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    Home » Desserts » Cookies » Key Lime Cookies

    Key Lime Cookies

    Published: Aug 18, 2021 by Linda Warren

    Jump to Recipe

    These Key Lime Cookies are soft and buttery with a zesty, melt-in-your-mouth flavor from key limes. They're the perfect sweet-tart combination that is just as delicious in summer as it is around Christmas time. And don't be surprised when they disappear as quickly as you can make them!

    Stacked Key Lime Cookies on wooden table with limes and cookie tin in back.

    Having lived in Florida for over 38 years I'm totally obsessed with anything key lime. From my Key Lime Smoothies for breakfast to tropical Key Lime Cocktails for happy hour to authentic Key Lime Pie for dessert, I never get tired of its zesty, refreshing taste.

    Cookie with bite out of it laying next to stack of cookies.

    One of the easiest ways to get my key lime fix is by whipping up these melt-in-your-mouth, citrusy Key Lime Cookies. It's amazing how much they taste like those packaged Key Lime Coolers you buy in Key West. And they're just as tart, delicious, and tender too!

    Table of contents

    • Ingredients
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Variations
    • How to Make Key Lime Cooler Cookies
    • More Key Lime Recipes
    Sugar coated cookies on wooden table next to bag of powdered sugar.

    Ingredients

    • Butter - is a must in cookies, adding moisture and helping with leavening. A high quality butter is important since it lends delicious flavor to the overall baked goods.
    • Sugars - aside from sweetening the cookies also adds texture and keeps the cookies soft and moist.
    • Eggs - are a binding agent as well as a leavening agent. While the whites add moisture and stability, the egg yolks contribute to texture and flavor.
    • Vanilla Extract - enhances all the flavors in baked goods much like salt does to savory recipe. Forgetting to add that warm vanilla flavor will leave the cookies tasting flat.
    • Flour - holds all the ingredients together.
    • Cornstarch - helps create a more tender, lighter cookie. It reduces the gluten in cookies, much the same way as pastry flour does, and you'll be amazed at the results.
    • Baking Powder - helps this cookie to rise
    • Salt - enhances the flavor, bringing out the zesty lime.
    • Key Limes - make a big bold difference in these cookies. They have more tangy flavor that Persian limes and give the cookies a more citrusy taste. If you can't find fresh key limes, use key lime juice. I like Nellie & Joes Key West Key Lime Juice. Find more info about he difference between Persian limes and Key Limes in my Key Lime Pie post.
    • Key Lime Zest - don't skip this ingredient! The zest adds a big punch of flavor to the batter. If you can't find key limes, add persian lime zest as an alternative.

    Pro Tip: To try cornstarch in other cookies (it makes chocolate chip cookies even more incredible) just remove 2 Tablespoons of flour for each cup in the recipe and add 2 Tablespoons of cornstarch instead.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What else can I use if I can't find key limes?

    Always try to use fresh for the best flavor but if you can't find key limes use a bottled key lime juice like Nellie & Joes. If that is unavailable, you can use ½ Persian lime juice with ½ lemon juice to give the tart flavor a boost.

    How long will these cookies last?

    They will keep about 2 weeks in an airtight container on the counter. Of course, don't be surprised if they disappear way before that!

    Why did my cookies come out dry?

    They were probably overbaked. You want to take them out of the oven before they start to turn brown. They will still be very white in color but 16 minutes is plenty of time for them to bake.

    How are these Key Lime Cookies different than Key Lime Shortbread Cookies and Key Lime Sugar Cookies?

    Shortbread cookies have no leavening or eggs and are a much denser, more buttery cookie. On the other hand, sugar cookies are lighter, crisper cookies with a higher ratio of flour to fat.

    Why add cornstarch to cookie dough?

    Cornstarch helps to create a more tender, lighter cookie. It reduces the gluten in cookies, much the same way as pastry flour does. The results will amaze you!

    Closeup of cookies on wooden table with cookie tin and limes.

    Variations

    • Lime Basil Cookies - Add 4 teaspoons of basil to the cookie dough and cook as directed. The basil imparts a nice herbal flavor that complements the zesty key lime.
    • Key Lime White Chocolate Cookies - If you love chocolate, go ahead and add ¾ cup of white chocolate chips to the dough. It makes these buttery cookies even more indulgent. Or melt it and just drizzle it on the top!
    • Love even more lime flavor? Add a lime glaze by mixing ¾ cup powdered sugar with 3 Tablespoons of key lime juice. Drizzle on cooled cookies then sprinkle a little extra zest on top.
    • Love any citrus flavored cookies? Try this same recipe by replacing the key lime juice and zest with either lemons or oranges.
    • Key Lime Coconut Cookies - make this lime cookie recipe even more tropical by adding ½ cup coconut to dough.

    How to Make Key Lime Cooler Cookies

    Key Lime Coolers ingredients.

    Gather the ingredients. Make sure the butter is at room temperature for easier whipping.

    Steps 1-6 to make cookie dough.
    1. In a large bowl, beat butter with granulated sugar and 1 cup of powdered sugar until it is light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Take note that you can also add the 4 teaspoons of lime zest to this step to ensure it is more evenly distributed.
    2. Continue beating while adding eggs and vanilla extract.
    3. Combine the dry ingredients, flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt, in a medium bowl.
    4. Beat the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture with the mixer on a low speed.
    5. Alternate with the key lime juice and 4 teaspoons of lime zest (if you have not already added it).
    6. The cookie dough batter is ready for scooping onto the cookie sheets.
    Scoops of lime cookies on a cookie sheet with scooper, zester and limes around it.
    1. Scoop dough onto cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake.
    Mixing lime zest into powdered sugar.
    1. While cookies are baking, in a large plastic bag, mix remaining lime zest into powdered sugar.
    Baked cookies on cookie sheet.
    1. Let baked cookies cool on cookie sheet for about 3 minutes.
    Tossing cookies into lime powdered sugar.
    1. Place a few warm cookies into lime powdered sugar.
    2. Toss to coat then carefully remove and place on wire racks to cool.
    Sugar coated cookies on wire rack.

    Now, about 35 minutes later, it's time to scarf down some of the best key lime cookies you've ever tasted!

    Stack of cookies closeup on wooden table.

    Just look at those little beauties with bits of lime zest peeking out from amongst the snowy sugar coating. This Key Lime Cookies recipe produces such light, tender, and delicious cookies that they will disappear before you know it.

    And don't think these lime cookies are just for summer! They're a fantastic addition to cookie tins at Christmas too. And always a welcome change from all the seasonal chocolate and peppermint. And who wouldn't want to dream of warm, sunny weather in the middle of winter?! Enjoy!

    More Key Lime Recipes

    Chocolate Covered Key Lime Bites are like bite-sized pieces of key lime pie covered in rich chocolate. Perfect for a summer treat.

    Key Lime Brownies are fudgy brownies swirled with moist key lime cheesecake filling then topped with cream cheese frosting. A definite must for all brownie and cheesecake fans!

    Key Lime Pie Popsicles from Easy & Delish are fun to make healthy and delicious popsicles that taste like key lime pie on a stick.

    Key Lime Pudding Cake is a creamy, sweet dessert that magically bakes into two separate layers, a light airy sponge cake on top and a tangy custardy pudding underneath.

    Find lots of easy cookie recipes here on 2CM!

    Closeup of stacked cookies on wooden table.

    Key Lime Cookies

    These Key Lime Cookies are easy to make with the perfect sweet-tart flavor combination. Soft, buttery cookies that taste like fresh key limes and dusted with just a light coating of sugar are the perfect snack and after-school treat.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 16 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 36 minutes minutes
    Servings: 42 cookies
    Calories: 107kcal
    Author: Linda Warren

    Ingredients

    • ¾ cup butter, room temperature
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • 2 cups powdered sugar, divided
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 2 ⅝ cups all-purpose flour (2-½ cups + 2 Tablespoons)
    • ⅜ cup cornstarch (¼ cup + 2 Tablespoons)
    • 1 Tablespoon baking powder
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ cup key lime juice (I used Nellie & Joe's Key West Lime Juice)
    • 6 teaspoons lime zest, finely grated, divided

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line 3 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
    • In a large bowl of your electric mixer, beat butter with granulated sugar and 1 cup powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
    • Continue to beat while adding eggs and extracts.
    • In a medium bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt.
    • Add to the butter-sugar mixture, alternately with key lime juice and 4 teaspoons of zest, at low speed until well mixed.
    • Using a tablespoon or a small cookie scoop, place cookie balls 1" apart on prepared baking sheets.
    • Bake for 16 minutes or until the bottoms are just starting to turn a light brown. DO NOT OVERBAKE!
    • While cookies are baking, mix 1 cup powdered sugar with the remaining 2 teaspoons lime zest in a large gallon-sized plastic bag. Rub the two together to impart some of the key lime flavor to the sugar.
    • Remove cookies from the oven and let cool about 3-4 minutes on baking sheets. Remove carefully then place several at a time in the plastic bag containing powdered sugar mixture and gently toss. Shake excess off then place on wire racks and allow to cool completely.
    • Store in airtight container.

    Notes

    Variations
    • Add 4 teaspoons of basil to the cookie dough and cook as directed. The basil imparts a nice herbal flavor that complements the zesty key lime.
    • Love chocolate? Go ahead and add ¾ cup of white chocolate chips to the batter. It makes these buttery cookies even more indulgent. Or just drizzle it on the top!
    • Love even more lime flavor? Add a lime glaze by mixing ¾ cup powdered sugar with 3 Tablespoons of key lime juice. Drizzle on cooled cookies then sprinkle a little extra zest on top.
    • Love any citrus-flavored cookies? Try this same recipe replacing the lime juice and zest with either lemons or oranges.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 107kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 46mg | Potassium: 44mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 114IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg

    This post has been updated with step-by-step instructions and new photos. It was first published on August 18, 2015.

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    Hey, I’m Linda, the recipe creator, photographer and cocktail lover at 2 Cookin Mamas. Here you’ll find easy recipes that are not only delicious but can get you out of the kitchen ASAP. Come and join me and let me take you on a tasty trip through your kitchen. Thanks for stopping by! Learn more about me

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