Lime Sandwich Cookies
Summer is officially over and it’s starting to feel like fall up here in Michigan. I noticed a few leaves changing, the air is cooler, and of course school has started. If you’re not ready to say good-by to summer just yet, give these cookies a try! Each cookie is made up of two lime sugar cookies sandwiching a sweet and creamy lime frosting. Their bright citrus taste really makes you think of summer.
I wasn’t too convinced that I would like lime cookies, but I had a few extra limes in the refrigerator and thought I’d give them a try. I’m so glad I did, because I loved them! The lime flavoring gives them such a different taste, and the combination of chewy cookies and creamy frosting is perfect. Mike liked them as well, and they were a big hit with my friends when I took them to a get together. They have such a fun and unique taste. If you’re looking for something sweet to brighten up your fall day and make you think of summer, these cookies are just the thing!
Lime Sandwich Cookies
Ingredients:
Cookie dough:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 Tbsp lime zest
1 Tablespoon lime juice
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1-2 drops green food coloring, optional
Dredging sugar
1 cup sugar
2 tsp lime zest
Filling
3 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
3 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
1 Tbsp lime zest
1 to 2 tsp lime juice, as needed
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper (or lightly grease). In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Beat in the egg, lime zest and lime juice. Mix in the flour, baking powder, salt and food coloring. For the dredging sugar, in a separate bowl combine the sugar and lime zest. Scoop the dough, 1 tsp per cookie, and roll in flavored sugar. Place on the prepared baking sheets and press flat with the bottom of a glass dipped in the sugar mixture. Bake for 7-8 minutes, just until the edges turn light brown and the tops are puffy. Let cool on the cookie sheet.
For the icing: cream the cream cheese and shortening together until fluffy. Add the confectioners' sugar, 1 cup at a time. Beat in the lime zest and add lime juice as needed until the filling is the correct consistency. It's best to keep the filling rather stiff so that it doesn't squish out of the sides of the cookie. Spread the filling on top of one cookie and top with another cookie.
adapted from the King Arthur Flour Baking Sheet