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    Home » Desserts » Cookies » Key Lime White Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Key Lime White Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Published: Jul 12, 2023 by Linda Warren

    Jump to Recipe

    These delicious Key Lime White Chocolate Chip Cookies create the perfect balance between sweet, salty, and tangy. Buttery soft cookies have a surprisingly tart key lime twist with a hint of coconut and are filled with sweet white chocolate chips and plenty of salty, crunchy macadamia nuts. A true tropical summer treat.

    Stacked key lime white chocolate cookies next to milk bottle.

    Table of Contents

    • Why You'll Love These White Chocolate Key Lime Cookies
    • What is the difference between lime and key lime?
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Key Lime White Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Recipe Tips
    • Flavor Variations
    • Glazed, Frosted, or Sandwich Cookies
    • Make Ahead Dough
    • How to Store and Freeze
    • More Summer Desserts

    Why You'll Love These White Chocolate Key Lime Cookies

    These delicious key lime cookies will make you think of tropical islands complete with the flavors of key lime and coconut.

    Decadently rich with chunks of white chocolate and crunchy macadamia nuts.

    Buttery soft cookies flavored with white chocolate will just melt in your mouth.

    Holding white chocolate chip cookie over counter.

    What is the difference between lime and key lime?

    If you've never seen a key lime, they are much smaller than a regular Persian lime, about the size of a golf ball. Key limes have a stronger, more aromatic flavor and are a bit more tart. Oh, and utterly delicious! So let's hear it for key limes!

    If you love the zesty flavor of these little beauties, you'll have to try my Key Lime Cake, Key Lime Smoothie, Key Lime Colada, and Key Lime Bread.

    Ingredients

    Here's a handy list of what you'll need for making white chocolate chip cookies. Full info and exact measurements are in the recipe card below.

    Ingredients for coconut white chocolate cookies.
    • All-purpose flour
    • Baking soda
    • Baking powder
    • Salt
    • Unsalted butter
    • Shortening
    • Brown sugar
    • White granulated sugar
    • Vanilla extract
    • Key limes for the juice and zest
    • Egg
    • White chocolate - bars for chunks or chips
    • Sweetened coconut flakes
    • Macadamia nuts

    How to Make Key Lime White Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Steps 1-6 to make macadamia white chocolate chip cookies.
    1. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
    2. Place butter, shortening, sugars and vanilla extract in the bowl of an electric mixer. Add key lime juice.
    3. Beat until smooth and well combined. Continue beating while adding egg and lime zest.
    4. Beat until mixed.
    5. Slowly add flour with mixer at lower speed.
    6. Mix until all is combined.
    Steps to finish making cookie dough.
    1. Place white chocolate and 1 teaspoon of shortening in a microwave-safe bowl.
    2. Melt in the microwave on high in 30-second increments, stirring in between until melted and smooth.
    3. Pour into cookie dough.
    4. Blend.
    5. Add chopped macadamia nuts, white chocolate chunks or chips, and coconut.
    6. Stir until evenly distributed.
    Unbaked and baked white chocolate chip cookies on cookie sheet.
    1. Using a small cookie scoop, scoop dough onto cookie sheets. I like to form a ball with my hand so the cookies come out more uniform.
    2. Bake in a 375°F oven for 9-111 minutes or until they just start to brown around the edges. They should be a nice light brown color.
    Closeup of stack of cookies.

    Let cool on cookie sheets for about 10 minutes then place on wire racks to cool completely. Store in an airtight container. They will keep for about 1 week on the counter although they disappear long before that!

    Recipe Tips

    • When zesting limes, only zest the outer green layer. The white pith under it is bitter.
    • Use your fingers to rub the key lime zest into the white granulated sugar to release the oils and give the cookies extra flavor.
    • Have all the ingredients at room temperature.
    • If key limes are not available, you can use regular limes instead.
    • Don't overmix the dough which can lead to tough cookies.
    • Use a cookie scoop to ensure the cookies are the same size.
    • Be careful not to overbake the cookies. They should be just golden around the edges.

