Recipe: Lime Sugar Cookies

I don't know about other places, but I certainly know that my grocery store constantly has limes on sale. It seems like its almost to the point where they're going to start paying me to take them off their hands. I love citrus, and limes are one of my all-time favorite fruits. They're versatile like lemons, but provide their own special flavor along with their tartness. I use them in soups, salads and everything in between. The only area I was never really able to work the limes into was baking.

Sure, I have recipes for key lime pie, cupcakes, and cheesecake, but what about the regular old everyday, run-of-the-mill lime? How come he is always shoved aside so his fancy cousin from the south can get all of the attention? I searched for recipes for the little guy, but nothing really caught my eye. Most were recipes for glazes ice creams, and sorbets (which are all well and good), but its the middle of winter here in New York, my ice cream maker is packed away and I want to bake something.

Then I remembered a recipe that a co-worker gave to me about a month ago. She is just the sweetest woman ever and we're always chatting about cooking, fashion and other such topics. I don't remember how this all came up exactly, but I know it involved her giving me a cookie (always a good thing) and me immediately asking for the recipe because it was just that fabulous. Now, I have no idea where this recipe is originally from, so I can't give proper credit, but I am certainly not trying to claim it as my own. Regardless, it results in some fantastic cookies...

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LIME SUGAR COOKIES

MAKES: 30 cookies
PREP: 15 minutes
CHILL: 1 hour
BAKE: 20 minutes

 INGREDIENTS:

• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cup sugar (set aside an additional 1/2 cup)
• zest of 2 limes (about 2 heaping tablespoons)
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 large egg yolks at room temperature
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 1/2 cups flour

Beat butter, 1 1/2 cups sugar, and lime zest on medium speed in an electric mixer until lightly creamed. Add sour cream, and beat just until blended. Stir in egg yolks and lime juice, scraping down sides of bowl. Add salt, baking powder and flour, and beat until blended. Chill dough 1 hour.
 
Preheat oven to 350. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.* Place remaining 1/2 cup sugar in a small bowl. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in sugar, and place on baking sheets.**

*Instead of parchment paper, I coated my sheets with Pam Spray for Baking.
**This dough can also be chilled and rolled out if you prefer to use cutters.

Bake at 350 for 20 to 25 minutes, or until edges begin to brown; bottoms will look golden. (For crispier cookies, bake a few additional minutes.) Remove to wire racks to cool

Enjoy!

 

mmm... zesty
(sorry, i just really like this pic)