Key Lime Cooler Cookies (with free printable labels for gifts)

By Chris Scheuer | Updated on July 6, 2025
5 from 5 votes
These Key Lime Cooler Cookies are crisp, buttery shortbreads, cloaked in a cool cloud of powdered sugar. There is an EXPLOSION of fabulous lime flavor as they melt in your mouth!

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These Key Lime Cooler Cookies are crisp, buttery shortbreads, cloaked in a cool cloud of powdered sugar. There is an EXPLOSION of fabulous lime flavor as they melt in your mouth!

These Key Lime Cooler Cookies were inspired by a trip to Savannah, Georgia that Scott and I enjoyed a few weeks ago.

Horizontal closeup photo of a batch of Key Lime Cooler Cookies on a white scalloped pedestal serving plate.

An inspirational tour

I'm generally not a fan of store-bought cookies even if they come from a specialty "cookie store" because, when cookies are mass-produced, they tend to decline in flavor and quality. So when we passed a store in downtown Savannah called Byrd Cookie Company, I walked right past, not giving it a second thought. However later that day, Scott and I participated in a historical/culinary walking tour that, in a roundabout way,  led us back to the cookie shop.

Led by an entertaining and knowledgeable guide, we walked through several of the famous Savannah squares, toured the old Savannah Cotton Exchange and meandered along the beautiful city riverfront while learning about the food traditions, restaurants, history, and culture that have shaped this beloved southern city.

We also visited a selection of cafés, food boutiques and restaurants and were able to sample some delicious local cuisine. We did NOT visit Byrd Cookies but, towards the end of the tour, our guide stated quite emphatically, "Don't leave Savannah without stopping at the Byrd Cookie Company! They give out free samples of their Key Lime Coolers and they are SO good!"

The inspiration

Not being ones to be disobedient, we headed right over to the Byrd Cookie Company after the tour was completed and requested a sample. The gentleman behind the counter removed the top from a large glass jar, and with a tongs, fished out a cookie for each of us. We looked at them, unimpressed - Byrd Key Lime Coolers are not fancy, just bite-size, powdered sugar-covered cookies.

However, when Scott and I popped the samples in our mouths, the cookies were wonderfully crisp with an EXPLOSION of fabulous lime flavor. The heavy layer of powdered sugar gives them a taste of "coolness" in your mouth. We were both stunned (in a deliciously good way)!

Our guide was right, they "are SO good"! We purchased a small bag to take home. The next day, we went back.. for a BIG bag... (you know, for research purposes). I was quite smitten and knew I had to recreate this amazing little confection!

Horizontal closeup photo of a batch of Key Lime Cooler Cookies on a scalloped white pedestal serving plate.

Research and testing

We thoroughly enjoyed our week in Savannah but I couldn't wait to get back and start working on these Key Lime Cooler Cookies.

Of course, the first thing I did was to google "Key Lime Cooler Cookies". There were lots of results... to be precise, 1,980,000!

Some of the recipes I looked at called for lime extract and some called for lime juice powder to get that explosion of lime flavor. I discarded those options because I wanted a cookie that could be created with ingredients you could find at any small-town or big-city grocery store.

I tried several of the normal ingredient recipes and each one had a little lime flavor but not the explosion I was looking for. I was determined not to give up.

Tweaking and transformation of an old friend

The other problem was that the recipes I tried didn't yield crisp cookies like the ones we had experienced in Savannah. After several fails, I decided to go with an old faithful friend, my super easy, one-bowl, no-mixer shortbread recipe that has morphed, over the years, into a zillion variations.

I added lime zest to the dough then rolled the dough into balls and flattened them with the bottom of a glass. That worked well and resulted in delicious crisp cookies. BUT the BIG pop of lime still wasn't there.

I tried several ways of adding lime zest to the powdered sugar but wasn't happy with any of them. In the end, I just brushed the cookies with a glaze fortified with lots of fresh lime zest, then let them dry and finished things with a heavy sprinkle of powdered sugar.

I'm super happy with the results... crisp buttery shortbread cookies cloaked in a cool cloud of powdered sugar, with an EXPLOSION of bright lime flavor! Scott says, "They're better than the Savannah cookies!" I agree!

Vertical photo of a batch of Key Lime Cooler Cookies on a scalloped white pedestal serving late with glasses of milk in the background.

