Imagine biting into a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread cookie with a zesty lime kick that transports you to a tropical paradise. These Perfect Lime Glazed Shortbread Cookies are not just another dessert - they're a culinary experience that will elevate your baking game and impress everyone from family gatherings to sophisticated dinner parties. With just the right balance of tangy lime and rich, crumbly texture, these cookies are about to become your new obsession!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 24 cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (for glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper, ensuring even coverage and preventing cookie sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar together using an electric mixer. Beat until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale in color, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add lime zest and 2 tablespoons of lime juice to the butter mixture. Mix thoroughly to distribute the citrus flavor evenly throughout the dough.
- Gradually sift in the all-purpose flour and salt, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, which can make the cookies tough.
- Transfer the cookie dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness using a rolling pin.
- Cut the dough into desired shapes using cookie cutters or slice into traditional shortbread rectangles. Place cookies 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden. Rotate the baking sheets halfway through for even browning.
- Remove from oven and let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the lime glaze, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons lime juice until smooth and slightly runny.
- Once cookies are completely cool, drizzle or dip each cookie in the lime glaze. Allow glaze to set for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Tips
- Ensure your butter is truly softened but not melted - room temperature is key for the perfect creamy texture.
- Don't overwork the dough! Mix just until ingredients are combined to keep cookies tender.
- Use fresh lime zest for the most vibrant citrus flavor - microplane graters work best for fine zesting.
- Chill the dough for 15-20 minutes before rolling if it feels too soft, which helps maintain cookie shape.
- For a professional look, use a sharp knife or precise cookie cutters to create uniform shapes.
- Let cookies cool completely before glazing to prevent the glaze from becoming runny.
- For extra lime intensity, add a pinch of lime zest to the glaze mixture.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 120kcal
Carbohydrates: 12g
Protein: 1g
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 20mg
