Description
Delight in these tangy and sweet Key Lime Cookies, perfectly crisp on the edges with a soft, chewy center. Infused with fresh key lime juice and zest, these cookies offer a refreshing twist on a classic sugar cookie, ideal for any occasion or a bright summer treat.
Ingredients
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 Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). 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 ensure even distribution of 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, about 2-3 minutes, which helps incorporate air for a tender cookie.
- Add Wet Flavorings: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, fresh key lime juice, and lime zest into the butter mixture until fully blended, imparting the signature citrus flavor.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough which can result in tough cookies.
- Portion Dough: Using a tablespoon measure, scoop portions of the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges start to turn golden while the centers remain soft and slightly underbaked for a chewy texture.
- Cool on Sheet: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Dust with Powdered Sugar: Once fully cooled, dust the cookies with powdered sugar to add a delicate sweetness and decorative finish.
Notes
- Use freshly squeezed key lime juice and zest for the best and most vibrant lime flavor.
- The cookies will be soft when removed from the oven; letting them cool on the baking sheet helps them set without becoming hard.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- For a stronger lime flavor, you can add a bit more zest or a slight extra tablespoon of juice.
- If key limes are unavailable, regular limes can be substituted but the flavor will be less distinctive.