Easy and uncomplicated

So there you have it, the story of these delicious Key Lime Cooler Cookies. Like all of our shortbread cookies, you'll just need one bowl and a spatula to make the dough. The glaze is even easier. But the results are out-of-this-world-delicious! They're perfect any time of day (trust me, I've tested this).

In case you're skeptical about this recipe being easy, we've created a video demonstration. Check it out:

Vertical extreme closeup of a batch of Key Lime Cooler Cookies.

Enjoy and share!

They pair beautifully with a tall glass of cold milk, a mug of coffee or tea and they make a lovely sweet treat for a brunch, lunch or after-dinner encore.

These Key Lime Cooler Cookies also make a wonderful gift to give to family, friends, neighbors, co-workers... anyone you want to share a little love with. And if you want to make your gift extra special, we've created a pretty, free, printable label that we're happy to share with you.

Enter your name and email above to receive an instant download, plus printing tips to get you started. You'll also receive fresh recipe inspiration from The Café... easy, elegant recipes and ideas to enjoy and share.

Get your free printable labels...

a box of key lime cooler cookies packaged in a white box with a clear lid and tied with a bright green ribbon complete with a custom label.

Horizontal closeup photo of a white windowed gift box with a custom Key Lime Cooler Cookies label for gift giving.

So take a lovely culinary trip to Savannah with these crisp, buttery, cloaked-in-a-cool-cloud-of-powdered sugar Key Lime Cooler Cookies. When you taste the EXPLOSION of fresh lime flavor, you (and everyone you share them with) will be "wowed"!

Vertical photo of a batch of Key Lime Cooler Cookies on a scalloped white pedestal serving plate with glasses of milk in the background.

Cafe Tips for Making These Key Lime Cooler Cookies

  • I must confess, I use regular limes, not Key limes for these Key Lime Cooler Cookies with wonderful results. Key limes are delicious but a pain to zest and squeeze because they're so small. Feel free to use either Key or regular limes!
  • Because there's no mixer used, the butter needs to be very soft when mixing up these Key Lime Cooler Shortbread Cookies. Either let the butter come to room temperature by letting it sit out overnight or you can use the microwave. A short stint in the microwave on power level 10 (10%) works like magic to soften butter. You'll need to experiment a bit with your microwave though, as they're all different. Start with 20 or 30-second increments at power level 10 until you learn how long your microwave will take to get the butter nice and soft, but not melted.
  • You'll need a small fine-mesh sieve or a powdered sugar duster for this recipe. A powdered sugar duster is a nice kitchen tool but a small sieve is more practical as it can be used for lots of other purposes.
  • You'll also need a microplane zester for zesting the limes. These zesters are also great for grating hard cheeses, chocolate, ginger, garlic...
  • Cornstarch in shortbread? Yes! A small amount of cornstarch helps the cookies to keep a nice shape in the oven and adds to the crisp texture.
  • There's also a small portion of cornstarch in the powdered sugar coating. Professional bakers use a type of powdered sugar called "snow sugar". It keeps powdered sugar from melting into cookies, pastries, etc. This powdered sugar/cornstarch combination is a DIY snow sugar and helps keep the cookies well coated.

Thought for the day:

Lift up your eyes on high
And see who has created these stars,
The One who leads forth their host by number,
He calls them all by name;
Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power,
Not one of them is missing. 
Isaiah 40:26

What we're listening to for inspiration:

How Great Thou Art

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Key Lime Cooler Cookies

Chris Scheuer
These Key Lime Cooler Cookies are crisp, buttery shortbreads, cloaked in a cool cloud of powdered sugar. There is an EXPLOSION of fabulous lime flavor as they melt in your mouth!
5 from 5 votes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 40 cookies
Calories 83

Ingredients
 
 

For the dough:

  • 8 ounces (2 sticks) very soft butter, I use salted butter
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • finely grated zest from 1 medium-size lime
  • ¼ cup corn starch
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

For the glaze:

  • finely grated zest from 2 medium size limes
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

For the powdered sugar sprinkle

  • ¼ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions
 

For the prep:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350˚F.
  2. Line two sheet pans with parchment paper. Set aside.

