The Best Key Lime Cookies Recipe: Easy, Zesty, and Delicious

Key lime is one of my favorite flavors, so here come some key lime cookies! Packed with super summery flavor and perfect for that need for something sweet and tart at the same time. 

These cookies may take a little extra tedious work than most with the key limes but the effort pays off. But you can exchange the key lime juices with pre bottled Nellies Key West Lime Juice.

If you love key lime pie as much as I do, then you need these key lime cookies right now! They hit every bit of the cravings you may have for it without the time it takes to make a whole pie. And this recipe does make 2 dozen cookies.

Measurements

The measurements in these key lime cookies are precise for a reason. There were other versions made that didn’t meet the criteria. This is the final recipe and doesn’t disappoint so stick to the recipe.

As usual, I highly recommend buying a scale for your kitchen. They are indispensable. One packed cup of brown sugar does not weigh the same as the next one. But a scale gives you the exact same measurement every time. These are in most professional kitchens so that you meal comes out almost the same every time. So get out there and buy a culinary scale. Or just do it right here.

Making the Key Lime Cookies

First preheat your oven to 350°F.

Now start by zesting and juicing your key limes as well as measuring everything else out. This “mise en place” is the standard of cooking that makes your kitchen more efficient.

Now that you’re all set up, add the butter and both the light brown and white sugar to your mixer. Using the paddle attachment, mix on low to medium speed for 5 minutes. Scraping the sides down as needed so that the butter and sugar become fully creamed together.

Now add your egg and continue mixing for another 2 minutes. Then add the vanilla, zest, and key lime juice and mix for 1 more minute.

Mix your dry ingredients together in a separate bowl. Now on low speed, slowly add the dry mix to the wet ingredients until your dough has formed. Do not over mix or the gluten in the flour can become activated and make a dense cookie.

Time To Bake

Something very helpful when baking cookies is by baking only one first. This is the sacrificial cookie. It is a big practice I learned from reading Christina Tosi’s cookbook All About Cookies. This is especially helpful when playing around with a new recipe.

Now set up your baking tray, preferably with a silicone baking mat, and form your cookie dough balls with 3 inches between each one. Press down on each one slightly with the palm of your hand. 

Place the tray onto the middle rack of your oven and bake for 14 minutes.

Once finished they should be lightly browned on the edges. Remove them from the oven and place onto a cooling rack for 5 minutes.

Now enjoy these insanely delicious key lime cookies while they’re still warm. You don’t get to do that with key lime pie! They also taste great fully cooled by the way, but who doesn’t love a nice warm cookie? 

P.s. I have since tried them with vanilla ice cream… So I must recommend making ice cream sandwiches.

More Cookie Lover Recipes!

If you love these cookies, You should try some of my other favorites!

• Hot Cocoa cookies
• Saturday Morning Cartoon cookies
• Strawberry shortbread
• Cardamom cookies
• Norwegian Fancy cookies
• The best cereal cookies