Bright, tangy, and delightfully soft, these Lime Sugar Cookies are a refreshing twist on classic sugar cookies. Made with fresh lime zest and juice, a buttery cookie base, and an optional tangy lime glaze, they’re perfect for spring and summer gatherings, St. Patrick’s Day, baby showers, or any time you want a sweet citrus treat!
Recipe Highlights
- Bright Citrus Flavor: Fresh lime juice and zest give every cookie a tangy, refreshing taste.
- Soft & Chewy: A tender crumb and perfectly balanced ingredients create cookies that stay soft for days. Chilling the dough ensures they bake thick and chewy.
- Quick & Easy: Ready in about 20 minutes, with only 10 minutes of prep. Perfect for busy schedules or baking with kids.
- Customizable: Add a few drops of green food coloring for a festive look or top with optional lime glaze for extra punch.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp cream of tartar
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 egg
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 lime (zest and juice)
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1–2 drops green food coloring (optional)
Optional Glaze:
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- Juice of 1 lime
- ¼–⅓ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Prep Dough: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar for 2–3 minutes until smooth. Mix in baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt.
- Add Flavorings: Beat in the egg and vanilla. Zest the lime and add it to the dough, then squeeze in the lime juice. Mix until combined.
- Incorporate Flour: Add flour and continue mixing until fully incorporated. Cover the dough and chill in an airtight container for 2 hours.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop the dough by tablespoons and roll into balls. Roll each ball in sugar until coated.
- Bake: Place the cookie dough balls on a prepared baking sheet. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes, until the edges are just set but the centers remain soft.
- Optional Glaze: While cookies are still warm, mix melted butter with lime juice and gradually add powdered sugar until desired consistency is reached. Drizzle or spread lightly over cookies.
Tips for Perfect Lime Sugar Cookies
- Chill the Dough: Ensures cookies hold their shape and stay thick.
- Use Fresh Lime: Bottled juice doesn’t give the same bright, fresh flavor.
- Watch Bake Time: Cookies are best slightly soft in the center; they firm up as they cool.
- Fun Add-ins: Try folding in white chocolate chips or shredded coconut, or sandwich two cookies with lime buttercream.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 5 days. Freeze baked or unbaked dough for later use.
Nutrition (per cookie)
- Calories: 108 kcal
- Carbs: 16 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Sugar: 10 g
These Lime Sugar Cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with fresh citrus flavor—a simple, fun, and delicious treat that everyone will love!