Easy Key Lime Pie Cookies
These delicious cookies capture the essence of key lime pie with a bright, tangy flavor balanced by sweetness. Perfect for snacks or gatherings.
Ingredients
Cookie Base
- 1.5 cups crushed graham crackers (texture)
- 0.25 cups white sugar (sweetness)
- 0.5 tsp salt (enhances flavor)
- 0.5 cups unsalted butter, softened (moisture)
- 0.5 cups light brown sugar, packed (carries sweetness)
- 0.5 tsp baking powder (provides lift)
- 1.25 cups all-purpose flour (structure)
- 1 tbsp key lime zest (adds brightness)
- 1 large egg (binding)
- 0.25 tsp baking soda (aids in leavening)
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice (tanginess)
- 2 tsp vanilla essence (rich flavor)
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 cup icing sugar (for sweetness and texture)
- 0.25 tsp vanilla essence (additional flavor)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened (creamy texture)
- 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk (richness)
- 2 tbsp fresh key lime juice (tartness)
- key limes, for garnish (optional, fresh flavor)
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and gather all your ingredients.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the crushed graham crackers, white sugar, and salt, mixing until uniform.
- Add the softened unsalted butter and light brown sugar. Cream together until light and fluffy.
- Incorporate the baking powder, flour, key lime zest, egg, baking soda, lime juice, and vanilla essence. Mix until fully combined.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and drop tablespoons of dough onto the sheet, spacing them apart.
- Bake for approximately 10-12 minutes, until the edges turn golden but the centers remain soft.
- Remove from oven and cool for at least 5 minutes on the baking sheet.
- Prepare the cream cheese frosting by blending the softened cream cheese, icing sugar, sweetened condensed milk, and key lime juice until smooth.
- Once cookies have cooled, spread a layer of frosting on each cookie.
- Garnish with a slice of key lime or sprinkle key lime zest on top.
Notes
Use fresh key limes for best flavor. Don’t skip the zest for enhanced taste. Monitor baking time closely, as ovens can vary.