For the dough:

  1. In a medium-large bowl, combine the butter, vanilla extract and lime zest. Stir until smooth and no lumps remain.
  2. Add the sugar and sir until smooth and thoroughly combined.
  3. Add the flour and cornstarch and stir until all flour is incorporated. It may seem like too much flour at first, but just keep mixing until it's incorporated. (Sometimes at the end, I use my hand and give the dough a couple of squeezes to bring the dough together.)
  4. Scoop up the dough into 2 teaspoon-size portions. (if you like to weigh things, I made mine about a half ounce or 15g and get about 40 portions.) Roll each one in your hands and space at least an inch apart on the 2 prepared pans.
  5. With a flat-bottomed glass dipped in sugar, press each cookie gently to flatten. I like to flatten mine to about 1 inch (25-30mm) in diameter - slightly larger than the size of a quarter coin.
  6. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a light golden brown then remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the glaze:

  1. While the cookies are cooling, make the glaze.
  2. Zest the two limes and transfer the zest to a cutting board. Finely chop the zest then transfer it to a small bowl or measuring cup.
  3. Add the powdered sugar, lime juice and lime zest and stir with a fork or small whisk until smooth.
  4. Place sheet pan or a piece of parchment under the cooling rack (there will be drips from the glaze) and flip each cookie over so that the bottoms are facing up on the cooling rack.
  5. Brush each cookie bottom with the glaze. Allow the cookies to dry for 10 minutes then flip them back over and brush the tops generously with the glaze.
  6. Allow the glaze to dry completely (30-60 minutes).

For the powdered sugar sprinkle:

  1. Combine the powdered sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl and stir well to combine.
  2. Using a small fine-mesh sieve or a powdered sugar duster, sprinkle a piece of parchment paper (large enough for all of the cookies) generously with the powdered sugar/cornstarch mixture. Place the cookies on the parchment and sprinkle the top of each cookie with a thick layer of powdered sugar. (The powdered sugar-covered parchment allows the bottoms of the cookies to get coated while you sprinkle the tops.)
  3. Store in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper. (Try to save a few to give away!)

Notes

See Café Tips above in the post for more detailed instructions and tips to ensure success.
If you prefer to use Metric measurements there is a button in each of our recipes, right above the word “Instructions”. Just click that button to toggle to grams, milliliters, etc. If you ever come across one of our recipes that doesn’t have the Metric conversion (some of the older recipes may not), feel free to leave a comment and I will add it.

Nutrition

Calories: 83kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 1gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 37mgPotassium: 8mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 142IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 0.3mg
Course: Cookies, Dessert
Cuisine: American

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189 Comments

  1. I’m making these this week and would really love the labels for gifting. In case I don’t eat all of them lol!

  2. Hi. These cookies are delicious! I'm making another batch this week. Could you please send me the labels? I'd appreciate it.

    Joyce

  3. I would appreciate the labels please. I’m giving these a try this afternoon. I’ll let you know how I did.

  4. I love LIME! Will definitely be making these for a little, summer birthday party! Please send me the labels! Family and friends will want to take some home, too!

  5. I’m definitely trying these… they sound amazing! Thankyou for sharing the recipe. May I please have a copy of the labels. Thankyou.

  6. I will be trying these on my husband….the key lime pie expert. We spend a lot of time in Key West, Florida!
    Could I have the label PDF please?

  7. OMG, these smell fabulous! One of my girls will eat anything key lime, but she has to smell it coming. 🙂

    Thank you for a great recipe. Please send the label. Have a great holiday.

  8. I love anything lime and look forward to adding these cookies to my Christmas baking. Thank you also for the tip about the icing sugar on top. I make an almond crescent and have always had trouble with the Icing sugar melting into the top when I store them. Would you please send me the labels. Thank you and Merry Christmas.

  9. I love the lime coolers from the Byrd Company in Savannah. I’ll have to try these for Christmas! Please send me the labels, too!

  10. Hi Chris,
    Might be a crazy question but could I make these key lime shortbread cookie dough, roll it and cut out shapes?
    We love this recipe and I thought it would make yummy Christmas tree cookies.

    1. Hi Maggie, that's not a crazy question at all. Yes, that will work well. I make cutout shortbread cookies frequently from this base recipe!

  11. Hi Chris,
    You probably won't remember my previous email after you posted this recipe - I asked about your culinary walking tour as we and two other couples planned to be close to Savannah in the fall. I just had to write to tell you that we booked with the company you recommented - Savannah Taste Experience - and today did the First Squares tour with Josh as our guide. It was awesome!! The weather was great, the food was tremendous, and Josh was so entertaining. We made our way to Byrd Cookie Company after the tour as you did and tasted (bought) a bag of the key lime cooler as well as a few more flavours. I'm looking forward to trying my hand at them with your recipe when we get back to Ontario, Canada. Thank you again for your recommendation! We had a deliciously, wonderful afternoon in beautiful, tasty Savannah!

