Basic Vanilla Refrigerator Cookies (with variations)

My mom made dozens and dozens of cookies of all varieties, every year at Christmas. We would start early in the morning, and bake all day long. Us kids would give her a "helping hand"; but we were young and very may well have gotten underfoot, more than actually being any sort of help to her. She was a very good and patient mother though, and allowed us to help her make these dozens and dozens of cookies, every year.  I thoroughly enjoyed it, because it meant spending time with her, and it was something I looked forward to, a great deal. 

A "Refrigerator cookie", or "Ice Box cookie" as they are also known by, is a simple cookie dough that is typically rolled into a log, wrapped in plastic wrap or waxed paper and refrigerated for a set amount of time. To bake, the cookie dough roll is cut into slices and baked on a cookie sheet. This is what sets them apart from "Drop Cookies", which is cookie dough that is scooped out of the bowl by a teaspoon or a cookie scoop, and dropped onto the baking sheet. 

This particular recipe is a basic cookie dough that you can then choose to add different ingredients to flavor them. What I remember making most often, are the Spice Cookies. We would press in  several  red hot cinnamon candies, on top of  the sliced dough, to amp up the flavor. I loved these cookies when I was a kid. This recipe brings back a lot of memories, and I can't wait to try it again.

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Basic Cookies

2/3 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 egg

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Using an electric mixer, cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until smooth. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt and beat until mixed together. Divide the dough in half on sheets of waxed paper. Roll each half into a cylinder shape, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.  Wrap each half in waxed paper and chill until firm, at least two hours. 

Heat oven to 425 degrees and cut rolled cookie dough, about 1/4" thick and place on ungreased cookie sheets, about 1" apart. Bake 425 degrees for 5-7 minutes, until light golden brown. Immediately remove from the cookie sheet and set onto a wire rack, to let cool completely. Store in a covered container. 

Makes 60-72 cookies

Notes

The rolled cookie dough will keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or in the freezer, for up to 6 weeks. To bake from frozen state, follow the same directions above. May need to thaw slightly, or bake a little longer.

Variations

1. Spice Cookies  

To the flour, add:

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

2. Lemon or Orange Cookies

To the flour, add:

1 teaspoon of grated peel (using an microplane) of either fresh lemon or fresh orange

3. Coconut Cookies

Add 1 cup coconut at the end

Note: If using the spiced cookie variation, before baking, top each cookie with several of red hot cinnamon candies (see photo below). Bake as directed.