Zesty Coconut Key Lime Crinkle Cookies Recipe for Sweet Smiles

Soft, pillowy coconut key lime crinkle cookies dance with tangy brightness and tropical sweetness that instantly transport you to a sunny beach paradise.

These delightful treats blend zesty key lime flavors with delicate coconut undertones for an irresistible cookie experience.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of tender texture and vibrant citrus notes.

The powdered sugar coating creates a stunning crackled surface that looks as amazing as it tastes.

crinkle cookies have always been a beloved dessert, but this tropical twist makes them truly special.

The simple ingredients come together effortlessly, promising a quick and delectable baking adventure.

You’ll fall in love with these bright, refreshing cookies that shine at any gathering or quiet afternoon snack moment.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 143 kcal

Servings: 22

Ingredients for Coconut Key Lime Crinkle Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and soft texture to the cookies, choose unbleached flour for better flavor.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become light, ensure it's fresh for maximum leavening power.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine sea salt for even distribution.

• Butter: Creates rich, creamy base and adds luxurious flavor, use unsalted for better moisture control.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and provide structure, select room temperature eggs for smoother mixing.
• Key Lime Zest: Delivers bright, zesty citrus notes, choose firm, heavy limes with vibrant green color.
• Key Lime Juice: Adds tangy freshness, pick juicy, ripe limes for maximum flavor.
• Coconut Extract: Intensifies tropical coconut essence, select pure extract for authentic taste.

• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create crisp edges, use fine sugar for smooth texture.
• Shredded Coconut: Adds tropical texture and nutty flavor, choose unsweetened for balanced sweetness.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates signature crinkle effect and sweet exterior, sift for smooth coating.

Baking Tools for Coconut Key Lime Crinkle Cookies

• Stand Mixer: Essential for creaming butter, sugar, and mixing dough smoothly and efficiently.
• Paddle Attachment: Crucial for creating light, fluffy cookie base and incorporating ingredients evenly.
• Small Cookie Scoop (#40): Perfect for creating uniform cookie sizes and consistent scoops.
• Small Bowls: Needed for separating powdered sugar and mixing dry ingredients.
• Whisk: Great for blending flour, baking powder, and salt together quickly.
• Baking Sheets: Necessary for baking cookies with even heat distribution.
• Silicone Mats or Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Wire Rack: Helps cookies cool completely and maintain their crisp texture.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Important for accurate ingredient proportions.

How to Bake Coconut Key Lime Crinkle Cookies

• Tropical Cookie Prep

Get your baking space ready by warming the oven and preparing clean baking sheets with non-stick surfaces.

• Dry Ingredient Blend

Mix flour, rising agent, and salt in a bowl, setting this powdery mixture aside for later use.

• Creamy Base

Whip butter, sugar, and coconut shavings together until the mixture looks fluffy and light, creating a rich foundation for your cookies.

• Flavor Infusion

Gently incorporate eggs one at a time, then add zesty key lime and tropical coconut essence to create a vibrant cookie mixture.

• Dough Formation

Slowly fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, creating a thick and slightly tacky dough that promises delicious results.

• Sugar Coating

Roll small dough balls in powdered sugar, ensuring each cookie is completely covered in a soft white layer. Space them evenly on baking sheets.

• Baking Magic

Slide cookies into the hot oven, baking until they puff up and edges become firm. Let them cool briefly before transferring to a cooling rack.

• Cookie Storage

Once completely cooled, store these tropical treats in a sealed container to maintain their delightful texture and flavor.

Baking Tips & Twist Options for Coconut Key Lime Crinkle Cookies

• Replace key lime zest with lemon or orange zest for a different citrusy twist that brightens the cookie's flavor profile.
• Lightly toast shredded coconut before adding to the dough to enhance its nutty, caramelized undertones and add deeper complexity.
• Create a simple key lime glaze by mixing powdered sugar with fresh key lime juice, then drizzle over cooled cookies for extra tangy sweetness.
• Fold in white chocolate chips or chopped macadamia nuts to add delightful texture and complementary tropical notes to the cookie base.

Serving Coconut Key Lime Crinkle Cookies with Flair

• Pair with Tropical Beverage: Serve these zesty cookies alongside a refreshing coconut water or a light piña colada mocktail for a delightful tropical experience.
• Create Dessert Platter: Arrange the cookies on a platter with fresh lime wedges, toasted coconut flakes, and a small dish of whipped cream for an elegant presentation.
• Afternoon Tea Companion: Enjoy these cookies during a relaxed afternoon tea, complementing them with light herbal or green tea that enhances their citrusy coconut flavor.
• Gift-Worthy Treat: Package the cooled cookies in a cute mason jar or decorative tin, tied with a ribbon, for a homemade gift that's sure to bring smiles.

How to Store and Keep Coconut Key Lime Crinkle Cookies Fresh

• Maximize Freshness: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, keeping them soft and delectable.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap individual cookies or the entire batch in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 3 months for a quick tropical treat anytime.
• Prevent Softening: Add a slice of bread to the storage container to maintain cookie moisture and prevent them from becoming dry or crumbly.
• Quick Serving Tip: Let frozen cookies thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying their full coconut and key lime flavor profile.

Tropical Coconut Key Lime Crinkle Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 22 1x

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Description

Homemade coconut key lime crinkle cookies blend tropical zest with delicate sweetness. Powdered sugar coating and rich lime notes create an irresistible dessert you’ll savor with pure delight.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (113 grams) butter, soft/room temperature
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) key lime juice
• ½ cup (40 grams) sweetened shredded coconut
• 2 ¼ cups (280 grams) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (60 grams) powdered sugar
• 1 tsp key lime zest
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp coconut extract

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper.
2. Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl, setting mixture aside for later use.
3. Creaming: Using a stand mixer, blend butter, granulated sugar, and shredded coconut until light and uniform in texture.
4. Wet Mixture: Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly, then incorporate key lime zest, fresh key lime juice, and coconut extract until evenly distributed.
5. Dough Formation: Gradually mix reserved flour mixture into wet ingredients on low speed until just combined, creating a thick and slightly tacky dough.
6. Sugar Coating: Pour powdered sugar into a shallow bowl, then use a small cookie scoop to form dough balls and roll completely in powdered sugar.
7. Baking: Arrange sugar-coated dough balls on prepared baking sheets with 2-inch spacing, then bake for 9-11 minutes until puffy with firm edges and crackled surface.
8. Cooling: Rest cookies on baking sheet briefly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Notes

• Chill for Best Texture: Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent sticky handling and improve cookie shape.
• Sugar Coating Trick: Use extra powdered sugar for a thicker, more dramatic crinkle effect and sweeter exterior.
• Zest Intensity Matters: Fresh key lime zest provides more vibrant flavor compared to bottled or dried alternatives.
• Storage Recommendation: These cookies stay fresh up to 5 days in an airtight container at room temperature, maintaining soft, delicate crumb.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 22
• Calories: 143
• Sugar: 11 g
• Sodium: 52 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 21 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg