This Coconut Icebox Cookie Recipe is a thin and crispy shortbread cookie with toasted coconut garnish. Guaranteed to satisfy any coconut lover. Keep the frozen dough in your freezer for unexpected company or sneaky sugar attacks.
Do you remember icebox cookies from old cookbooks?
“Icebox?” That’s an old-fashioned term. Are they the same as “slice-and-bake cookies?” Oh yes!
Why you should make these cookies
This recipe has all the convenience of grocery story slice-n-bake cookies. Keep them in your freezer and you can have fresh warm cookies in the time it takes to preheat your oven and bake them.
With only 5 ingredients, it won’t take you long to throw the dough together. However, it MUST be refrigerated (or frozen) before baking, so plan ahead.
If you are a coconut lover, you simply must add this crazy simple cookie to your collection. They’re great on their own, but they also play nice with a simple dessert, like ice cream, pudding, or creme brulée.
FAQ for Coconut Shortbread Cookies
These lovely but delicate cookies are not good travelers. That is to say, no US Mail or UPS. On the other hand, they are perfect for a party, shower, or tea time snack.
The dough will keep in the freezer for 2-3 months. Double wrap the dough to avoid freezer burn.
Store them in an air-tight container for up to a week. Store in the freezer for 2-3 weeks.
Two things:
1. The cookie dough must be well-chilled. Either freeze for two hours before baking or chill the dough in the refrigerator overnight.
2. Cover your cookie sheet with a silicone baking sheet. It helps to prevent spreading.
Since there is no baking powder in these cookies and they are not confined to a pan, they will spread some. You won’t have to wait very long for the cookies to cool and get crispy.
I use flaked, sweetened coconut. You could also use unsweetened coconut for a slightly less sweet cookie. I don’t recommend shaved coconut.
How to form Coconut Shortbread Cookies before chilling
More recipes for coconut or shortbread lovers
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Hope to see you again soon!
Paula
p.s. Questions? Email me: paula at saladinajar.com.
Coconut Icebox Cookies
Keep the dough for these crispy coconut shortbread cookies in your freezer for sweet emergencies.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened (no substitutions)
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup flaked coconut plus some for rolling
Instructions
- Mix butter until creamy. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Add in vanilla. Gradually add in flour, then coconut, and mix well.
- Form dough into 12 x 3 x 1-inch log. Wrap in plastic wrap or wax paper. I like to form a log into a shape that will result in rectangular cookies when sliced.
- Optional: Sprinkle the wax paper or plastic wrap with about 1/4 cup of loose coconut. Lay the shaped log on top of the coconut and roll it to press the coconut into the sides.
- Freeze at least 2 hours or refrigerate overnight.
- Preheat oven to 300˚F.
- Slice dough into 1/4-inch slices and arrange 1 inch apart on a silicone mat-covered cookie sheets.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes. Edges should begin to turn golden. Makes about 40 cookies.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
40Serving Size:
2Amount Per Serving: Calories: 85Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 43mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 0gSugar: 5gProtein: 1g
Maya
Thursday 10th of August 2017
Can i use dessicated coconut?
Paula
Thursday 10th of August 2017
Hi Maya,
Probably. But honestly, I haven't tried it myself so can't say for sure.
April F
Monday 26th of August 2013
I just made these tonight for my husband who LOVES coconut. They are fantastic!!! This is a keeper recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Dee
Tuesday 14th of February 2012
I have made your greek yogurt which, by the way, is now the center of my life, and these cookies. They are to die for. Everyone at work took the recipe. But the yogurt will get me to 80 - I'm now 70!!! Ha!
Amanda
Saturday 1st of May 2010
These look fabulous Romaine! I don't make shortbread enough, and it's sooo good :)
mike
Thursday 29th of April 2010
I LOVE refer cookies! They are so convenient - but I've never made coconut refer cookies. Will have to add this to my must-bake list. I'm sure they were wonderful the the burnt sugar ice cream - I made this and it's in my freezer - locked up tight. It's too tempting to not eat the whole container! I love the shape of these cookies too - they're just perfect Springtime cookies!