Italian Ice Box Cookies?

I'm not sure what they are even called, though I see them all over the place. Ice box cookies? Butter cookies?

I'm talking about those little cookies sold on big trays all over the city at italian bakeries. The little almond crescents covered in powered sugar, Neapolitan-swirled round cookies, mini chocolate chip cookies, etc - you know the kind.



First of all, what is the right name for them? I'm sure that will help in my search...

Secondly, a little Italian grandma who is a friend of my family normally makes big trays of these every year and they are one of the favorites around my house during Christmas. This year she is not feeling well and I don't think we'll be getting any.

Can anyone suggest a bakery where I can get a really excellent version of these cookies? I have never found any that are as good as the ones she makes, though I have found Dinkel's to be pretty good. The problem is that a lot (LOT) of places have pretty mediocre quality cookies (D'Amato's and Delightful Pastries come to mind). So my issue isn't fining someone that makes them - they are all over the place. But rather finding someone that makes them exceptionally well.

I would think Palermo Bakery would be a great place to get these. I would call first, though, as I can't recall if they still do a retail business, though I would imagine they would. http://www.palermobakerychicago.com/

Among my favorites are their plain and iced fig cookies. They also have a bigger/longer rendition of the iced fig cookie -- perfect I would think for having alongside one's morning coffee.

My mother's family was Polish+Italian Swiss: she learned from her mother how to make these cookies. Ummm, delish! IIRC, she used to keep the dough for a while in the fridge. Maybe that's the hook for the name...

Geo

See also Mexican Wedding Cookies for a similar cookie by another name.

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

The more I look into it, I feel like it definitely is not an Italian-only thing. This grandma just happens to be Italian.

The sort of cookies I'm talking about vary in shape, size, form, flavor, etc, but they are all very small and have what I can only assume is a large amount of butter. They are very crunchy and rich - not puffy, soft, bready, or dry at all.

In addition to Palermo, it looks like Original Ferrara in Little Italy may have what I'm after. I'm also not opposed to Dinkel's, as I remember liking their butter cookies. I think a taste test is in order!

Any other specific bakers to hit, please let me know.

I feel like these sort of cookies are a lot like biscuits. A lot of places make them, but only a few make any really worth eating.

I bought an assortment out of a case at an Italian bakery/deli in Highland Park whose name is escaping me but pretty sure they closed. Those cookies were wonderful though. You might try a drive down Taylor Street--I think there are still a couple of bakeries left down there.