This post may contain affiliate links.
Move over pie, these soft and chewy Key Lime Cookies are so refreshing and delicious. The perfect texture cookie iced with a key lime glaze–these simple cookies are every lime lover’s dream come true! Only 10 minutes to prepare the cookie dough!
Citrus and cookies is seriously the best. Orange cookies, lemon cookies and now these chewy key lime cookies. I cannot get enough, especially when the sun is shining!
I mean, I will never deny a chocolate chip cookie, but there is something so refreshing about these lime cookies that make them so irresistible and a great way to switch things up a bit.
These Iced Key Lime Cookies Are:
- Soft and chewy texture. If you love soft chewy cookies then these will be a treat for you! Baked so that the edges are just starting to set so that you have the right amount of chew in each bite!
- Super refreshing. Nothing beats the fresh and slightly tart flavor of key limes. If you love key lime desserts, then cookies with the same vibrant flavor need to be yours!
- Very simple to make. No chilling required, basic ingredients (aside from the key limes), only about 10 minutes to prep and baked in no time–gotta love it!
- A perfect summery cookie. Who says summer is not for baking? Certainly not us! We love a good cookie and this one is sure to help you beat the heat of summer.
Recipe Ingredients:
- butter: unsalted butter and softened to room temperature
- sugar: regular, white granulated sugar
- brown sugar: opt for light brown sugar when making these iced lime cookies
- egg: a large egg, brought to room temperature for best results
- vanilla: I prefer vanilla extract but if you want a stronger lime flavor, you could do 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon lime extract.
- key limes: I only use the zest for the cookies and then zest and juice for the icing. Fresh key limes are obviously needed for that. The zest makes for a nice vibrant key lime flavor in the cookie! If you can’t get a hold of key limes, regular lime zest and juice will work as well.
- flour: all purpose flour, measured at 219 grams if possible to weigh your flour. If not, spoon to aerate and then scoop and level your flour.
- baking soda: make sure your baking soda is fresh! It is key to successful key lime cookies, or any cookies for that matter!
- salt: I use sea salt
- powdered sugar: make sure you have enough extra to add to the icing if you overdo it on the liquid!
What is the Difference Between Key Limes and Regular Limes?
Key limes and regular limes are very different in the way they look. Key limes are very small and round. Their skin is also very thin as compared to your typical lime.
The flavor of a key lime is more tart and more aromatic with floral hints as compared to your typical lime.
Key limes are not always easy to find so if all you can get your hands on is regular limes, they can still certainly be used. The flavor will be slightly different, but once baked it’s not as noticeable as you would think. Both are refreshing!
Step-By-Step Instructions:
- Start by creaming the butter and sugar in a medium bowl. Use an electric mixer and beat on a high level for at least a minute or so until light and fluffy. Don’t skimp on creaming!
- Add egg and vanilla and beat until mixed in. Whisk the flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Then slowly add in the dry ingredients about 1/3 at a time along with the lime zest just until mixed in. Make sure not to over mix once you start adding the flour.
- Pull the dough together and roll into about 1 1/2 inch cookie dough balls. You should not need to chill the key lime cookie dough, but if they spread too much you can chill for about 15 minutes.
- Bake in preheated oven for about 9-11 minutes. Pull them out just before you think they are ready if you like your cookies soft and chewy.
- Allow the key lime cookies to cool on a wire rack before icing. Mix the icing ingredients together and adjust the thickness by adding more liquid or more powdered sugar. I like to let the key lime icing sit for about 5-10 minutes before icing the cookies as it is less runny when icing.
- You can dip the cookies in the lime glaze or spread the icing over top. Whichever you prefer! Sprinkle with extra key lime zest to make them look even more beautiful.
- Store these cookies in an air tight container for about 4-5 days at room temperature, although they are the chewiest in the first 3 days after baking.
Recipe Tips
- Make sure your butter is softened. This is a huge factor in the texture of these key lime cookies. You don’t want the butter too hard or starting to melt. Softened butter should hold its shape well but make a slight imprint when you press into it with your finger.
- Don’t over bake your cookies. To get that super soft and chewy texture that is not too dry, you want to pull these cookies out of the oven almost before you think they are ready. The edges don’t really brown and the cookies may still look a touch puffy but that is ok.
- Roll into smooth balls versus using a cookie scoop. This will not impact the taste of the cookies, but I found the look of the cookies was much prettier when rolled into balls versus using a cookie scoop. This is probably more of a personal preference, but I love pretty cookies and I imagine most people do as well!
Storage:
While these cookies will typically get gobbled up super fast, you may still need to store some for a bit. At room temperature, you can store them in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days. I find them to be the best texture within the first three days but are perfectly edible still a couple days more.
You can refrigerate them if preferred for about 5 days. If you would like to freeze baked cookies, make sure they are completely cooled before freezing. I think it’s better freezing them without the key lime glaze and then adding it to the cookies once thawed, but you can freeze them iced if preferred.
Separate each cookie with a piece of parchment paper or wax paper so the icing doesn’t get stuck to the cookie on top of it if they are stacked!
Freezing The Cookie Dough:
If freezing the cookie dough, I prefer rolling the dough into balls and then freezing. Put them in a freezer safe bag or container spaced out until frozen.
You can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. You can bake from frozen, adding an extra 2-4 minutes to baking time or thaw to room temperature and then bake according to normal directions.
Other Cookie Recipes:
- Birthday Cake Cookies
- Gluten Free Oatmeal Cookies
- Egg Free Sugar Cookies
- Red Velvet Cake Cookies
- Pumpkin Spice Molasses Cookies
- Lucky Charm Cookies
- Peppermint Chip Cookies
HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest for all the latest!
Key Lime Cookies
Ingredients
Cookies:
- ½ c unsalted butter, softened to room temperature, one stick
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 c sugar
- 1/4 c light brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2-3 tsp key lime zest
- 1 3/4 c flour , 219g
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Key Lime Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 T key lime juice
- 1 T milk
- 1/4 tsp vanilla
- Pinch of salt, optional
- ½ tsp key lime zest
Instructions
For The Cookies:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Whisk together flour, salt and baking soda in a small bowl and set aside. Combine butter, brown sugar and sugar in a separate mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer on high to cream for about 1-2 minutes until light and fluffy texture.
- Add in the egg and vanilla and beat until mixed in. Add in the lime zest and then 1/3 of the flour mixture beating only until mixed in. Continue slowly adding the flour mixture until dough forms.
- Roll the dough into 1 1/2 inch balls and arrange on parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake for about 8-10 minutes. Allow to cool on the cookie sheet for 2-3 minutes and then transfer to cooling rack.
- Once cookies are completely cooled, whisk together the lime glaze ingredients, adjusting liquid or powdered sugar to desired thickness. Allow the glaze to sit for several minutes and then dip cookies or spread the glaze over top with a knife.
- Allow the icing to set and then enjoy! Store remaining cookies in an air tight container for 4-5 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Shop This Post:
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → 
Hi Lorie,
I plan on making these this weekend, they sound yummy! I am thinking about adding key lime juice in the cookie dough, maybe 1-2 T, what do you think?
Thanks,
Sandy
Hi Sandy! You could add a touch of the juice if you would like. I have had people do it in my lemon cookies with success. I would go with about a tablespoon to start to make sure that you don’t end up with too much liquid and change the texture of the cookies. Hope you love them!
Everyone loved this cookie so much so that I’m having to make them twice a week.
Now that is what I am talking about! Love this!
This one made me some friends, but I made them vegan. Delish!
Oh wow! what did you use for an egg substitute?
My friend made them,loved them! Can I double the recipe!!
Was thinking of adding some lime juice to the cookie recipe as well.
I use zest in a lot of recipes,it gives them a little zip!
How long is cookie dough good in the refrigerator?
Hi Lynn! Doubling should be just fine—if you hit the x2 button on the recipe card, the grams of flour won’t show as doubled, just be aware! Chilled dough will be just fine for at least 3 days and up to 5. You can freeze the dough as well for 3 months!
So delicious and so easy. They were a huge hit at my holiday party. My favorite comment of the night (besides “wow, so citrusy!) was that they were “competition good.” Definitely going to be baking more right now. =)
Sarah you have made my day!!! Thanks so much for sharing and happy they were such a hit!
These were delicious and a huge hit! I love key lime pie but don’t always feel like making it so thought I’d try these cookies and was very pleased. Quick and easy too! I even sprinkled a little crushed graham cracker on top of the icing. 😋
Can’t wait to make again!
Thanks so much Kate for sharing. I will not be adding graham crackers over top to mine—what a great idea!
Absolutely delicious even when warm. I couldn’t wait for it to completely cool to taste it. They are delicious without the glaze as well! Easiest cookie recipe I’ve tried and came out perfect first time. I did chill my dough to form balls easier.
Yay!!! These have been my summer OBSESSION. S happy you love them too!
These were so unbelievably delicious. The perfect texture and just the right amount of sweetness and lime. Everyone’s new favorite dessert at our house!
Yay!!! Happy to hear my fave cookie worked well for you!!
Excellent, easy, fast, and
delicious!
That is what I love to hear!
Hands down, very delicious!
So so happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe!! Thanks!