Flag This Hub

Ice Box Cookies ~ Vintage Family Recipe with Step by Step Photos

By


Decorated ice box cookies

Decorated ice box cookies
See all 21 photos
Decorated ice box cookies
Source: Peggy W

Delicious cookies

These ice box cookies are a recipe that came from my maternal grandmother and may have gone back even further. Of that, I am not certain. But what I know for a fact is that my grandmother regularly made them and passed on the recipe to my mother and aunt. I am not sure if my uncle has the recipe...just being a boy and perhaps not as interested in cooking as the girls in the family...but I'll make sure that he gets to read this hub.

It may bring back memories for my uncle and also for my cousins who may remember eating them at one time when we were young and celebrating holidays and other occasions together.

This was often the case when we lived in Wisconsin prior to my parents and grandparents moving to Texas.

These ice box cookies are delicious just plain, but they were often "dressed up" when used as one of the Christmas cookies selections by having colored sugars sprinkled over them prior to them being baked.

This is how they appear in this hub as I have started baking cookies to give away in cookie tins as Christmas gifts this year.

Ice truck delivery

Ice truck delivery
Ice truck delivery
Source: Peggy W
Young men who delivered the ice back then.
Young men who delivered the ice back then.
Source: Peggy W

Ice boxes

My grandparents owned a summer cottage on a lake in Okauchee, Wisconsin and my mother used to fondly recall and tell me tales of all of the fun they had each year in the summertime. Things were a bit more primitive at the cottage than at their home in Milwaukee but that did not matter. Roughing it was half the fun.

Most of the time my mother said that she pretty much lived in her bathing suit while out there.

My grandparents still had an ice box at the lake and blocks of ice were regularly delivered to keep perishable food fresh and longer lasting.

These ice boxes were the precursors to modern day refrigerators, but unlike refrigerators they had no power source.

Blocks of lake ice would be chopped out when the lake was frozen in the winter and kept in an ice house. Then young men would come around in the spring, summer and fall and make deliveries of the ice.

The blocks would be placed at the top part inside of the insulated ice box and since cold falls, everything else placed below that ice would be kept cool. Of course the ice eventually melted and necessitated being replaced on a regular schedule...every few days or so.

My mother said that the kids would excitedly gather round the ice truck delivery and get little pieces of ice upon which they could suck. This also predated snow-cones which is shaved ice with flavorings poured over it.

My dad sometimes helped out a buddy of his and made some ice deliveries. He spotted my mother at that time and thought that she looked pretty sweet! He told this to my mother later on when they got married.

In reminiscing about those days in later years, my mother told me that she was not looking at the ice delivery "boys" in any kind of a romantic way back then. Ha!

To get back to this vintage cookie recipe...ingredients like butter and eggs were undoubtedly kept in the ice boxes back then along with other perishables like meats and dairy products.

Places my mother lived when a child and young lady.

show route and directions
Okauchee, Wisconsin -
Okauchee, Okauchee Lake, WI 53069, USA
[get directions]

Milwaukee, Wisconsin -
Milwaukee, WI, USA
[get directions]

Ingredients for ice box cookies

Ingredients for ice box cookies
Ingredients for ice box cookies
Source: Peggy W

Cookie Ingredients

Okay...let's get started with this old timey recipe by listing the ingredients which are the following:

  • 1 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup lard
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 4 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 2 cups chopped walnuts or almonds ( I used slivered almonds in this recipe)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon hot water
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Here are the instructions...

Begin by creaming together the butter and lard.

I know...many of you might be horrified that lard is being used but the actual amount that makes it into any one cookie is small and it makes these cookies very crisp. This is the only recipe that I have that calls for lard and I go ahead and use it. Believe it or not, lard keeps on a pantry shelf and does not need refrigeration! If you do not wish to use it for anything else...you can always make the birds happy by impregnating it with birdseed and hanging it up in a tree. If you live in the north where birds cannot easily find seeds and rely upon the largess of humans to help them survive the long winter months, you will feel good about using the lard in this manner.

Cream the butter and lard.
Cream the butter and lard.
Source: Peggy W

Add the sugars and cream together thoroughly.

Add the brown and granulated sugar and cream together thoroughly.
Add the brown and granulated sugar and cream together thoroughly.
Source: Peggy W

Add the eggs one at a time beating well after the addition of each one.

Add the eggs one at a time and cream thoroughly.
Add the eggs one at a time and cream thoroughly.
Source: Peggy W

Sift the flour and cinnamon together.

Sift the flour and cinnamon
Sift the flour and cinnamon
Source: Peggy W

Use a small amount of the sifted flour mixture to coat the nuts in a separate bowl.

Mix a little of the sifted flour into the nuts to coat them.
Mix a little of the sifted flour into the nuts to coat them.
Source: Peggy W

Mix the baking soda with the hot water in a separate container.

Mix the baking soda and hot water together.
Mix the baking soda and hot water together.
Source: Peggy W

To the main bowl add the flour alternating with the baking soda and nuts to the creamed batter and mix thoroughly.

Then shape into long rolls using as little flour as possible to keep it from sticking. Flour the board and your hands as you do this.

I generally make these rolls into about a one to one-and-a-half inch diameter which ultimately makes about 160 small cookies, but obviously you can make the rolls as large as you wish ultimately making the cookies larger and fewer of them once they are sliced and baked.

Getting ready to form the batter into long rolls.
Getting ready to form the batter into long rolls.
Source: Peggy W
Use your hands to form into rolls.
Use your hands to form into rolls.
Source: Peggy W

Place these ice box cookie rolls into a container and cover and chill in refrigerator overnight. Obviously if you have an old ice box, you can use that as well! :))

Rolls of ice box cookies ready to be chilled overnight.
Rolls of ice box cookies ready to be chilled overnight.
Source: Peggy W

After a restful night your chilled ice box cookies are ready to be baked. Cut them into thin slices with a sharp knife and place them onto greased cookie sheets. I use the spray product called Pam on the baking sheets.

Slicing the rolls of ice box cookies.
Slicing the rolls of ice box cookies.
Source: Peggy W

Below is a close-up photo of what these unbaked ice box cookies look like with the sliced almonds after they are sliced and put onto the baking sheet.

Now here is where you can either leave the cookies plain or decorate with colored sugars if desired. I did the latter as they look pretty mixed into cookie tins as part of a Christmas cookie assortment when given as gifts.

The ice box cookies sprinkled with colored sugar crystals prior to baking.
The ice box cookies sprinkled with colored sugar crystals prior to baking.
Source: Peggy W
Source: Peggy W

Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 to 10 minutes or until evenly browned.

Baked ice box cookies
Baked ice box cookies
Source: Peggy W

Take off of the baking pans and cool on racks prior to putting into storage containers.

Ice box cookies being cooled on wire racks.
Ice box cookies being cooled on wire racks.
Source: Peggy W

You can also share your recipes online and perhaps make some extra money. No cost! Click here and get started today.

These ice box cookies freeze beautifully and maintain their crispness. They are delicious cookies!

Note: If using a convection oven set at the same temperature, these cookies bake in about 7 minutes. I was able to bake three tins at a time using the convection oven.

Hope you enjoyed these step by step photos of this ice box cookie recipe from my grandmother which was passed on to my mother and now resides in my hands. Enjoy them and let me know if you are planning to add them to your cookie baking repertoire.

Plate of ice box cookies all dressed up for Christmas gift giving.

Plate of ice box cookies all dressed up for Christmas gift giving.
Plate of ice box cookies all dressed up for Christmas gift giving.
Source: Peggy W
5 stars from 2 ratings of Ice Box Cookies ~ Vintage Family Recipe

Look how pretty these ice box cookies look in an assortment ready to give as gifts.

Look how pretty these ice box cookies look in an assortment ready to give as gifts.
Look how pretty these ice box cookies look in an assortment ready to give as gifts.
Source: Peggy W

Comments

Peggy W 4 days ago

Hi alocsin,

While this ice box cookie recipe is old, it can still be made today for anyone who wishes to take the time. It is well worth it! Thanks for your comment and votes.

alocsin 4 days ago

Creating a roll first and cutting them into discs is what makes this different. I like the history of a technology we no longer have. Voting this Up and Interesting.

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hi Mark,

I must admit...everyone seems to be enjoying the ice box cookies as well as the other ones given in those cookie tins this year. :)) Thanks for your comment.

Mark Bronze 5 months ago

Tis no wonder, Peggy, that this was hub of the day. It is excellent. The ice box cookies assortment in the final image is so nice and who would not want to get such a beautiful gift at Christmas, or any other time of the year. The thought and effort that goes into the making of such gifts is appreciated as much as the gift itself.

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hi Cathy Sunnquist,

I am certain that if you make these ice box cookies and present them to her as a gift, she will love it. Thanks for your comment.

Cathy Sunnquist 5 months ago

My mother in law loves ice box cookies and I'm sure this recipe will please her this Christmas. She still calls her refrigerator an "ice box"!

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hello anjali,

The same for my family! These ice box cookies were part of our family tradition especially during the Christmas season. Thanks for your comment.

anjali 5 months ago

It may bring back memories for my uncle and also for my cousins who may remember eating them at one time when we were young and celebrating holidays and other occasions together.

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hello homesteadbound,

I think that you will love them. Walnuts are equally good in these ice box cookies...just a little different flavor. Enjoy and thanks for your comment.

homesteadbound 5 months ago

Wonderful story about the past and the present. These look so yummy. The almonds mixed it looks like a really great idea. Looking forward to making some for myself.

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hello Ibidd54,

Hope you enjoy these ice box cookies as much as we have over the years. Thanks for your comment.

lbidd54 5 months ago

Thanks for sharing your family recipe and I loved the story of your family at their lake house. I can't wait to

try these delicious sounding cookies.

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hi Steph,

These ice box cookies are good any time of the year and of course do not have to be topped with the colored sprinkles. Other nuts like walnuts in them are also good in place of the almonds. Glad that you liked learning about my relative's use of iceboxes at the lake. Thanks for your comment and Merry Christmas to you!

stephhicks68 5 months ago

Beautiful and festive cookies! I think I liked the "backstory" almost as much as the recipe. You've inspired me to head into the kitchen next weekend. Cheers and Happy Holidays, Steph

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hello Kristine Manley,

So glad to hear that you liked this. Hope you actually taste these ice box cookies someday. They are always a hit! Thanks for your comemnt.

Kristine Manley 5 months ago

Oh My! I'm hooked. What a wonderful recipe and step by step directions.

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hello Gossiper,

It would seem that both of our grandmothers made these ice box cookies. Glad that it brought back good memories for you. Thanks for your comment.

Gossiper 5 months ago

Thanks for the great memories, Ms. Peggy. I remember my Granny making these, and how hard it was to wait while the cookies formed up in the fridge.

Many Recipes books: http://goo.gl/lCq1g

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hello Hillbilly Zen,

It is nice that this ice box cookies recipe brought back memories of your granny. Obviously it is an old recipe and a good one to have lasted all these years. Thanks for your comment.

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hi Mary,

Guess people can take a stab at knowing that neither of us are "spring chickens" since we have both heard of ice boxes and the use of lard. Ha! Thanks for the congratulations and also for your comment on this ice box cookies hub.

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hello arusho,

These ice box cookies are delicious...even better than they look. If you decide to try them, let me know what you think. Thanks!

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hello DzyMsLizzy,

I am sure that Crisco could easily be substituted for the lard. The nuts could also be pulverized just to impart some flavor. Walnuts work just as well in this recipe. So feel free to experiment. Sorry to hear of your husband's teeth issues. Not fun for him or anyone cooking for him, I am sure. Thanks for your comment and votes. Appreciate it!

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hello CheerAdvisor,

Let me know what you think after baking these cookies. Thanks and thanks for your comment.

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hello CookwareBliss,

It is about time to get baking! Nice to hear that this ice box cookies hub got you inspired! Ha! Thanks for your comment.

