Key Lime Sugar Cookies are sweet and tart cookies topped with lime buttercream frosting. A twist on the classic Southern pie became a simple and delicious cookie recipe.
Lime sugar cookies are soft and chewy with a dollop of buttercream frosting to dress them up. They’re as sweet as the pie that inspired them!
My husband is originally from the South, Louisiana, to be exact. Since I’ve met him, I’ve been introduced to crawfish, jambalaya, gumbo, and his favorite… key lime pie.
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His preferred version comes from his mom, who knows his craving for super bold flavors, rendering this favorite pie a bit too powerful for the rest of us – unless we’re willing to walk around with puckered faces until the citric acid wears off.
These Key Lime Sugar Cookies are my attempt to turn his favorite pie into a cookie. And let me tell you he loves them, and so do I. These cookies turned out to have all the lime flavor from the inspired pie minus the extreme tartness of the limes that one would expect to have.
They are incredibly balanced, soft, and addictive, as evidenced by my hubby inhaling three before acknowledging my existence. While I’m not the most significant critical lime pie fan, I love these lime cookies and devoured almost just as many as my husband.
Why key limes make great desserts
Cookie Baking Tips!
Can you freeze sugar cookies?
All cookies can be frozen, but it is best to wrap them individually and only do this once they have cooled completely. Another way to freeze them is to stack them in layers in a Ziplock or container, separating the layers using parchment paper. I love individually wrapping them, as I feel they taste better. Do not freeze after frosting.
How long will cookies stay fresh in an airtight container?
Properly stored, freshly baked cookies will last for about 2 to 3 weeks at average room temperature in an airtight container. It is best to frost before serving.
Can you freeze the dough?
This cookie dough can be easily frozen, but it is best if you portion the dough beforehand. Scoop the cookies like you were going to bake them and place them on parchment paper. Then, wrap the parchment paper in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container.
Before you bake, preheat the oven, following the cookie recipe’s suggested temperature. Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, 2 inches apart. The only thing you will need to change is adding an extra 1-2 minutes to the baking time for the frozen dough.
So, try these Key Lime Cookies and a twist on a classic Southern pie or just a cookie that everyone will ooh and ahh over. This an easy recipe for a soft, chewy sugar cookie with a punch of citrus flavor.
Recipes we love that are made with limes!
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Key Lime Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
Key Lime Sugar Cookies
- 1 1/4 cups white sugar
- 1 cup butter
- 3 tablespoons key lime or lime zest (2-4 limes)
- 3 egg yolks
- 4 key limes juiced, or 2 regular limes
- 1/2 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
Key Lime Frosting
- 4 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 1 key lime juiced
- 3 tablespoons lime zest (2-4 limes)
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3-4 tablespoons milk
- ¼ teaspoon lemon extract
Instructions
Lime Sugar Cookies
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Cream together sugar, lime zest, and butter. Beat in egg yolks, lime juice, and vanilla.
- Add flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Combine.
- Form dough into walnut size balls and place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. Don't flatten. Bake 10-12 minutes, until tops are cracked and just turning color.
Lime Frosting
- In a large bowl, cream together the confectioners' sugar and butter until smooth. Gradually mix in the lemon flavoring, lime zest and juice, then add the milk 1 Tbsp at a time until it reaches your desired consistency. Beat until smooth and stiff, about 1 minute.
- Frost cookies and serve or store in an airtight container and frost before serving.
Hi, I’ve never been to your blog, but I found these cookies and tried them. They are really delicious, and the icing recipe is good as well (that usually falls short of the cookie quality in recipes, but not this one). It adds the limey flavor. I made icing designs on them (but with only 1/4 of the icing recipe, we like less in our family). Thank you! I needed a way to use spoiling key limes (you don’t hear that often).
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. You made my day! I truly appreciate it and so happy you enjoyed these cookies as much as we have. Hope to see you around the blog more! xo San
I would LOVE to have your mother-in-law’s recipe for Key Lime Pie! I LOVE the tartness! I have tried so many recipes and I haven’t found one yet that satisfies me. 🙁
Lavonne – I will get this done after Thanksgiving just for you! xo San
I could go for a few dozen of these!
Just wondering is lemon flavoring the same thing as lemon extract? Thanks!!
Oh my goodness Key Lime anything is a BIG hit in our house! I would love to make these and ship them to my son who’s in college. Does the frosting harden or firm up? I’m wondering how well they would hold up to packing and mailing off. Or if the frosting would smoosh all over? Thank you for a mouth watering recipe!!
The frosting is a buttercream so it may smush a little bit. You could always make them into cookie sandwiches by adding more frosting and another cookie on top! That’s what I prefer to do when sending frosted cookies, and they’re just as yummy! I’m so glad you like these.
These are some of the best cookies I’ve ever made! The sugar cookie is like the greatest crust ever for the key lime flavor.
These sound like an amazing flavor of cookie. I cannot wait to make them!
This is making me hungry and I just ate
I will definitely make a batch of these delectable cookies soon! My family will love it!
The lime frosting is out of this world. My new favorite cookie!
I am so excited to try these! They sound incredible!! YUMMY!
These cookies are SO GOOD!! They would not last long at our house!
Oh they look so good and mouth watering, i wanna have them right now
such a nice information for the this delicious cookies evening time tea sippers will be the most lovers.
Looks amazingly delicious! Can’t wait to make a batch of this!
I would love to make a batch of these! They sound amazing!
What a great idea to make cookies with the Key Lime flavor! Love it!
The flavor is so yummy. My cookies turned out too thin. I want to try to make them again and figure out why. I’m wondering if I put too much lime juice in. Do you have a specific measurement for the lime juice amount amount?
About 2-3 Tablespoons. What did you batter look like?