Coconut and Lime Frosted Soft Sugar Cookies

by Heidi Published: Nov 29, 2017 Updated: Oct 2, 2023

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Soft and pillowy, these incredibly easy to make sugar cookies are flavored with fresh squeezed lime juice and grated lime zest then topped with a coconut flavored cream cheese frosting and even more sweet coconut for a sweetened citrus flavor in every bite.

I usually save the phrase “little pillows of heaven” for when I’m bellied up to the bar of my favorite Italian restaurant gushing over my bowl of Gnocchi alla Norma, that when cooked just right, is indeed heaven sent. But today, I’m extending my catchphrase to these soft and easy-to-make sugar cookies because they totally deserve it.

The recipe isn’t mine, but it’s one I’m more than happy to share.

I recently asked you lovely readers to submit your favorite Christmas cookie so I could select one to share on today’s Facebook Live “All Things Cookies!” cooking show (at 11 am MST on Facebook/foodiecrush and on replay all day AND we’re giving away a KitchenAid stand mixer!) and I’m pleased as lime and coconut punch to say this.is.it., your new favorite, any-day-is-a-holiday cookie.

While these cookies are perfectly poised for holiday toasting, they’re also totally appropriate for a wedding/bridal/baby shower, Easter celebration, and especially Cinco de Mayo. Pass the tequila and olé!

This cookie recipe was submitted by Sara G who said it’s her favorite for any day (she loves the summery flavors all year long) and is one of her most favorite to dress up for Christmas. While pregnant, Sara had a craving for coconut, lime,and everything tropical flavored.

To cure Sara’s craving, her sister made these cookies for her, and BOOM! The sweet cure had been found. “She’s a pretty awesome sister,” Sara says. I’d have to totally agree.

How to Make Soft Coconut Lime Sugar Cookies

This dough is anything but complicated, with basic ingredients, just a few steps for mixing, and a simple cream cheese and butter frosting. The hardest part of these cookies is deciding how to decorate them.

The fun thing about these cookies is you can dress them up like Nicole Kidman or Rhi Rhi, or leave ’em plain like just about any old Jane.

I went more Kate Blanchett style and gave them a classic swirl with white frosting, a sprinkling of coconut flakes, and sanding sugar for a super crystallized glimmer to light up any Christmas cookie party. And like every stunning outfit, just a hint of color to accessorize. Lime green, natch.

Sara took these cookies to her holiday cookie exchange festived up with a holiday red frosting topped with a sliver of lime. You could always use different colors of sprinkles, and add even more grated lime zest to the top for color, and you can leave the coconut on or off depending on your mood or even bake it inside the cookie dough and leave the frosting off entirely.

But really, why would you?

To shape the cookies, I used a #24 cookie scoop (3 tablespoons) then sprinkled the tops of each ball with a little of the sugar and salt mixture, and used the bottom of a glass jar to press them into flattened circles. Schmear a little cookie dough on the bottom of the glass, just enough to dirty it a bit so the sugar mixture will stick to the glass.

Press the cookies with even pressure to create a well-rounded circle with shaggy edges. The rustic look proves these homemade babies are made with heart.

When frosting the cookies, I like to leave a bit of cookie showing instead of running the frosting all the way to the edge. Especially with this lighter shade of cookie it adds dimension and texture instead of a slick slather of frosting.

For the lime toppers, slice the limes super thin into slivers as thin as you can get them without tearing. Then, cut into half moons or quarters. Slicing them thin makes them easy to chew along with the cookie for an extra burst of citrus that after taste-testing I started saving for the last bite. Why? Because like this cookie recipe, it’s the best.

Thank you for your recipe Sara!

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If you make this recipe, please let me know! Bookmark this recipe and leave a comment below, or take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #foodiecrusheats.

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