Coconut Key Lime Crinkle Cookies

Posted on May 11, 2025

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🍋 Coconut Key Lime Crinkle Cookies: Sunshine Baked into Every Bite

Hey there, cookie lovers! Chef Jamie here, back with another sweet treat straight from my childhood recipe box—and trust me, you’re going to want to bookmark this one. If you’ve ever wished you could bottle up a tropical breeze and bake it into something soft, zesty, and coated in powdered sugar, I’ve got the cookie for you.

Let me introduce you to Coconut Key Lime Crinkle Cookies—or as my grandma called them, her “sunshine bites.” These little crinkle cookies are the ultimate summer mood. Bright, citrusy key lime flavor meets creamy coconut with a sweet, soft interior and that classic powdered sugar crackle. The result? A tropical twist on a beloved classic that feels like vacation in every bite.

Whether you’re baking for a backyard BBQ, a pool party dessert spread, or just want to bring some island vibes into your kitchen, this cookie delivers with ease and flavor. Let’s dive into the story, ingredients, and step-by-step directions to make your next batch a breeze!

💛 The Memory That Started It All

Every summer evening growing up in Florida, the scent of lime and coconut would drift from my grandma’s screen door and float into the humid air like a culinary love letter. Her kitchen was always warm (both from the oven and from her heart), and on those evenings, she’d whip up her “sunshine bites”—Coconut Key Lime Crinkle Cookies.

She served them with sweet tea on the porch, where we’d sit barefoot, watching dragonflies zip by and fireflies light up the dusk. To her, these cookies were more than dessert—they were a moment. A mood. A memory in the making. And now, I’m bringing that same energy to your kitchen.

🧾 Your Coconut Key Lime Cookie Ingredient Lineup

Before we roll up our sleeves, let’s gather our cookie crew:

½ cup unsalted butter, softened – Room temperature butter is essential for the creaming process and gives you those soft, bakery-style cookies.
1 cup granulated sugar – The sweet base that pairs perfectly with citrus zing.
2 large eggs – These help with structure and add moisture.
¼ cup key lime juice – Fresh is best if you’ve got it, but bottled key lime juice works great too (and saves your fingers from citrus fatigue).
1 tbsp key lime zest – Don’t skip this! The zest delivers the bright aroma and flavor that really brings the cookie to life.
½ tsp coconut extract – Adds a tropical punch without overwhelming the lime.
2¼ cups all-purpose flour – This keeps the cookies soft and thick.
1 tsp baking powder + ½ tsp baking soda – Our leavening agents for the perfect cookie puff.
¼ tsp salt – Just enough to balance the sweet.
½ cup shredded sweetened coconut – Brings texture and flavor without being chewy or dry.
½ cup powdered sugar – For that signature crinkle finish.

👩‍🍳 How to Make Coconut Key Lime Crinkle Cookies

This recipe comes together easily with simple steps. Here’s how to create your own bite of sunshine:

1. Preheat & Prep

Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This helps the cookies bake evenly and makes cleanup a breeze.

2. Cream It Up

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2–3 minutes with an electric mixer. You’re looking for a pale, whipped texture—that’s when you know you’ve trapped enough air to get that dreamy cookie softness.

3. Add Wet Ingredients

Crack in your eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Then stir in the key lime juice, zest, and coconut extract. Take a second to inhale. If you don’t immediately picture yourself lounging under a palm tree, you may need more zest. 😉

4. Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add this to your wet mixture in batches, stirring until fully combined.

5. Fold in Coconut

Once the dough is mixed, gently fold in the shredded coconut. This adds a chewy, lightly toasted texture to your soft cookie base.

6. Chill Out

Chill your dough for at least 30 minutes. This step is key—it prevents the cookies from spreading too much and lets the flavors meld.

7. Roll & Coat

Scoop 1-inch balls of dough and roll them in powdered sugar until generously coated. Don’t be shy—the more sugar, the more defined your cookie crinkles will be!

8. Bake

Place the cookie balls 2 inches apart on your lined sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the edges are set and the tops have that iconic crinkle pattern.

9. Cool & Enjoy

Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Serve warm for a gooey bite or cooled for that chewy coconut-lime perfection.

🍪 What You’ll Love About These Cookies

These Coconut Key Lime Crinkle Cookies are:

Soft and tender inside
Beautifully crinkled on the outside
Packed with bright citrus flavor
Lightly chewy from the coconut
Easy to freeze, store, and share

And the best part? They look like little edible clouds. Golden edges, crinkled tops, and powdered sugar dusted like tropical snow. They’re almost too pretty to eat—almost.

📝 Tips & Tricks for Cookie Success

Zest before you juice. It’s 1000x easier, and you won’t be trying to zest a slippery lime half.
Use parchment paper or a silicone mat. It helps keep the bottoms from browning too fast.
Want a stronger coconut flavor? Add 1–2 tablespoons of toasted coconut on top before baking.
Baking at high altitude? Reduce baking soda by 1/8 tsp and increase flour by 2 tablespoons.

📦 Storing & Freezing Tips

Short-Term: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Long-Term: Freeze unbaked, sugar-coated dough balls for up to 1 month. Bake straight from frozen—just add a minute or two to the baking time.

📋 Nutritional Snapshot (Per Cookie)

Calories: ~110
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Carbs: 16g
Sugar: 10g
Protein: 1g
Fiber: 0.5g
Sodium: 70mg

✨ Who Will You Bake These For?

Cookies are made for sharing—so tell me: Who would you bake these Coconut Key Lime Crinkle Cookies for? Your best friend who needs a pick-me-up? Your neighbor who always brings in your trash cans? Yourself, because self-care is real?

Tag them, text them, or better yet—bake a batch and drop them off wrapped in parchment and tied with twine. It’s the kind of gesture Grandma would be proud of. 💛