Key Lime Cookies are a sweet treat that you can enjoy any time of year. Chewy cookies infused with a sweet and tart key lime flavor, these will easily become a new favorite!

Key Lime Cookies Recipe

Citrus desserts are some of the most mouth-watering treats out there and these Key Lime Cookies live up to that hype! With a perfect combination of tangy and tart in a chewy sugar cookie, these will easily become some of your new favorite cookies. 

Because of the amount of lime goodness in these tasty treats, you may think of them as key lime pie cookies. While we’re all familiar with various lemon cookies, you don’t see a lot of lime confections outside of the pie, so it would be natural to compare. And they do!

These are full of citrus flavor, so if you would prefer a hint of flavor rather than a cookie bursting with flavor, use a little less juice and a little less zest. 

Don’t let the recipe intimidate you! There are several steps, but this is an easy key lime cookie recipe that uses basic ingredients that anyone can get. You’re going to love them!

Recipe Notes:

• To ensure the best flavor, use fresh key limes for your zest and juice.
• Be sure to rub the lime zest into the sugar with your fingertips and reserve some of the mixture to dip your cookie dough balls into. 
• While making the dough, avoid overmixing as it can result in tough cookies. Mix just until everything is incorporated well.
• Refrigerating the dough is important as it will keep the cookie form from spreading too much while baking.
• You will need several large baking sheets if you want to bake all of the cookies at the same time. 
• Let the cookies cool completely before serving or storing. They may be delicate when warm and cooler cookies will allow the tart flavor to shine through.

How To Make Key Lime Cookies

Key Lime Cookies Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
Key lime zest from 2-3 limes
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 tablespoons plain yogurt
4 teaspoons key lime juice

Supplies Needed:

Large cookie sheet
Parchment paper or wax paper
Large mixing bowl
Medium mixing bowl
Small bowl
Small grater or citrus zester
Hand mixer or stand mixer
Wooden spoon or kitchen spoon
Plastic wrap or cling wrap
Large round cookie cutter (optional)
Cooling rack (optional)

Directions:

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the white sugar and lime zest. Using your fingertips, rub the zest into the sugar to release its flavor.

Step 2: Reserve 1/4th of the mixture in a small bowl for coating the cookies before and after baking. Set this bowl aside. 

Step 3: In a separate medium bowl, add your flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir well to combine the dry ingredients and set them aside. 

Step 4: Add the softened butter, yogurt, and lime juice to the large bowl with the sugar lime zest. Beat this mixture using an electric mixer until it is well combined and turns creamy.

Step 5: Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet mixture and gently fold it in until it starts forming a dough.

Step 6: Cover your cookie dough and refrigerate it for at least half an hour.

Step 7: Once that time has passed, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking tray with parchment paper. 

Step 8: Using a small cookie scoop or a tablespoon, scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball. Once it is round, roll the ball into the reserved sugar zest mixture.

Place it on the prepared baking sheet and repeat this with the rest of your cookie dough, setting the dough balls about 2 inches apart. 

Step 9: Bake them in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes.

Optional Step: As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, use a large round cookie cutter, slightly larger than the cookies, and swirl it around the cookies to give them a nice round shape.

Step 10: Sprinkle a little bit of the sugar-lime mixture on top of the cookies for extra zesty flavor.

Step 11: Allow them to cool completely on the hot baking sheet or a wire rack and enjoy!

How To Store Leftover Key Lime Cookies

Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days at room temperature. 

Can I Freeze Key Lime Cookies?

Yes! Allow the cookies to cool completely and layer them in a freezer-safe bag or freezer-safe container. Place a sheet of wax paper between layers and store for up to 3 months for best results. 

Can I Add A Key Lime Glaze To These Cookies?

Yes! For an extra touch of citrus flavor, you can add a quick lime glaze. Mix some powdered sugar and key lime juice in a small bowl. Taste test to make sure it is at the tartness you’d like. 

Making sure that each cookie has completely cooled, add a bit of glaze to the top of the cookie. Repeat this with each of your cookies or glaze half and leave the other half unglazed. 

Can I Use Regular Limes Instead Of Key Limes For These Cookies?

If you can’t find key limes at your grocery stores, use regular limes in place of key limes. Regular Persian limes or Mexican limes would be the next best thing. 

While you can still use 4 teaspoons of regular lime juice, you should only use regular lime zest from approximately 1 1/2 limes.

You will still get the tangy lime flavor you are looking for, but since key limes have a bolder taste, you may want to taste test in case you’d like to add a bit more juice to the mixture. 

Can I Make These Delicious Cookies Dairy-Free? 

Yes! You should easily be able to replace the unsalted butter with unsalted dairy-free butter or margarine and use dairy-free plain yogurt with a coconut milk or soy base in place of the plain yogurt. 

Are You Looking For More Delicious Desserts? Here Are Some Of My Favorites:

• Easy Chocolate Scotcharoos
• S’mores Frappuccino Recipe
• Blackberry Cheesecake Egg Rolls
• No-Bake Gingersnap Cheesecake Cups
• Hot Chocolate Cookies With Chocolate Marshmallow Glaze

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Yield: 18 Key Lime Cookies

Key Lime Cookies (From Scratch!)

Print

Key Lime Cookies are a sweet treat that you can enjoy any time of year. Chewy cookies infused with a sweet and tart key lime flavor, these will easily become a new favorite!

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Additional Time 30 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• Key lime zest from 2-3 limes
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, unsalted, softened
• 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
• 4 teaspoons key lime juice

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the white sugar and lime zest. Using your fingertips, rub the zest into the sugar to release its flavor.
2. Reserve 1/4th of the mixture in a small bowl for coating the cookies before and after baking. Set this bowl aside. 
3. In a separate medium bowl, add your flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir well to combine and set it aside. 
4. Add the softened butter, yogurt, and lime juice to the large bowl with the sugar lime zest. Beat this mixture using an electric mixer until it is well combined and turns creamy.
5. Slowly add your dry mixture to this wet mixture and gently fold it in until it starts forming a dough.
6. Cover your cookie dough and refrigerate it for at least half an hour.
7. Once that time has passed, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 
8. Using a small cookie scoop or a tablespoon, scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball. Once it is round, roll the ball into the reserved sugar zest mixture. Place it on the prepared baking sheet and repeat this with the rest of your cookie dough, setting the dough balls about 2 inches apart. 
9. Bake them in the preheated oven for 10-12 mins.
10. Optional Step: As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, use a large round cookie cutter, slightly larger than the cookies, and swirl it around the cookies to give them a nice round shape.
11. Sprinkle a little bit of the sugar-lime mixture on top of the cookies for extra zesty flavor.
12. Allow them to cool completely on the baking tray or a wire rack and enjoy!

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  Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowl Set (3-Piece Set, Nesting, Microwave and Dishwasher Safe)
• 
  ALLTOP Lemon Zester, Hand-held Stainless Steel Food Grater,Pro Kitchen Tool for Cheese Parmesan Vegetable Ginger Garlic Nutmeg Citrus Lime Orange Chocolate Fruit - Fine Shredder

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

18

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 142Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 63mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 1gSugar: 14gProtein: 1g

This calculation is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a doctor or dietitian. This calculator is a guide, but makes no guarantee of being exact or fully accurate.