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Key Lime Cheesecake Cookie

If you love the tangy, creamy, and refreshing flavors of a classic Key Lime Pie, then these Key Lime Cheesecake Cookies are going to become your new favorite treat. This Crumbl copycat recipe blends the zesty citrus notes of key limes with the smooth, indulgent richness of cheesecake, resulting in a cookie that’s as delightful to make as it is to eat. With a slightly crunchy edge and soft, chewy interior, these cookies are perfect for summer parties, afternoon snacks, or just a sweet pick-me-up anytime.

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Key Lime Cheesecake Cookie

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🍪✨ Tangy meets creamy in these dreamy Key Lime Cheesecake Cookies—a tropical bite of dessert heaven! 🏝️💚 #KeyLimeLovers #CookieDreams #TropicalDelights #CheesecakeBliss #CitrusSweets #DessertEscape #BakingGoals #SweetTangyPerfection #HomemadeWithLove #TreatYourself

  • Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

Scale

For the Key Lime Cookies:

  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 6 key limes, zested
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract
  • 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt

For the Key Lime Frosting:

  • 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract
  • 1 tbsp heavy cream
  • 3 key limes, zested
  • 2 tbsp key lime juice
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

Making the Key Lime Cookie Dough

  1. Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures that your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick to the pan.
  2. Cream the Sugar and Butter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, key lime zest, and softened butter. Using an electric mixer, beat this mixture until it becomes light and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. This step is crucial for creating a soft, chewy cookie texture. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing.
  3. Add the Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg and vanilla paste (or extract) on low speed. This will help the egg integrate smoothly into the dough and give your cookies a hint of warm vanilla flavor.
  4. Add the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix—this will help your cookies maintain a soft, tender texture. Once combined, allow the dough to rest in the fridge for about 10 minutes. Chilling the dough makes it easier to scoop and helps the cookies hold their shape while baking.

Preparing the Key Lime Frosting

  1. Cream the Frosting Base: While the dough chills, make the key lime cheesecake frosting. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until light and fluffy. This will give the frosting its smooth, creamy base.
  2. Add the Flavorings: Mix in the salt, key lime zest, and key lime juice. These ingredients will infuse the frosting with the same zesty, fresh lime flavor found in the cookie dough.
  3. Add the Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until the frosting is smooth and spreadable. If it’s too thick, add the heavy cream a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency. Set aside.

Baking the Key Lime Cheesecake Cookies

  1. Scoop the Cookie Dough: Once the dough has chilled, use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to form 2 tbsp-sized balls of dough. Place them onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 3 inches apart. These cookies will spread slightly as they bake, so give them room to expand.
  2. Bake: Bake the cookies in your preheated oven for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are slightly golden brown. The center should look set but soft, so be careful not to overbake. You’ll know the cookies are done when they have a delicate golden hue on the edges but remain soft and chewy in the center.
  3. Cool the Cookies: Once out of the oven, allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet. They need to be fully cooled before you can frost them to prevent the frosting from melting.

Frosting and Garnishing

  1. Frost the Cookies: Once the cookies have cooled, use a butter knife or small spatula to spread the creamy key lime frosting on top of each cookie. Be generous with the frosting—it’s the best part!
  2. Garnish (Optional): If you want to make your cookies extra special, garnish them with thin slices of key lime or a sprinkle of fresh key lime zest. This adds a pop of color and enhances the lime flavor.

Notes

  • Butter: If you need to make the cookies dairy-free, you can substitute the butter with dairy-free margarine or coconut oil. Just keep in mind that it may slightly alter the flavor and texture of the cookies.
  • Egg: To make the cookies egg-free, you can use a flax egg or a commercial egg replacer. This substitution works well without compromising the taste.
  • Key Lime Juice: If you can’t find fresh key limes, you can use bottled key lime juice, though fresh lime zest is always preferred for the most vibrant flavor.
  • Author: Rosa
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes

In this article, we’ll walk you through every step of making these irresistible Key Lime Cheesecake Cookies, offering helpful tips for substitutions, variations, and serving suggestions. Get ready to brighten up your baking routine with this perfect mix of tart and sweet!

Why You’ll Love These Key Lime Cheesecake Cookies

Imagine sinking your teeth into a soft, chewy cookie that starts with a hint of tangy lime and ends with the smooth, decadent flavor of cheesecake frosting. These Key Lime Cheesecake Cookies bring together the best parts of two beloved desserts: the refreshing zing of Key Lime Pie and the creamy goodness of a cheesecake. The result is an indulgent treat that is surprisingly simple to make but tastes like something straight out of a bakery.

The combination of zest from the key limes, the velvety texture of cream cheese frosting, and the comforting chewiness of the cookie base makes these cookies a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re serving them at a summer BBQ, gifting them to a friend, or enjoying them with your favorite drink, these cookies will be the star of the show.

