Description

These lime sugar cookies are perfectly baked to achieve a crusty edge with a soft and chewy center. Bursting with bright lime zest and a hint of fresh lime juice, they offer a refreshing twist on classic sugar cookies. Easy to prepare and delightful to enjoy, these cookies are a flavorful citrus treat perfect for dessert or snacking.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2¼ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
1¼ cups granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons lime zest
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
Cream butter and sugar: In a separate large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color, about 3-4 minutes.
Add egg and flavorings: Beat in the large egg, lime zest, fresh lime juice, and vanilla extract into the creamed butter and sugar mixture until fully incorporated and smooth.
Combine dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix to maintain a tender cookie texture.
Scoop the dough: Use a cookie scoop or spoon to form dough balls and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheets.
Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes or until the edges are set and slightly golden but the centers remain soft.
Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Notes

For extra zest flavor, consider adding a little more lime zest but avoid increasing the juice to maintain dough consistency.
Using fresh lime juice is essential for bright flavor; bottled lime juice may result in a less vibrant taste.
To keep cookies soft, avoid overbaking; they should look slightly underdone when removed from the oven and firm up on cooling.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
For a decorative touch, sprinkle some coarse sugar on top of the dough balls before baking.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 11 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: lime sugar cookies, citrus cookies, lime zest cookies, chewy sugar cookies, easy dessert recipe, homemade cookies