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Lime Sugar Cookies for #SundaySupper

Lime Sugar Cookies | Magnolia Days

A tiny leaf emerges from a branch. Buds form and hold blossoms until they are ready to pop open. Spring brings and array of color against a background of green. Trees, plants, grass, and flowers come to life after winter dormancy. You go outside and feel warmth instead of brutal cold. The season is inspiring in so many ways. It could be the spark of a new painting, poem, sculpture, project, or even a recipe. Lime sugar cookies are what I was inspired to bake for my favorite time of year.

I look outside and see new growth with each passing day. Phlox will soon turn to a mass of tiny purple flowers. Peonies, mums, poppies, hostas, daisies, daffodils, and more shoot up from the ground. Leaves are spouting on trees. Celebrating spring with cookies meant baking ones that represented my view of the season. I think of green, flowers, and the world being brighter. The cookies had to be shaped like flowers with specks of green and brightness from citrus.

Lime Sugar Cookies | Magnolia Days

Lime sugar cookies are easy to make. They are basic cut-out cookies decorated with sanding sugar. The process begins with making lime sugar. Zest is rubbed into granulated sugar to release the oils which bumps up the flavor. I learned the method with Tangerine Yogurt Cake and have used it many times since. The dough is much softer than typical roll and cut cookie dough. I had my concerns however it firmed up while chilling. Be sure to flour your work surface well and move the dough around as you are rolling it to keep it from sticking.

Lime Sugar Cookies | Magnolia Days

How are the cookies? Lime gives it such a nice tart kick to balance out the sweetness. They are crispy and yet have lightness to the texture. Baking powder is what makes them puff ever so slightly. Sanding sugar puts an added crunch on top. And they represented spring so much that I had to do one photo with flowers.

Lime Sugar Cookies | Magnolia Days

Do you enjoy baking? If so, are you seeking recipes for springtime sweets? All you have to do is scroll down to find a list and links to ones by Sunday Supper contributors. We are partnering with Dixie Crystals to share ones for the season. There’s exciting news too! If you are a food blogger you can enter to win big prizes in a baking contest. First place wins a $500 gift card, ticket to the Food and Wine Conference, and more. Take a look by clicking here: Brownie Dessert Contest

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5 from 1 vote
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Lime Sugar Cookies

A recipe for lime sugar cookies. These cutout cookies are made with fresh lime zest and juice and topped with coarse sugar.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Author Renee

Ingredients

  • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons grated lime zest
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
  • Coarse sanding sugar

Instructions

  1. Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.
  2. Use your fingers to rub the lime zest into the sugar in a large bowl. Add butter and beat until light and fluffy.
  3. Add eggs and lime juice and beat until combined.
  4. Add flour mixture and beat until smooth. Dough will be soft and sticky.
  5. Divide dough in half. Shape each half into round disks and wrap each half in plastic wrap. Refrigerate dough overnight.
  6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or non-stick liner.
  7. Remove 1 wrapped pack of dough from refrigerator.
  8. Sprinkle rolling pin and work surface with flour. Roll out dough to 1/4-inch thick. Move the dough around frequently to make sure it is not sticking.
  9. Use shaped cookie cutters to cut cookies.
  10. Place cookies at least 1-inch apart on a baking sheets. Sprinkle with sanding sugar.
  11. Bake 12 to 14 minutes, until cookies are just beginning to turn light brown around the edges. Rotate baking sheets halfway through baking for even baking.
  12. Cool cookies on baking sheet for 1 minute then transfer to a wire rack. Cool completely.
  13. Repeat steps with remaining dough. You can gather up excess dough after cutting the cookies, shape into another disk, and roll out for more cookies.
  14. Cool baking sheets completely between batches.

Recipe Notes

Time stated does not include chilling dough overnight. Yield can vary depening on size and shape of cookie cutter(s).

Recipe adapted from one in the Martha Stewart’s Cookies cookbook (affiliate link to Amazon).

Are you ready to make springtime sweets? Check out these recipes by Sunday Supper contributors featuring Dixie Crystals sugar:

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET and you do not want to miss out on the fun. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.

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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Dixie Crystals. All opinions are my own.

Recipe Rating




Marycarol J Stout

Monday 19th of July 2021

These are wonderful cookies! My notes are: 1) the dough is really sticky and requires extra flour for rolling. Don't worry if it won't easily divide - just refrigerate the whole batch and work with portions at a time. 2) Do not over bake - pull them out when there is a slight golden around the edges. They're still good, but when they are just done they are amazing! 3) Skip the sanding sugar and mix up a little confectioners sugar/lime juice/lime zest glaze to amp up the lime flavor. Great treats!!!!

Christine from Cook the Story

Wednesday 2nd of April 2014

These are beautiful cookies, Renee!

Renee

Wednesday 2nd of April 2014

Thank you so much Christine

Roz

Tuesday 1st of April 2014

What a delightful, pretty, sweet and 'green' way to welcome beloved spring after such a wicked winter! Lime is such a favorite flavor of mine and I can't wait to try this recipe Renee! Hugs, Roz

Renee

Wednesday 2nd of April 2014

Thanks so much Roz!

Jennie @themessybakerblog

Monday 31st of March 2014

I can't wait for bright flowers and warmer weather. These cookies are gorgeous, Renee. I love that you used lime. Pinned.

Renee

Monday 31st of March 2014

Thanks Jennie. It's really warming up nicely here in the South. Hopefully it will be that way soon in your area too.

Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere

Monday 31st of March 2014

Wonderful tip about making lime sugar. These cookies are beautiful!

Renee

Monday 31st of March 2014

Thanks Sarah and the lime sugar technique works so well for recipes with citrus zest and sugar.