    Flavor Variations

    • Extra Flavoring - Add ½ teaspoon of key lime extract.
    • Lemon Lime - Substitute half of the lime zest and juice with lemon zest and juice.
    • Orange - Substitute the key lime with orange.
    • Nuts - Substitute the macadamia nuts with almonds, pecans, or walnuts.

    Glazed, Frosted, or Sandwich Cookies

    Glazed Cookies - Make key lime glaze and drizzle it over the cookies. To make the glaze, combine 1 cup of powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon of key lime zest, and 2 to 3 tablespoons of key lime juice (just enough juice for a thick consistency).

    Frosted Cookies - Make key lime white chocolate buttercream frosting and spread it on top of the cookies. Sprinkle coconut flakes and finely chopped macadamia nuts on top. To make the frosting, use a mixer to combine ½ cup of softened butter, ½ teaspoon key lime zest, 2½ cups of powdered sugar, and 2 tablespoons of key lime juice.

    Sandwich Cookies - Make key lime white chocolate buttercream frosting and use it to sandwich 2 cookies together.

    Make Ahead Dough

    You can make the dough in advance and freeze it. Instead of baking the cookies, put the cookie sheet with the dough balls in the freezer until frozen. Transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe container or plastic freezer bag. Freeze the dough for up to 3 months. You can thaw it in the fridge overnight or bake the frozen dough.

    When ready to bake the cookies, simply bake as directed. Add a minute or two if baking frozen dough.

    How to Store and Freeze

    Storing: Allow the cookies to cool then transfer them to an airtight container or plastic ziptop bag. Store the cookies at room temperature for up to 6-7 days or in the refrigerator for up to 8-10 days.

    Freezing: Allow the cookies to cool then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or plastic freezer bag. Freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature.

    More Summer Desserts

    Key Lime Pudding Cake

    No Bake Peach Cheesecake

    Pineapple Upside Down Rum Cake

    Lemon Brownies

    Find lots of easy recipes for cookies right here on 2CM!

    LOVE QUICK & EASY RECIPES? FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, & PINTEREST FOR ALL THE LATEST RECIPE INSPIRATION! PLUS JOIN MY EMAIL LIST AND RECEIVE A FREE E-BOOK. 

    Closeup of stack of cookies.

    Key Lime White Chocolate Chip Cookies

    These key lime cookies have a refreshing hint of lime & are chock full of white chocolate, coconut and macadamia nuts. The perfect tropical cookie get-away!
    No ratings yet
    Print Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 9 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 29 minutes minutes
    Servings: 48 cookies
    Calories: 138kcal
    Author: Linda Warren

    Ingredients

    • 1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
    • ¾ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ⅜ cup butter
    • ⅜ cup + 1 teaspoon shortening, divided
    • ⅔ cup brown sugar
    • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 Tablespoon + 2 teaspoons key lime juice
    • 1 egg
    • 1 ½ teaspoons key lime zest
    • 12 oz white chocolate, divided & coarsely chopped (bars work better than chips)
    • 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
    • 7 oz can or 1-½ cups macadamia nuts, coarsely chopped

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
    • In a medium bowl, mix all dry ingredients together (flour - salt).
    • Using your electric mixer, cream butter, ⅜ cup shortening, sugars, vanilla and key lime juice together until smooth and well combined.
    • Continue beating while you add in egg and zest.
    • Turn mixer lower and slowly add in dry ingredients. Mixing in thoroughly.
    • Melt 4-oz of white chocolate with 1 teaspoon shortening in a microwave safe bowl. Heat in 30-second increments, stirring in-between, until smooth.
    • Add melted chocolate to batter and blend.
    • Remove bowl from mixer and stir in white chocolate chunks, coconut and macadamia nuts.
    • Using a small cookie scoop, scoop our dough, roll into ball with hands, and place on ungreased cookie sheets.
    • Bake for 9-11 minutes or until cookie starts to brown around the outside edges. If you like a little crisper cookie, bake for the longer time.
    • Let cool on cookie sheets for 10-15 minutes then remove with spatula and place on wire racks to finish cooling.

