Description
These Key Lime Cookies are a bright and delicious treat featuring a tender, citrus-infused cookie base topped with a smooth, tangy lime glaze. Perfectly balanced with a hint of vanilla and a zesty lime punch, they make a delightful dessert or snack for lime lovers.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookies
- 2 cups cake flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg white
- 1 1/2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Zest of two limes
For the Icing
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons milk
- Zest of two limes
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready when your dough is prepared.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt; set this mixture aside for later use.
- Cream Butter, Sugar, and Zest: Using a stand mixer, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and lime zest on medium speed until the mixture becomes pale and fluffy, roughly 3 minutes, to incorporate air and flavor.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the egg white, heavy cream, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and beat until fully combined and smooth.
- Incorporate Flour Mixture: Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the dry flour mixture in three additions, mixing just until incorporated each time. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure even mixing.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop out about one heaping tablespoon of dough at a time, roll into balls, and place them 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets lined with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Flatten Dough Balls: Gently press down the tops of each dough ball with your hands to slightly flatten them for even baking and cookie shape.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges begin to lightly brown. Rotate the baking sheet halfway through cooking for even heat distribution.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet before adding the icing to prevent melting.
- Prepare Icing: While the cookies bake and cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk (start with 3 tablespoons then add more if needed for consistency), and lime zest in a medium bowl until smooth.
- Glaze Cookies: Pour or drizzle the lime icing over the cooled cookies evenly and allow the icing to harden completely, which may take 15-20 minutes.
- Serve: Once the icing has set, serve the Key Lime Cookies and enjoy their refreshing citrus flavor.
Notes
- Use cake flour for a tender, delicate crumb in the cookies.
- The lime zest in both the cookie and icing enhances the citrus flavor beautifully.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before icing to avoid melting the glaze.
- Adjust the milk quantity in the icing for desired thickness; thicker for a glaze, thinner for a drizzle.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For a stronger lime flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of fresh lime juice to the icing.
