Here are pages 14 and 15 of the vintage Spry cookbook “Aunt Jenny’s Old-Fashioned Christmas Cookies”. This was published in 1952 and distributed by Lever Brothers Company (the maker of Spry shortening) and featured the company’s advertising character “Aunt Jenny”.

You can view all the pages in this cookbook by visiting this category: Aunt Jenny’s Old-Fashioned Christmas Cookies, simply click a page title to view that section. There is a scan of the pages included below that is clickable to view a larger size.

REFRIGERATOR COOKIES

Refrigerator cookies are sometimes called sliced cookies because the dough is chilled until firm enough to slice, then cut into thin slices and baked. They are universally liked not only because of their brittle-crisp texture but for the convenience they offer in baking. With a roll of cookie dough in the refrigerator, the family can have a batch of oven-fresh cookies at a moment’s notice.

Some Pointers on Refrigerator Cookies

Shape dough in firm rolls 2″ wide, wrap in waxed paper, twisting ends; or pack tightly into a pan. Chill in refrigerator.

Dough must be chilled until firm before slicing. Cut 1/8″ slices with long, sharp knife, place on Sprycoated cookie sheets.

Refrigerator Nut Cookies

Combine and beat thoroughly:

1/2 cup Homogenized Spry
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 unbeaten egg

Sift together:

1 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon soda; add to Spry mixture and blend.

Add…1/2 cup very finely chopped walnuts and mix thoroughly.

Press…dough very firmly together into a roll 2″ in diameter. Wrap in double thickness of waxed paper, twisting ends rather tightly.

Chill…in refrigerator for several hours or overnight.

Cut…1/8″ slices and place on Sprycoated baking sheets. (Slice only what is to be baked, return remainder to refrigerator for baking as needed.)

Bake…in moderately hot oven (375°F.) 8-10 minutes. Makes 5 dozen.

Coconut Refrigerator Cookies. Omit vanilla and nuts. Add 1 teaspoon grated orange rind, 1/4 teaspoon grated lemon rind, and 1 tablespoon orange juice in first mixing stage. Stir 1 cup finely cut coconut into dough.

Chocolate Refrigerator Cookies. Add 2 oz. chocolate, melted, in first mixing stage. Add 1/2 of flour mixture, then 2 tablespoons milk, mixing thoroughly. Add the remaining flour and mix well. Stir in nuts. Shape and bake as above.

Orange Pecan Refrigerator Cookies. Omit vanilla. Add 2 teaspoons grated orange rind and 1 teaspoon orange juice in first mixing stage. Use 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans instead of walnuts.

Lemon Walnut Cookies. Use granulated sugar instead of brown. Omit vanilla and add 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind and 2 teaspoons lemon juice in first mixing stage.

Holiday Cookies. Use granulated sugar instead of brown. Add 1/2 cup finely cut candied cherries and 2 tablespoons finely cut citron. Use very finely chopped unblanched, toasted almonds instead of walnuts.

Toasted Almond Cookies. Add 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon in first mixing step. Use 1/2 cup very finely chopped toasted almonds instead of walnuts.

Peanut Cookies. Use 1/2 cup very finely chopped, salted, blanched peanuts instead of walnuts.

Refrigerator Molasses Cookies

Mix in saucepan:

1 cup Homogenized Spry
1 cup molasses
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar. Bring to boil over low heat and boil 2 minutes. Cool to lukewarm.

Add…1 unbeaten egg and mix

Sift together:

4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon soda
2 teaspoons ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cloves; add to molasses mixture and mix well.

Pack…dough firmly in 8″x8″x2″ Sprycoated pan lined with waxed paper.

Chill…in refrigerator overnight, or until firm enough to slice.

Cut…cookies of desired length and 1/8″ thick. Place on Sprycoated baking sheets. Sprinkle with sugar.

Bake…in moderate oven (350°F.) 10-15 minutes. Makes 8 dozen.

Sliced Gumdrop Cookies

Combine and beat thoroughly:

1/2 cup Homogenized Spry
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 unbeaten egg
1 teaspoon grated orange rind
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt

Sift together:

1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder; add to Spry mixture and blend.

Add…1 tablespoon water and mix.

Add:

1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup shredded coconut
3/4 cup old-fashioned gumdrops, cut fine with scissors
1/2 cup chopped nuts and mix.

Divide…dough in half and press dough very firmly together into 2 rolls 2″ in diameter. Wrap each roll in double thickness of waxed paper, twisting ends rather tightly.

Chill…in refrigerator overnight.

Cut…in 1/4″ slices and place on Sprycoated baking sheets, allowing space for spreading.

Bake…in moderately hot oven (375°F.) 10-12 minutes. Makes about 4 1/2 dozen.

Vary the Shapes

Refrigerator cookies can be sliced in a variety of dainty shapes depending upon how the dough is chilled. For example, the dough can be formed into a roll and sliced into round cookies; or packed into a pan and sliced into squares or oblongs. For a larger yield of Refrigerator Nut Cookies, page 14, double the recipe and pack dough into 8″x8″x2″ pan lined with waxed paper. Chill in refrigerator overnight. Turn dough out of pan, remove paper, and cut dough in thirds. Slice and bake as directed.