Zesty Coconut Key Lime Crinkle Cookies Recipe: Sweet Tropical Joy

Coconut key lime crinkle cookies bring a burst of tropical zest to your baking adventure.

Imagine a delightful fusion of tangy citrus and rich, creamy coconut dancing together in a soft, crackly cookie.

These irresistible treats blend the bright essence of key limes with the smooth, nutty undertones of coconut.

Each bite promises a sensory journey that transports you to a sunny, carefree beach.

The unique texture—crisp on the outside and tender within—sets these cookies apart from ordinary desserts.

Powdered sugar creates a stunning white landscape across the cookie’s surface, mimicking a delicate winter scene.

The unexpected combination of flavors will surprise and delight your taste buds.

What Makes These Cookies Zingy and Sweet

• Tropical Flavor Explosion: These cookies deliver a vibrant burst of key lime and coconut that transports you to a sunny beach getaway, blending sweet and tangy notes in every delightful bite.
• Perfectly Textured Treats: The crinkle cookie method creates a magical exterior with powdered sugar coating, resulting in a crackly, crisp outside and a soft, tender inside that melts in your mouth.
• Quick and Easy Baking Adventure: From start to finish, these cookies come together in under 30 minutes, making them an ideal recipe for spontaneous baking moments or last-minute dessert cravings, with minimal prep and simple ingredients.
• Crowd-Pleasing Tropical Escape: Whether served at summer parties, potlucks, or enjoyed with afternoon tea, these cookies offer a unique twist on traditional crinkle cookies that will surprise and delight guests with their bright, refreshing flavor profile.

What You’ll Need for Key Lime Crinkle Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: A classic baking staple that provides structure and texture to the cookies.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Butter: Adds richness and creates a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with cookie browning.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture.
• Shredded Coconut: Adds tropical flavor and interesting texture to the cookies.

• Key Lime Zest, Key Lime Juice: Brings bright, tangy citrus flavor to the cookies.
• Coconut Extract: Intensifies the coconut flavor throughout the cookie.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates a classic crinkle cookie look and adds a sweet coating.

Bake Crisp Yet Chewy Cookies Like These

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Surface

Warm up the oven to 350°F. Cover baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Set the mixture aside.

Step 3: Create Creamy Base

• Butter
• Sugar
• Shredded coconut

Mix until light and fluffy.

Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients

• Key lime zest
• Key lime juice
• Coconut extract

Blend until combined.

Step 5: Combine Flour Mixture

Slowly add dry ingredients on low speed. Mix until just combined. Dough will be thick and slightly sticky.

Step 6: Shape and Coat Cookies

• Scoop dough into a ball
• Drop into powdered sugar
• Roll until completely coated
• Place on prepared baking sheet
• Space cookies 2 inches apart

Step 7: Bake and Cool Cookies

Bake at 350°F for 9-11 minutes until puffy with firm edges. Let cool briefly on pan, then transfer to wire rack. Once completely cool, store in airtight container.

Smart Tips for Perfect Crinkles and Texture

• Zest with Precision: Carefully grate key lime zest using a microplane for maximum flavor without bitter white pith.
• Chill for Success: Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes before scooping to prevent spreading and maintain cookie shape.
• Sugar Coating Technique: Roll cookies generously in powdered sugar, creating a thick, even layer for beautiful crinkle effect.
• Extract Enhancement: Use high-quality coconut extract to intensify tropical flavor and complement key lime notes.
• Room Temperature Matters: Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for smoother, more consistent cookie dough texture.

Keeping Cookies Fresh with That Citrus Pop

• Refrigeration: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper. Separate layers with wax paper to prevent sticking. Cookies will stay fresh for up to 5 days when refrigerated.
• Freezing: Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Reheating: Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore softness. Alternatively, place cookies in a 300°F oven for 2-3 minutes to refresh their texture and bring back that fresh-baked warmth.

