Icebox cookies are a favorite cookie to have in the freezer for when I need to serve something sweet. Along with fresh fruit this would be a perfect duo. You could call these “holiday” cookies because of the red cherries and the green pistachios – I like to make them any time! These are two ingredients I usually have in the freezer.
You will love them if you like shortbread cookies, pistachios and dried cranberries/cherries. A little sweet, some crunch with the nuts and chewy dried fruit.
See also Limoncello Cookies of Sorrento and Lemon and Thyme Shortbread
Pistachio-Cherry Icebox Cookies
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. orange zest
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1-1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup pistachio nuts, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup dried cherries (or cranberries) snipped into small pieces
Beat softened butter in a large bowl on high for 30 seconds. Add the sugar, cinnamon, orange zest and salt. Beat 3 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in as much of the flour as possible with the mixer; stir in the remaining flour. Add the nuts and cherries (cranberries) and knead dough until combined.
Divide the dough in half and shape each half into an 8-1/2-inch roll. Wrap in plastic and chill for at least 2 hours. You could also freeze the rolls at this point and bake later; just thaw.
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Using a serrated knife cut rolls into 1/4-inch thick slices. Place 1 inch apart on prepared cookie sheet.
Bake 10-12 minutes or until edges just start to brown. Remove to cool on a wire rack. Each roll makes about 30 cookies. I made 4 smaller rolls of 15 cookies each. Perfect!
Recipe by cookingwithauntjuju.com
Icebox cookies are sooo fabulous! 🍒🍃
I agree Gail – just took out a small log and made only a few cookies!
Mmmm. Bakery fresh! 😋🌿
A simple to make cookie that would be perfect with a cup of afternoon tea.
These icebox cookies are very easy to make and pull out any time you have a “sweet tooth” or unexpected company.
Wonderful cookies. Would love to have one with my tea right now! 🙂
Thanks Ronit – a couple of sweet bites of “goodness” per cookie 🙂
These look yummy!
They were Cindy – I will be making these often as my family/friends love shortbread.
Since I’m not much of a baker, I’ve always love freezer cookies. Slice and bake and enjoy. The colors are really pretty.
Thanks Mimi – “holiday cookies” with the red and green but they are good any time of the year. Easy cookie to have on hand in your freezer.
Well, to make them really as holiday cookies you’d have to use dried cranberries!!!
Of course – that is why I included both cherries and cranberries in the ingredient list.
I was actually just kidding. I’m kind of a purist during the holidays, and would only use cranberries at Christmas time!!!
This sounds like a keeper. Our church has a cookie walk early in Dec. every year so this would be pretty for that. Plus I could make the dough ahead of time, freeze and bake at the last minute.
It definitely is a keeper – I love shortbread and the combination of pistachios and cranberries. A perfect cookie to make ahead for your December walk!
these look wonderful judi. i love cranberries and pistachios and dried cherries so – yum! cheers sherry
Me too Sherry – a perfect “two-bite” cookie!
These cookies look wonderful. I really like the suggestion to freeze the dough and bake later.
They are Sheryl and very tasty too! I have already frozen, thawed and baked a small log and they turned out perfect!
Cinnamon, orange zest and cherries, I loved the flavors of these cookies!!
Thanks – so do I! These cookies are a delicious combination of flavors!