Description
Key Lime Shortbread Cookies are a delightful treat combining the rich, buttery texture of classic shortbread with the bright, tangy flavor of fresh key lime juice and zest. These crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth cookies offer a perfect balance of sweet and citrusy, making them ideal for desserts, snacks, or party favors. Easy to make with simple ingredients, they bring a refreshing tropical twist to your baking repertoire.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh key lime juice
- 1 tablespoon key lime zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Bring unsalted butter to room temperature and zest your key limes. Measure fresh key lime juice and have all dry ingredients ready for smooth assembly.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy to aerate the dough for a tender crumb while incorporating the citrus.
- Add Key Lime Juice, Zest, and Vanilla: Mix in the freshly squeezed key lime juice, zest, and vanilla extract to infuse the dough with a zesty punch.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt to ensure even distribution before gently folding into the butter mixture.
- Form the Dough and Chill: Gather the dough into a disk, wrap with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up, making rolling and cutting easier.
- Roll Out and Cut Shapes: Lightly flour your surface and roll the dough to about ¼-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters or a knife to form desired shapes, then place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake and Cool: Bake at 325°F (160°C) for 15-18 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn golden. Remove and cool on a wire rack to set the texture perfectly.
Notes
- Freeze the dough for 10 minutes before rolling for perfectly shaped cookies.
- Use fresh key lime juice instead of bottled for superior flavor.
- Mix just until combined to prevent tough cookies.
- Chill cut cookies for 10 minutes before baking to maintain sharp edges.
- Use rolling pin guides to maintain even thickness and baking consistency.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain crispness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 55 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg