Description
These Key Lime Cookies combine the tangy brightness of fresh key lime juice and zest with a soft, buttery cookie base. Perfectly balanced with a dusting of powdered sugar, they offer a delightful citrus twist on classic cookies that are light, flavorful, and easy to make.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon key lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- Zest of 2 key limes
Topping
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, taking about 2-3 minutes to create a smooth base.
- Add wet flavorings: Incorporate the egg, vanilla extract, freshly squeezed key lime juice, and key lime zest into the butter mixture, beating until everything is fully combined for a fragrant, citrusy blend.
- Combine dry and wet ingredients: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined to avoid overworking the dough, which can make the cookies tough.
- Form the cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each to allow spreading during baking.
- Bake the cookies: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. The edges should turn slightly golden while the centers remain soft and tender.
- Cool the cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Finish with powdered sugar: Once the cookies have cooled, dust them lightly with powdered sugar to add a touch of sweetness and a beautiful finishing look.
Notes
- For a stronger lime flavor, increase the key lime zest but avoid adding extra juice to keep the dough from becoming too wet.
- Ensure the butter is softened, not melted, for the best texture and consistency in the dough.
- Cookies will keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.
- Use fresh key limes or bottled key lime juice if fresh ones are unavailable, but fresh juice and zest yield the best flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
