A tart and tangy treat that’s hard to beat!
I love key lime. This is probably because I grew up near the actual Florida Keys, so key lime from the Keys was readily available to me. Key lime pie is, of course, the favorite. But sometimes you don’t want a whole pie. Sometimes you want something easier. Something like… cookies! Cookies you can make and store easily and snack on whenever the fancy strikes you.
Key limes are a special variety of very tart lime. It’s believed they originated in Southeast Asia and migrated along with Spanish conquistadors, but were eventually named after the Florida Keys, where they were grown in abundance due to the welcoming subtropical climate. Despite the name, they can be found in all sorts of similar regions, including Central America and the Middle East.
Cookies are kind of a necessity in my house. My kids love a little treat after a meal, so having something easy and quick on hand in a cookie jar is much better than having to plan any sort of dessert—plus, I have control over how big the cookies get! There are classic chocolate chip cookies, of course, but I like to shake things up sometimes. And that’s why these key lime cookies are so amazing; they give you a tart and tasty alternative to more traditional cookies!
Bright and Tasty Cookies
What’s awesome about key lime cookies is how light and fresh they feel when you eat them. Cookies can be a heavy treat sometimes, saturated with butter and other filling ingredients. The key lime taste is a spritz of brightness on your tongue that is a hit with every bite! I would almost say they serve as a nice palate cleanser. Perhaps you could put them out after a flavorful meal but before a more substantial dessert.
How Do I Store Key Lime Cookies?
You can keep the cookies in an airtight container for about a week on a countertop, though by the middle of the week they may start to get a bit dried out. You can also keep them in the fridge and eat them chilled!
Serving Suggestions
You don’t need much to enjoy a key lime cookie if I’m being honest with you! It’s an easy dessert or snack, something fun to bring to a potluck. If you like, you can serve it with a bit of Homemade Whipped Cream to balance out the tartness.
For more key-lime-inspired desserts, take a look at this Key Lime Cheesecake, this No-Bake Key Lime Pie and this elegant Key Lime Sponge Cake.
Key Lime Cookies
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon key lime zest
- 3 tablespoons key lime juice
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 1 tablespoon key lime juice (for glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg, followed by the key lime zest and juice, mixing until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Drop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar and key lime juice until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cookies.
Our whole family loved these! A great combo of tangy and sweet.
Thanks so much Devon!