Sugar Cookies In July

Tea anyone? Add some Key Lime Sugar Cookies for a little sweetness.

Tea anyone? Add some Key Lime Sugar Cookies for a little sweetness.

In honor of National Sugar Cookie Day, we found a recipe that spoke to the flavors of summer - Key Lime Sugar Cookies (Meltaways). Serve with a spot of tea for a refreshing afternoon treat. Sugar cookies aren’t just for Christmas anymore.

Key Lime Sugar Cookies

Servings: 4 dozen

Prep: 15 MINUTES

Chilling Time: 1 Hour

Cook: 15 MINUTES

Total: 1 HOUR 30 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

  • 1/3 cup powdered sugar

  • Grated zest of 2 limes

  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (or key lime juice)

  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

  • 2/3 cup powdered sugar for serving

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, and salt. Set aside.

  2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, cream butter and 1/3 cup sugar until fluffy. Add lime zest, juice, and vanilla; beat until fluffy. Add dry ingredients, and mix on low speed until blended.

  3. Between two 8-by-12-inch pieces of parchment paper, roll dough into two 1 1/4-inch-diameter logs. Chill at least 1 hour

  4. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment. Remove parchment from logs; slice dough into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Place rounds on baking sheets, spaced 1 inch apart. Bake cookies until barely golden, about 15 minutes.

  5. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool slightly, 8 to 10 minutes. Put cookie sheet under the wire rack. Place remaining 2/3 cup powdered sugar in a sifter. Sift powdered sugar generously over the top of the cookies while still warm.resealable plastic bag. Store baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Recipe credit: Barbara Bakes

MARY VAN HIELFood, designComment