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hello TransferAmerica,

Thanks for your comment regarding these ice box cookies and the instructions on how to make them.

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hello Allana Calhoun,

Glad that you liked these step by step instructions. Sounds like you have a good tried and true cookie recipe of your own going back in time. Thanks for your comment.

Hillbilly Zen 5 months ago

Thanks for the great memories, Ms. Peggy. I remember my Granny making these, and how hard it was to wait while the cookies formed up in the fridge.

Congratulations on Hub of the Day! Voted up, useful and interesting.

mary615 5 months ago

Hi Peggy congrats of Hub of the Day!!! A lot of younger folks never heard of an ice box, and have never heard of lard, either. I remember both! Whoops, just revealed my age, didn't I??? I've bookmarked this Hub for future reference. Goodnight.

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hello randomcreative,

Thanks for the congrats and thanks for your comment. If you decide to try baking these ice box cookies for yourself...enjoy!

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hello B. A. Williams,

Our grocery stores in Houston still sell lard. Good luck in finding it if you decide to make these ice box cookies. Crisco would probably be a fine alternative if you cannot find the lard. Thanks for your comment.

arusho 5 months ago

those look delicious, yum!

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hello tillsontitan,

Glad that you found the photos and instructions in making these ice box cookies helpful. Thanks for your comment and votes.

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hello mljdgulley354,

I would imagine that there are fewer and fewer ice boxes available for purchase as time goes on. Interesting that you used to refinish them and then sell them. Would make a good hub if you took photos! Thanks for your comment.

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hello oceansnsunsets,

Glad that you enjoyed the photos of these ice box cookies. When you make them...enjoy! Thanks for your comment.

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hi ktrapp,

Thanks for the complementary comment and enjoy your ice box cookies this year.

DzyMsLizzy 5 months ago

Congratulations on Hub of the Day! These do indeed look wonderful!

Funny--my parents were of the last generation to remember actual ice boxes--my dad more so--and they both would call the refrigerator the "ice box" more often than not--especially dad. ;-)

I wonder what would happen if I were to use all butter, or sub in something like Crisco for the lard. As a vegetarian, I do not use or eat any part of animals in any amount.

Also, I wonder if the almonds could be finely chopped or ground without affecting the outcome--my husband is a victim of the Medicare dental butchers, and has no teeth, (they think extractions are the way to fix cavities!), and the "falsies" they made do not fit at all, so nothing with nuts for him. :-(

I'm not much of a baker, and I go for simplicity--I'm not confident with trying to alter recipes.

However, I fully enjoyed the hub, your photos, and anecdotes. No wonder you were honored with the HOD award!

Voted up, interesting, useful, and .. ... dang... once again, no "delicious" button!

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hello brsmom68,

Hope you enjoy these ice box cookies as much as my family has over the years. Thansk for your comment.

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hello applecsmith,

Calling a refrigerator an ice box is certainly a throw back to earlier times. Glad that this hub brought the meaning into focus for you. Thanks for your comment.

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hi RTalloni,

Oh yes, please do let me know how your substitution works out if you make these ice box cookies. Am sure that others would be interested as well. Thanks!

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hello pstraubie48,

Enjoy this ice box cookie recipe, adding it to all the others you have found on Hubpages. There are many cook cooks and bakers here! Thanks for your comment.

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hello vasantha T k,

Wouldn't that be nice if we could just smell and taste the photos from all the good recipes shown on Hubpages. If anyone ever invents that...they will make a fortune! Haha! Thanks for your comment.

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hello chspublish,

Most often I bake a double batch of cookies unless the original recipe is a huge one particularly when baking them to give away. The clean up factor is the same, so I figure I am saving some time and effort that way...at least on the clean up end of it. Thanks for your comment.

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hello Eileen Hughes,

They still sell lard in our stores in Houston...both small and even large boxes. It amazes me that it can be kept on a shelf without refrigeration, but it definitely can. Obviously we purchase the small container and only use it for this one purpose of baking the ice box cookies. Thanks for your comment.

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hello The Dirt Farmer,

Thanks for the congrats on HOFD and for your comment. Appreciate it.

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hi Gail,

That is exactly what makes these ice box cookies so nice (in addition to the taste, of course)...the make ahead and easy to freeze capability. Thanks for the congrats on making hub of the day and also for your comment. I wondered why I suddenly had so many comments! :))

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hello ehow101,

Let me know if your wife decides to make them and what you think. Thanks for your comment.

CheerAdvisor 5 months ago

Wow, that recipe and pictures take me back to younger days in Houston. I think I will be making some of these cookies this weekend. Thanks for sharing.

CookwareBliss 5 months ago

This hub makes me want to start baking for the holidays!

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hello jbrock2041,

By putting the sprinkles onto the cookies before baking, they stay in place better after the ice box cookies are baked. Obviously one can skip this step entirely. It just makes it more festive looking in a Christmas cookie assortment. Thanks for your comment.

TransferAmerica 5 months ago

I love your step by step directions!! These cookies look absolutely delicious!

Allana Calhoun 5 months ago

Nicely written. Love that you have step-by-step pictures, those allow you to compare your own results along the way. :D Sounds like a good recipe. Personally, I use a sugar cookie recipe I perfected using a cookbook from the 50's, my mom's recipe from what I could remember and other miscellaneous sugar cookie recipes. Took several (and I mean several) attempts. The recipe my mom used always was chilled for a couple of hours before we cut the shapes but my current recipe is good warm or cold.

randomcreative 5 months ago

Great recipe! I love all of the detailed photos, instructions, and family history. Congrats on getting Hub of the Day!

B. A. Williams 5 months ago

Great photos and I remember my mother making these cookies. Have to wonder where you buy lard, I assume the grocery store has it?

Excellent article!

tillsontitan 5 months ago

Can't wait to try them! I can't eat them but my family can. The best part is they're so easy to make. Your pictures are great too. Voted up and useful

mljdgulley354 5 months ago

Peggy W I love the pictures and step by step tutorial for making the cookies. I used to refinish antiques and the ice box was one of my best sales. Even then they were hard to come by.

oceansnsunsets 5 months ago

I will have to make these this holiday season, thanks so much for sharing this Peggy! Loved the photos too. :)

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hi Moon Daisy,

My great-grandparents, grandparents and parents all had good times at the lake. In the case of my mother and her family...it was just a summer cottage. My dad actually grew up on Okauchee Lake. Glad I could tell you about ice boxes as well as ice box cookies. Thanks for your comment.

Peggy W 5 months ago

Hello softhard,

Glad that you liked this ice box cookies recipe. Thanks for your comment.

ktrapp 5 months ago

Hi Peggy. I know I commented before, but I wanted to congratulate you on "hub of the day." This great recipe, with a story to go with it, as well as great photos, make it a must-read and a must-bake in my opinion. I have bookmarked this hub and am going to add them to my list of Christmas cookies to bake this year.

brsmom68 5 months ago

This is a recipe I am most definitely going to try. It is almost time to start my Christmas baking; these will be a big hit I'm sure. Thank you for sharing with the rest of us!

applecsmith 5 months ago

Oh wow. Your pictures make it look easy and absolutely delicious! My dad still calls the refrigerator an "ice box" and now I understand why. Great recipe here, perfect for the holidays. Congratulations on being the hub of the day.

RTalloni 5 months ago

Such a great history with your cookies. They are so festive, too. Congrats on Hub of the Day for an interesting and must try recipe! If I get to make these I'll try to let you know how I substituted the cow milk butter.

pstraubie48 5 months ago

Congratulations on hub of the day!!Cookies...everywhere...I have found and tried so many really terrific cookie recipes since I joined hubpages. I have found yet another to try. Thank you for sharing.

Another cookie to share with my family this holiday...

vasantha T k 5 months ago

Peggy,

Congratulations for the hub of the day. I wish if I can get the cookies from the monitor like print outs to eat,they look so delicious. Best wishes.

chspublish 5 months ago

A very comprehensive hub, full of more things than a recipe for cookies. Nice recipe too.

Have done the exact same as your recipe, but you have more ingredients and a greater amount also, which makes sense to cook a big batch in one go. Thanks.

Eileen Hughes 5 months ago

great detail and pictures. look yummy, I havent used lard for about as long as your grandmother been baking. haha, not sure if they still have it in our stores in Oz cannot remember even seeing it. so will have to check it out. Thanks rated up

The Dirt Farmer 5 months ago

Congrats on HOTD, Peggy! Love the recipe, the nostalgia & the awesome old photos.

Happyboomernurse 5 months ago

Just came back to wish you congratulations on making Hub of the Day!These look like great cookies that can be done ahead of time and frozen until the day guests arrive or you want to give them away as presents.

ehow101 5 months ago

Yummy... I nver heard about ice box cookies before. I will definitely point my wife to your hub :-)

jbrock2041 5 months ago

Great hub. And I really thought you told your story really well. I also like how you anticipated some of the reader's concerns or thoughts, especially about the lard. The pictures step by step are great! I'm not a huge baker but I thought it was interesting that the sprinkles got put on before the cookies got cooked- I've never done that before. Thanks for sharing.

Moon Daisy 5 months ago

They look amazing! Thanks for posting this. I also did not know about ice boxes before. Sounds like an idyllic life by the lake, in the time of ice boxes.

softhard 5 months ago

Looks very tasty. Very interesting hub.

Peggy W 6 months ago

Hi Little Nell,

It is probably about the same time frame over here that ice houses have ceased to be regularly used. The cabin that my grandparents owned were simple summer cottages on the lake. Later on people winterized them and made them year round abodes. And this was when my mother was a girl. So the years were in the late 1920's and 1930's to the best of my knowledge. Thanks for commenting on this ice box cookies hub.

Little Nell 6 months ago

I was really amazed to read your account of icehouses and ice boxes used in living memory. In England I don't think they have been used since WW2. I know two old houses where the icehouses are still intact and used to be packed out with ice from lakes. Very few have survived. Fascinating!

Peggy W 6 months ago

Hi Simone,

I should be baking the next batch of cookies right now instead of hubbing. Ah well...there is still time! Glad that you liked this family recipe of the ice box cookies. You can't gain any weight by reading! Haha! Thanks for your comment.

Peggy W 6 months ago

Hi Dim,

I think that this vintage recipe goes back to the day and age prior to refrigerators when ice boxes were what helped keep food cold. Also the use of lard which was frequently used in baking dates this old family recipe. Hope that answers your question. Thanks for your comment.

Simone Smith 6 months ago

Once again, Peggy W, you're KILLING me with these delicious cookie photos! What I would GIVE to be in my kitchen baking up a storm right now!!!

Thanks for sharing this wonderful family recipe with us. I can't wait to give it a try!

Dim Flaxenwick 6 months ago

These look scrummy. yum yum.

Why are they called ice box cookies.? (forgive me. l´m British)

Peggy W 6 months ago

Hi Dolores,

I thought that I would give it a try...stopping to take photos of the step by step process in making these ice box cookies. Seemed to work OK so I decided to create more cookie hubs of the ones that I am baking this year to be given away as gifts when I get the full assortment baked. That way...anyone wanting the recipes can be directed to the hubs.

All the stories I heard about my mother's youth and growing up days at the lake cottage in the summers sounded like so much fun. She was the type of person that created fun no matter where she lived and no matter what was going on. I truly miss her!

We did many years of this cookie baking together. Thanks for your comment.

Dolores Monet 6 months ago

Hi, Peggy - whoah your pictures are fabulous. Who ever thought that pictures of cookie making could be so wonderful? And I love the story of your mother at the lake in the summer. What a wonderful time they must have had - it sounds like heaven!

Peggy W 6 months ago

Hi Judi,

It would be interesting to see how your mom's ice box cookie recipe compares with this one from my grandmother. Let me know... Thanks for your comment.

Judi O 6 months ago

I remember making these with my mom. I know I have her recipe somewhere. I'm going to find it and compare.

Peggy W 6 months ago

Hello carcro,

I am too young to remember ice boxes but my mother experienced them at the lake cottage that her parents owned. Hope you enjoy these ice box cookies when you give them a try! Thanks for your votes and comment.

Peggy W 6 months ago

Hello cheap flights,

These ice box cookies are mouth watering and delicious. Thanks for your comment.

Peggy W 6 months ago

Hello Eiddwen,

Just made two more batches of other homemade cookies and they are already in the freezer. Thanks for your comment and stay tuned!

Peggy W 6 months ago

Hello cgreen7090,

Hope you enjoy your ice box cookies this Christmas! Thanks for taking the time to comment.

Peggy W 6 months ago

Hi Don,

Glad that this ice box cookies hub took you down memory lane. Like you said, most people back then used lard in their baking and I have heard that it makes for the flakiest pie crusts. It does make these cookies stay nice and crisp. As to bacon fat being saved...we still do that but keep it in the refrigerator. Some recipes actually call for it. Most of the time we use olive oil in our cooking which of course is a lot healthier alternative. Thanks for your comment.

carcro 6 months ago

Wow, this is fantastic. I have never heard of Ice box cookies. makes sense that there from a long time ago. Nicely illustrated with all those great pics. Thanks for sharing this recipe... can't wait to try! Voted Up and Awesome.

cheap flights 6 months ago

Mouth watering...smashing

Eiddwen 6 months ago

Mmmmmm!! Another to bookmark,take care and enjoy your day.

Eiddwen.

Peggy W 6 months ago

Hi Frieda,

Things do seem to be moving much faster these days! I remember when my paternal grandmother was still alive she was amazed that she had gone from the horse and buggy days to seeing the first automobile, the first airplanes and ended up seeing a man on the moon among other things. She often spoke of that. She would also have had an ice box in her earlier days. These ice box cookies come from my maternal grandmother's side of the family. Hope you enjoy them! Thanks for your comment.

cgreen7090 6 months ago

Thank you for taking the time to share this with us. Looking forward to making these this Christmas.

dahoglund 6 months ago

I remeber my mother made ice box cookies, although we had refrigerators ever since I remember.As I recall my sister latched on to some in her refrigerator after mother died and we were clearing out her house.I think everything was msde with lard in those days. I remeber we used to keep a can on the stove to save grease dripping from bacon and such.I will say that eggs fry up pretty good in bacon grease, although we don't use much of either anymore.Anyhow for me it was a nostalgic hub.

Frieda Babbley 6 months ago

Peggy, I love the story behind these cookies. What a joy to read. You know, when I was little iceboxes weren't such a foreign thing. My kids, on the other hand... To me not much time has gone by, and perhaps it really hasn't, just the way of life has moved forward a bit faster. Going to share this with the family and try out these yummy ice box cookies cookies. Wonderful hub. Thumbs up all that good stuff.

Peggy W 6 months ago

Hi vasantha T k,

Thanks for your comment and vote on this ice box cookies hub. Appreciate it.

Peggy W 6 months ago

Hello thelyricwriter,

Times may have been harder regarding the conveniences we take for granted today but I think that people were more appreciative of one another regarding family values. They worked together and played together more. They knew their neighbors better. Doors and windows were seldom locked and IF locked, the key was under the doormat or in a nearby potted plant which everyone would have known. I have heard so many wonderful stories from my mother of those days.

Glad that you liked this ice box cookies hub and the reference to those ice boxes of old.

Oh yes...Houston and most of Texas for that matter has suffered a severe drought this year. Dead and dying trees and shrubs almost everyone one looks. Wildfires rampant. It is actually scary! We have gotten a little rain of late...but so much in arrears regarding even our water supply! Everyone is hoping and praying for more rain down here. Thanks for asking and thanks for your comment and votes.

vasantha T k 6 months ago

colorful icebox cookies beautiful voted .

thelyricwriter 6 months ago

Up and across but funny. An excellent reference and source Peggy. The pics make everything so much easier. These cookies look great and I would bet my bottom dollar they taste even better:) I really never knew that ice use to be delivered. I never had the chance to grow up during those times, but things appeared so much laid back with the lack of technology, or perhaps, slow paced. Not that life was easy. This was a fun read and a great article Peggy. I didn't know if Houston was in the major drought area. If so, I hope you guys are getting some much needed rain. I haven't had a chance to watch the news lately, so I hope all is well. Great work Peggy. Talk to you soon.

