthia says
Aw, I love how you styled your cookies to look like a Christmas tree. It’s so adorable and festive! I love pistachios; also love how red and green these cookies look. I will definitely give them a try for treat day at the office prior to Christmas. Thanks, Wanda.
Bakersbeans says
Thanks Cynthia!
Julia says
These look too good to resist! And I love your idea of a cookie DOUGH exchange!
Bakersbeans says
Thanks Julia! If only I was more on the ball this year I would have handed out the frozen cookie dough, but alas no!
Shareba @ In Search Of Yummy-ness says
Why haven’t I put pistachios in my cookies before?? The green flecks look so pretty!
Bakersbeans says
Hardest thing when baking with pistachios for me, is to not eat them ALL – ha ha!
Holley says
These cookies are gorgeous! Every year I add a homemade gift to my staff cift baskets, I think it will be these cookies! Thanks for sharing!
Bakersbeans says
I love trying new cookies every year – what a great idea to add a homemade touch to gift baskets!
Sarah | (Cooking for) Kiwi & Bean says
That’s such a cute little Christmas tree! And yes, I also love an icebox cookie and think a log of dough would be AWESOME as part of a cookie exchange!
Ginni Kelley says
I usually love the Pistachio and Cranberry biscottis, and I love icebox cookies, but I never thought of combining the two. Lovely cookies Wanda, I’m going to be adding these to my recipe box for when I do bake cookies.
Bakersbeans says
Hope you love them! Thanks Ginni!
Teresa says
I love the idea of sending everyone home with an unbaked log of dough! Cookies right out of the oven are so festive. I have yet to fill my freezer with my favourite slice and bake cookies this year. I need to get on that soon…