Ingredients for Key Lime Cheesecake Cookies

For the Key Lime Cookies:

  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 6 key limes, zested
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract
  • 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt

For the Key Lime Frosting:

  • 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract
  • 1 tbsp heavy cream
  • 3 key limes, zested
  • 2 tbsp key lime juice
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making the Key Lime Cookie Dough

  1. Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures that your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick to the pan.
  2. Cream the Sugar and Butter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, key lime zest, and softened butter. Using an electric mixer, beat this mixture until it becomes light and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. This step is crucial for creating a soft, chewy cookie texture. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing.
  3. Add the Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg and vanilla paste (or extract) on low speed. This will help the egg integrate smoothly into the dough and give your cookies a hint of warm vanilla flavor.
  4. Add the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix—this will help your cookies maintain a soft, tender texture. Once combined, allow the dough to rest in the fridge for about 10 minutes. Chilling the dough makes it easier to scoop and helps the cookies hold their shape while baking.

Preparing the Key Lime Frosting

  1. Cream the Frosting Base: While the dough chills, make the key lime cheesecake frosting. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until light and fluffy. This will give the frosting its smooth, creamy base.
  2. Add the Flavorings: Mix in the salt, key lime zest, and key lime juice. These ingredients will infuse the frosting with the same zesty, fresh lime flavor found in the cookie dough.
  3. Add the Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until the frosting is smooth and spreadable. If it’s too thick, add the heavy cream a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency. Set aside.

Baking the Key Lime Cheesecake Cookies

  1. Scoop the Cookie Dough: Once the dough has chilled, use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to form 2 tbsp-sized balls of dough. Place them onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 3 inches apart. These cookies will spread slightly as they bake, so give them room to expand.
  2. Bake: Bake the cookies in your preheated oven for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are slightly golden brown. The center should look set but soft, so be careful not to overbake. You’ll know the cookies are done when they have a delicate golden hue on the edges but remain soft and chewy in the center.
  3. Cool the Cookies: Once out of the oven, allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet. They need to be fully cooled before you can frost them to prevent the frosting from melting.

Frosting and Garnishing

  1. Frost the Cookies: Once the cookies have cooled, use a butter knife or small spatula to spread the creamy key lime frosting on top of each cookie. Be generous with the frosting—it’s the best part!
  2. Garnish (Optional): If you want to make your cookies extra special, garnish them with thin slices of key lime or a sprinkle of fresh key lime zest. This adds a pop of color and enhances the lime flavor.

Flavor, Texture, and Aroma: What Makes These Cookies So Special?

Flavor:

The flavor of these Key Lime Cheesecake Cookies is an exciting balance of tangy, citrusy key lime and smooth, creamy cheesecake. The cookies themselves are not overly sweet, with the brown sugar providing a deeper, molasses-like sweetness that complements the bright lime zest. The frosting is where the real indulgence happens—rich, tangy, and just the right amount of sweet. Every bite delivers a refreshing burst of lime, making them perfect for those who love a dessert with a little zing.

Texture:

These cookies are soft, chewy, and melt-in-your-mouth tender. The slightly crisp edges give way to a soft center, making each bite satisfying without being overly dense. The frosting adds a luscious creaminess that enhances the cookie’s texture, creating a delightful contrast between the chewy base and smooth topping.

Aroma:

The aroma of these cookies while they bake is mouthwatering. As the cookies spread in the oven, the scent of key lime fills the air, making it hard to resist eating them right away. The frosting, too, offers a delightful fragrance as it mixes the tang of lime with the creamy sweetness of butter and cream cheese.

Tips for Ingredient Substitutions and Variations

  • Butter: If you need to make the cookies dairy-free, you can substitute the butter with dairy-free margarine or coconut oil. Just keep in mind that it may slightly alter the flavor and texture of the cookies.
  • Egg: To make the cookies egg-free, you can use a flax egg or a commercial egg replacer. This substitution works well without compromising the taste.
  • Key Lime Juice: If you can’t find fresh key limes, you can use bottled key lime juice, though fresh lime zest is always preferred for the most vibrant flavor.

Variations:

  • Add a Coconut Twist: For a tropical flair, try adding shredded coconut to the cookie dough or frosting for a delicious coconut-key lime combo.
  • Make It Lime-Coconut Cheesecake Bars: If you prefer bars over cookies, simply press the dough into a baking pan and bake it until golden brown. Once cooled, top with the frosting and cut into squares.

Serving Suggestions

These Key Lime Cheesecake Cookies are perfect for a variety of occasions:

  • Summer Parties: Their bright, tangy flavor makes them an ideal addition to any summer gathering.
  • Afternoon Snacks: Enjoy them with a cup of iced tea or lemonade for a sweet pick-me-up in the afternoon.
  • Gift Giving: Packaged in a cute box, these cookies make a thoughtful gift for friends and family. Add a few lime slices for an extra decorative touch!

Final Thoughts

There’s something magical about the combination of creamy cheesecake frosting and the bold, refreshing flavor of key lime in cookie form. These Key Lime Cheesecake Cookies are not only delicious but also simple to make, making them the perfect treat for any occasion. Whether you’re baking for a special event or just because, these cookies are sure to impress and leave your taste buds begging for more.

Give this Crumbl copycat recipe a try, and you’ll see why these cookies are bound to become your new favorite summer indulgence!

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