Peggy W 6 months ago

Hi ktrapp,

It is nice to have some pictures and memories of the past as it used to be. By the time I came along there were refrigerators and no longer the need for ice being delivered to houses. I am glad that I grew up hearing those stories and can now share them with others. Thanks for your comment on this old fashioned ice box cookies recipe.

Peggy W 6 months ago

Hi Cheryl,

You can expect these ice box cookies again this year as a gift. Now you have the recipe in case you are ever tempted to make them for yourself. Thanks for your comment.

Peggy W 6 months ago

Hi Prasetio,

Hope that you and your mother enjoy these homemade cookies. Thanks for your comment.

ktrapp 6 months ago

Peggy, These ice box cookies are really beautiful in a rustic sort of way. I love the story of the cookies and summers in Wisconsin with the ice truck - a nice snapshot of life before refrigeration as we know it today! ~voting up and beautiful~

Cheryl J. 6 months ago

I love the delicious ice box cookies. I am grateful I had the opportunity to receive as gifts these delicious cookies from you and your mother for several years. I am happy your grandmother shared her recipe with your dear mother and now you can share with others. Great hub, photos and information on making these wonderful ice box cookies.

prasetio30 6 months ago

Peggy, this was another delicious recipes from you. Again.. you complete this hub with step by step cooking instruction. I love colored sugar crystal, it made this cookies really look more interesting. Rate up and I'll show this to my mother. Take care!

Prasetio

Peggy W 6 months ago

Hi Gail,

My mother often talked about the great childhood she had...and from all accounts, she truly did. Her grandparents also had a lake cottage next to the one her parents owned. So lots of fun and family outings.

Thanks for your comment and votes.

Happyboomernurse 6 months ago

Loved the background info on how this recipe was passed down through the generations and also how your mother and grandmother spent summers on the lake. The old fashioned ice boxes seemed so "green" in that they utilized natural ice chunked off from the lake!

The cookies look delicious and even the step by step photo gallery looked good!

Thanks for sharing this.

Voted up, useful, beautiful and interesting.

Peggy W 6 months ago

Hi Gene,

I do not personally remember the days of ice being delivered but certainly remember the milkman deliveries. Ah...those were the days! Ha!

Peggy W 6 months ago

Hi Ann,

Not that my diet is always the best...but the way I handle the homemade cookies is to give most of them away. Cuts endless calories that way! :))

Gene Jasper 6 months ago

I hope it was as much fun making the cookies as eating them! Looked like a lot of work to me. I might not be the cookie fiend I am if i was the one who made them when I was a youngster. That was a long time ago! so long that I remember the ice being delivered to my Grandmother's house in Lexington, Kentucky.

Peggy W 6 months ago

Hi Rochelle,

This ice box cookie is also good with ground walnuts. I got a kick out of your saying that your recipe was so modern because they were called refrigerator cookies. Ha! I think that I have that old Betty Crocker cookbook that was in my mother's collection. I have some that are even older! Thanks for your comment.

anndavis25 6 months ago

There goes my diet. Good hub.

Rochelle Frank 6 months ago

I used to make these a lot-- but haven't done it for years. My recipe used soft shortening instead of lard and butter, and always with finely chopped walnuts. Thanks for reminding me.

I think my recipe is from the old Betty Crocker cookbook. It was so 'modern' they were called Refrigrator Cookies.

Peggy W 6 months ago

Hi tlpoague,

Hope that you and your daughter both enjoy these ice box cookies. Thanks for the first comment.

tlpoague 6 months ago

Yum!! I love these cookies. Your photos are awesome! Thanks for sharing this receipe. I will have to pass it on to my daughter.

Submit a Comment
Members and Guests

Sign in or sign up and post using a hubpages account.



    Like this Hub?
    Please wait working