What Tastes Great with These Bright Bites

• Pair with Tropical Smoothie: Blend a refreshing mix of pineapple, mango, and coconut milk to complement the cookie's tropical key lime and coconut flavors. The smoothie's creamy texture and bright fruit notes will enhance the cookie's zesty profile.
• Serve with Lime Sorbet: Create a cool, palate-cleansing dessert companion that echoes the key lime's tangy essence. The sorbet's light, icy texture provides a perfect contrast to the cookie's soft, crumbly consistency.
• Match with Herbal Tea: Brew a light chamomile or mint tea to balance the cookie's sweetness. The subtle herbal notes will cut through the richness and highlight the cookie's delicate coconut and lime undertones.
• Enjoy with White Wine Spritzer: Pour a crisp, chilled white wine spritzer with a splash of lime to mirror the cookie's citrusy character. The drink's effervescence and light acidity will cleanse the palate between bites.

Fun Variations on the Cookie Flavor

• Tropical Paradise Punch: Replace key lime juice with passion fruit juice, add dried pineapple chunks to the dough for an extra tropical flavor burst.
• Zesty Lemon Coconut Cookies: Swap key lime zest and juice with fresh lemon zest and juice, keeping the coconut extract for a bright citrusy version.
• Matcha Coconut Fusion: Mix in 2 tablespoons of high-quality matcha powder to the dry ingredients, creating a green-hued cookie with earthy undertones and a subtle coconut finish.
• Almond Coconut Crunch: Fold in 1/2 cup of toasted sliced almonds to the dough, then roll cookies in a mixture of powdered sugar and finely chopped almonds before baking for added texture and nutty flavor.

Coconut Key Lime Crinkle Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Coconut Key Lime Crinkle Cookies bring tropical zest to classic cookie comfort, merging creamy coconut with tangy lime in a powdered sugar-dusted delight. Crisp edges, tender centers, and a playful crinkle design make these cookies an irresistible treat you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ cups (280 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

Primary Ingredients:

• ½ cup (113 grams) butter, soft/room temperature
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup (40 grams) sweetened shredded coconut

Flavoring and Coating Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon key lime zest
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) key lime juice
• 1 teaspoon coconut extract
• ½ cup (60 grams) powdered sugar

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and prepare baking sheets by lining them with silicone mats or parchment paper.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, thoroughly combine flour, baking powder, and salt using a whisk. Set the dry ingredient mixture aside.
3. Utilize a stand mixer with paddle attachment to blend butter, granulated sugar, and shredded coconut until the mixture becomes light, airy, and uniform in texture.
4. Incorporate eggs into the butter mixture one at a time, ensuring thorough mixing after each egg addition.
5. Add key lime zest, fresh key lime juice, and coconut extract to the mixture, blending until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
6. Gradually introduce the reserved flour mixture into the wet ingredients on low mixer speed, stirring until just combined. The resulting dough will appear thick and slightly tacky.
7. Pour powdered sugar into a shallow bowl. Using a small cookie scoop (approximately 1.5 to or 22-26 milliliters), form dough into rounded balls.
8. Roll each dough ball completely in powdered sugar, ensuring full coverage, then arrange on prepared baking sheets with approximately 2 inches (5 centimeters) spacing between cookies.
9. Bake for 9-11 minutes, watching for cookies to become puffy with firm edges and a crackled surface.
10. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for several minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to reach room temperature.
11. Once fully cooled, store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

Notes

• These tropical-inspired cookies combine the tangy brightness of key lime with sweet, tropical coconut for a delightful summer treat.
• Prepare ingredients ahead of time and let butter soften to room temperature for easier mixing and smoother dough consistency.
• Rolling dough balls in powdered sugar creates a crackled, snow-white exterior that looks as stunning as it tastes.
• Key lime zest and juice provide intense citrus flavor, while coconut extract amplifies the tropical undertones.
• Cookies stay fresh for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature, making them perfect for make-ahead desserts.
• Allow cookies to cool completely on wire rack to maintain crisp edges and prevent soggy bottoms.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 138 kcal
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 62 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg