Description
These Key Lime Cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with bright citrus flavor. Featuring a tender cookie base infused with key lime zest and topped with a tangy key lime glaze, they offer a perfect balance of sweetness and zing. Easy to prepare and baked to perfection, these cookies are ideal for summertime treats or any occasion that calls for a refreshing dessert.
Ingredients
Cookies:
- ½ cup unsalted butter (113g), softened to room temperature
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- ¾ cup sugar (150g)
- ¼ cup light brown sugar (50g)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2-3 tsp key lime zest
- 1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour (219g)
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
Key Lime Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 Tbsp key lime juice
- 1-2 Tbsp milk
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp key lime zest
- Pinch of salt (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Mix Dry Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a larger mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat the mixture for 1-2 minutes until it turns light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the creamed butter mixture. Beat until fully combined, then stir in the key lime zest.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add about one-third of the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined. Gradually add the remaining flour mixture, mixing only until a dough forms to avoid overworking the batter.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into smooth 1 ½ inch balls. Place them evenly spaced on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes. The cookies should remain pale with edges barely set. Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Key Lime Glaze: In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, key lime juice, milk, vanilla extract, key lime zest, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk or powdered sugar as needed for a thick but spreadable glaze.
- Glaze Cookies: Once cookies are completely cooled, either dip them into the glaze or spread the glaze over the tops with a knife. Allow the glaze to set completely before serving.
- Storage: Store any remaining cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 4-5 days to maintain freshness.
Notes
- When doubling or tripling the recipe, manually multiply the ingredient quantities as the grams may not scale automatically.
- Ensure butter is properly softened — it should be firm but yield a slight impression when pressed. This is key to achieving the ideal cookie texture.
- Do not overbake the cookies. They may look slightly underbaked and pale around the edges when done; this ensures they stay soft and chewy.
- Rolling the dough into smooth balls rather than using a cookie scoop results in a prettier, more uniform appearance but doesn’t affect flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