    Notes

    STORING/FREEZING
    Storing: Allow the cookies to cool then transfer them to an airtight container or plastic ziptop bag. Store the cookies at room temperature for up to 6-7 days or in the refrigerator for up to 8-10 days.
    Freezing: Allow the cookies to cool then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or plastic freezer bag. Freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 138kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 67mg | Potassium: 58mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 52IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 0.5mg

    This post has been updated with new photos, more tips and tricks, and step-by-step directions to help you make the best cookies possible. It was first published on February 15, 2016.

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    Comments

    1. Laura T (@TheSpicedLife) says

      March 01, 2016 at 10:33 pm

      Great minds think alike! I love lime + coconut + white chocolate! Great job!

      Reply
      • Linda Warren says

        March 02, 2016 at 8:37 pm

        I love the way you think Laura! I mean who doesn't love lime, coconut and chocolate?!

        Reply
    2. Felice says

      February 20, 2016 at 4:20 pm

      I really need to get a key lime tree. Your cookies look amazing and I love the idea of the tart lime and sweet white chocolate together.

      Reply
      • Linda Warren says

        February 20, 2016 at 4:29 pm

        They're a great fruit tree to have in the yard. And they don't get too big either. I like to use them to flavor water, margaritas and, of course, key lime pie.

        Reply
    3. Anne says

      February 20, 2016 at 10:21 am

      I am jealous that you are heading to the Keys next month! These sound delicious, and I don't think I have ever combined lime and chocolate together.

      Reply
      • Linda Warren says

        February 20, 2016 at 4:27 pm

        The Keys are our favorite place to go and they certainly know how to do key lime. If you ever get down there you just have to try their key lime pie on a stick - just think a slice of key lime pie all covered in chocolate. It's to-die for!

        Reply
    4. marilyn1998 says

      February 17, 2016 at 1:24 pm

      These cookies are so unique I love them! Thanks for sharing at #overthmoon! Please visit Wonderful Wednesday if you are in the neighborhood! Have a great week.

      Reply
      • Linda Warren says

        February 17, 2016 at 2:06 pm

        Thanks Marilyn! I'll check out Wonderful Wednesday too.

        Reply
    5. Karen @ Karen's Kitchen Stories says

      February 17, 2016 at 2:13 am

      Great cookies! Love that the live comes from your back yard!

      Reply
    6. Stacy says

      February 17, 2016 at 1:07 am

      Great cookies, Linda! I often find white chocolate just too sweet for me so it's great to balance it with the tart lime. Researching recipes for this month's Creative Cookie Exchange, I actually googled Calgon cookies, just for fun. And, sure enough, someone had named one recipe that, no soap included. 🙂

      Reply
    7. Holly says

      February 16, 2016 at 3:47 pm

      Oh l would love a fruit tree in my backyard! What a good choice to bake with your key limes

      Reply
      • Linda Warren says

        February 16, 2016 at 4:24 pm

        I love having fruit trees in our yard. My husband always looks forward to anything I make with them. I guess he liked these cookies too since they were scarfed down in no time!

        Reply
    8. akshatha says

      February 16, 2016 at 12:47 pm

      The cookies sound delicious! And so tropical!! Although i was completely distracted by those beautiful orchids !!!

      Reply
      • Linda Warren says

        February 16, 2016 at 4:19 pm

        Thanks! I love growing my orchids and, this time of year, they are all blooming. And they seemed like the perfect accompaniment to our tropical theme. 🙂

        Reply
    9. Faye says

      February 16, 2016 at 9:55 am

      Yummy! Great flavor combo

      Reply
    10. Renee Dobbs says

      February 16, 2016 at 6:19 am

      A key lime tree in your back yard? Lucky you! Just the other day I saw key limes at the store and almost bought them. Now I see something to make with them other than pie or ice cream.

      Reply
      • Linda Warren says

        February 16, 2016 at 4:18 pm

        They go great in a Key Lime Colada too! Come on down!

        Reply

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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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