Name: Key Lime Cookies with Lime Glaze Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 9 min
Total time: 19 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup Challenge Salted Butter, softened; ¾ cup sugar; 1 large egg; Zest of 2 key limes; 2 cups all purpose flour; ½ tsp baking powder; ½ tsp salt; 1½ cups powdered sugar; 2 tbsp key lime juice; 1 tbsp heavy cream (or milk); ⅛ tsp salt

Jump to Recipe· 4.2 from 40 reviews

If you love that perfect balance of sweet and tangy with a refreshing citrus twist, then this Key Lime Cookies with Lime Glaze Recipe is about to become your new favorite treat. These cookies deliver everything you want from a dessert: crisp edges with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth center, all bursting with the bright flavors of fresh key limes. Topped with a smooth, zesty lime glaze, they’re a delightful way to bring a little sunshine into your baking routine. Whether for a casual snack or a crowd-pleasing dessert, these cookies shine with their vibrant lime personality and simple, heartfelt ingredients.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows ingredients on a white marbled surface with a large glass bowl filled with white flour in the back left, next to a smaller glass bowl with green limes and a white egg. In the front left, there is a medium glass bowl with white powdered sugar, next to a stick of pale yellow butter resting on its paper wrapper. Around these are four small glass bowls containing white granulated sugar, white baking powder, white cream, and a clear liquid, all spaced evenly. The overall setting is bright and clean, with clear glass bowls and fresh ingredients placed neatly. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Getting ready to make these Key Lime Cookies with Lime Glaze Recipe means gathering some straightforward ingredients that each play a key role in the final outcome. You’ll find these basics transform into a cookie with the perfect texture, flavor brightness, and a luscious glaze that ties it all together.

Challenge Salted Butter (1 cup, softened): This butter adds a rich, creamy base and helps the dough come together with a lovely tenderness.
Sugar (¾ cup): Sweetness is essential and this amount strikes a great balance to highlight the lime without overpowering.
Egg (1 large): Binds the cookies and contributes to their soft interior texture.
Key limes (2, zest only): The star of the recipe, providing fresh, aromatic citrus oils that brighten every bite.
All-purpose flour (2 cups): Gives structure to the cookies, ensuring just the right firmness.
Baking powder (½ tsp): Helps the cookies rise slightly for a light, tender crumb.
Salt (½ tsp): Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
Powdered sugar (1½ cups): The foundation for a smooth, sweet lime glaze with just the right dusting of sweetness.
Key lime juice (2 tbsp): Adds tartness and vivid lime flavor that makes the glaze so special.
Heavy cream (1 tbsp) or milk: Creates a silky texture in the glaze, perfect for dipping.
Salt (⅛ tsp, for glaze): Just a pinch to balance the glaze’s sweetness and highlight the lime’s brightness.

How to Make Key Lime Cookies with Lime Glaze Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Start by softening the butter so you can easily whip it together with the sugar in a large bowl. This airiness is what creates the soft, chewy texture we’re after. Once fluffy, beat in the egg until fully combined, then stir in the fragrant key lime zest. The zest releases oils that infuse your batter with fresh lime essence, making it impossible not to smile as you mix.

Step 2: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients Gradually

Add half a cup of the flour along with baking powder and salt to the buttery mixture and stir well. This gradual addition helps keep the dough light and ensures an even mix. Continue adding the rest of the flour in half-cup increments until the dough forms a cohesive ball. The dough will be soft yet firm enough to shape, the perfect canvas for these delightful cookies.

Step 3: Shape the Dough

Using a small cookie scoop or a tablespoon, measure out dough portions, roll them into balls in your hands, then gently flatten them to about half an inch thickness. Placing each cookie onto a parchment-lined baking sheet keeps cleanup simple and helps the cookies bake evenly without sticking.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Pop the cookies into a preheated 375˚F oven and bake for 8 to 9 minutes. Watch for the centers to be just set—they won’t brown much, so don’t rely on color alone! This subtle look is part of the cookie’s charm, keeping them tender and pale like little bites of summer. Once out, give them a couple of minutes on the sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 5: Prepare the Lime Glaze

While the cookies cool, whisk together powdered sugar, key lime juice, a touch of salt, and heavy cream or milk until your glaze becomes smooth and pourable. This glaze isn’t just a topping but a shining crown of tart, sweet goodness that sets your cookies apart.

Step 6: Glaze the Cookies

When the cookies are cool, dip the tops into the lime glaze by turning the cookie upside down to get a clean coating. Lift gently and turn them back over, letting the glaze settle on top as it dries. This step adds a delightful zesty punch that perfectly complements the soft cookie base.

How to Serve Key Lime Cookies with Lime Glaze Recipe

A stack of four soft, pale yellow cookies with a smooth white glaze dripping gently down the sides sits on a silver cooling rack over a white marbled surface. The top cookie has a bite taken out, showing a crumbly, light texture inside. Small green zest flecks are sprinkled on the glaze, adding a fresh touch. In the blurred background, more of these round cookies rest on the rack. The overall feel is bright, soft, and clean. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

A sprinkle of finely grated lime zest or a tiny pinch of coarse sea salt on the glaze can elevate these cookies visually and flavor-wise. These simple touches highlight the citrus flavor even more and add a subtle texture crunch that’s pure joy.

Side Dishes

Serve these Key Lime Cookies with a refreshing iced herbal tea or a glass of chilled coconut water for a tropical-inspired snack. They also make a stunning accompaniment to light desserts like lemon sorbet or yogurt parfaits.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange the cookies on a vibrant platter lined with fresh mint leaves or tiny edible flowers for a festive look. You can also sandwich two cookies together with a dollop of lime-flavored cream cheese frosting for a twist that will impress guests at your next gathering.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you manage to have any leftovers, store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. The glaze will stay deliciously soft, and the cookies remain tender and flavorful.

Freezing

You can freeze the unglazed cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw them completely and prepare the lime glaze fresh for dipping to keep that bright zing intact.

Reheating

Gentle warming in a low oven for a few minutes can soften the cookie if desired, but keep in mind the lime glaze might become a bit more delicate with heat. Room temperature is usually best to enjoy the full texture and flavor experience.

FAQs

Can I use regular limes instead of key limes?

Absolutely! Regular limes will work well, though key limes have a slightly unique, more floral tartness that adds a special dimension to this Key Lime Cookies with Lime Glaze Recipe. If you can get key limes, they’re worth it, but regular limes are a great substitute.

Is it necessary to use salted butter?

Salted butter helps to balance the sweetness naturally, but if you only have unsalted butter, you can add a little extra salt to the dough to achieve the same flavor profile. Just keep it subtle so the lime flavor shines through.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum for structure. The texture might shift slightly, but the lime glaze and citrus notes will stay fantastic.

How thick should the glaze be for dipping?

The glaze should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but still runny enough to dip easily. If it’s too thick, add a little more cream or lime juice; if too thin, whisk in more powdered sugar a bit at a time.

Can I prepare the glaze ahead of time?

Yes! You can make the lime glaze a few hours before glazing the cookies. Keep it covered tightly to prevent it from drying out or becoming too thick, stirring occasionally. If it stiffens, a quick whisk will bring it right back.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about this Key Lime Cookies with Lime Glaze Recipe that makes every bite feel like a celebration of fresh, bright flavors wrapped in a soft, buttery texture. It’s a joy to bake and even more delightful to share, so I encourage you to give these cookies a try and let that lovely lime sparkle light up your day.