I just love the term "icebox cookies." It's so quaint, isn't it? When I think about them, I feel like I'm being transported back in time - like I'm actually baking in my kitchen wearing pumps, a frilly apron over my crinoline-lined skirt, and pearls. Oooh, this dough is too soft to use. I know! I'll put it in the icebox! Maybe one day my ship will come in and I'll be able to buy one of those new-fangled electrical refrigerator units.
Do you know what's even better than the term "icebox cookies?" Making the actual icebox cookies themselves. For someone who loves to bake and who spends a high percentage of her week in the kitchen, I actually do not like to spend a lot of time making finicky or fussy things.
That's the beauty of icebox cookies; they are very easy to make, there is no finicky rolling or shaping required, and the dough can be made in advance and either refrigerated or frozen, depending on when you want to actually bake them. These peppermint crunch icebox cookies are scrumptious and give a lot of bang for your effort-buck. They are festive enough to leave out for Santa - if they last that long!
Ingredients
For the cookies -
In a large bowl, cream together the brown sugar and coconut oil. Add the flax "egg" and vanilla extract and mix well. Mix in the salt, baking powder, flour, and cocoa until combined. Form dough into a cylinder (approximately 8 inches by 2 inches) and wrap in plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator 2 hours, or until firm. MAKE-AHEAD NOTE: the dough can be left in the refrigerator for up to three days, or in the freezer for up to three months. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Slice dough into 1/4 inch thick rounds. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. When cookies are cooled, whisk together icing sugar and almond milk until smooth. Using a fork, drizzle onto cookies and immediately sprinkle with crushed candy canes. Be sure to set some out for Santa! (S)he'll enjoy them!
Um, honey? What's in the fridge?
What do you mean, that doesn't look appetizing?
I wanted to tell that dough, "It gets better."
And the Ugly Duckling became a swan. The end.
Want more easy, festive cookies? Try my Classic Gingerbread Men or my Vegan Gluten-Free Peppermint Almond Cookies. Just want an easy, peppermint-infused treat? Try my Quick and Easy Candy Cane Popcorn.
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