    1. I do remember you, Cindi, and I'm so happy you enjoyed Savannah. It's such a lovely city. Hope you enjoy the cookie recipe too! It's a fun way to experience Savannah all over again!

  12. May I please have the lovely labels to go with my "new" cookies -
    I am sure they will be a hit if my family's appetite is anything to go by.
    Glynis

  13. Georgia girl that love those famous Savannah cookies! Looking forward to trying your version. Would love the labels.

  14. I'm making these for the 4th and can't wait! Could you please forward the labels to me?
    Also, I'm a bit confused about the amount of butter "8 ounces, 2 cubes".. do I add 8 oz AND 2 cubes?
    Thank you for sharing your talent and for your precious thoughts for the day!

    1. Hi Linda, sorry it that was confusing. I take it you don't live in the States. Here in the US,butter is sold in "sticks", each one being 4 ounces. So, no, you don't need any more than the 8 ounces of butter.

  15. Another yummy looking recipe, perfect for summer. I love reading your cookie discovery story and your attempts at re-creating the special cookie. Can’t wait to attempt this recipe! Can you please send the lovely labels that go along with these cookies? Thanks so much!

      1. Hey, can’t wait to make these? Could you please send the labels? Also, thank you for the Bible verse and song after each recipe!

  16. I am anxious to try this . Just this morning I made your delicious banana scones for part of Father's Day breakfast. Before I try this, I must first tell you how impressed I am with your academic like research to achieve your goal of recreating a culinary treat. Which you appear to do with dogged determination. Added to that, you manage to produce a.recipe we mere.mortals can attempt and always receive such high praise it is embarrassing. And many times I take all the credit myself 😉.
    I will make these for a friend who loves key lime pie. This will make a.nicw birthday gift. May I also have the labels for that presentation. And.many many thanks for this site and your efforts. Although I suspect you enjoy what you are doing. Brava!

  17. Well, it looks like you have done it again! Another delicious recipe and I'm so glad you did. Please may I have the labels to compliment these gorgeous little bites of happiness.
    Thank you, for all your time and for being so kind to share with us.

  18. Hi Chris, your latest one bowl wonder looks inviting. Can’t wait to try. Would it be possible to have the labels for this? Thanks, I would really appreciate it.
    Linda Myers

  19. Hi there, just heading out shopping for limes, recipe sounds scrumptious! Sure would appreciate the labels for when I hand the resulting "yumminess" to family and friends! Bev

  20. My absolute favorite cookie recipe.
    No other cookie comes close. These are a melting explosion of lime.
    I’m planning on serving these at a meeting this fall. It will be interesting watching people’s expressions.
    I’m sure there will be many requests for the recipe.

  21. I have had the Byrd Key Lime Coolers and have been searching for a good copycat recipe! I was so excited to find yours! I can't wait to try these from the source that never fails me!! I can always count on your recipes to be the best! I would love the printable labels. Thank you for enhancing my culinary skills!!!

  22. I would love to have these labels for key lime cookies. I am from Savannah, actually Tybee. I know all their cookies well. I aways load up on their cookies for give aways when I go home. I will as usual be making your version and most or your other treats as. Thank you for being so creative and sharing with us.

  23. I love key lime pie. I jusr know these are delicious as well. I would like to receive the labels please. Thanks for the great recipes.

  24. These sound incredible! I love lime. Can't wait to try them. Any chance you would share the company you did your historic/culinary food tour with? We will be in Savannah from Ontario, Canada in the fall and would love to partake!

  25. Hi there - greetings from rural Queensland Australia - these are delicious cookies. Am making some for the next market stall for our local cat rescue shelter & the labels will make them as good as they taste.

  26. I love your site and recipes are always good! Especially these cookies!!!!! Please send me the printable labels as these are too good not to share!

  27. Your Key Lime Cooler Cookies look and sound delicious! I’d like to try making some real soon. May I please have the pdf for the labels? I’d appreciate it so much! Thank you!

  28. Chris, these look amazing! We are planning to be in Savannah in the fall. Would you mind sharing the name of the company you used for the historical/culinary walking tour? We would love to book with them on your recommendation.

  29. I'll be off the the grocery to pick up the cookie recipe ingredients. I can't wait. My mouth is drooling already (not).
    But it would if it could.
    I would enjoy sharing them and the recipe to fiends so am delighted to take up your offer of your printable labels.

  30. You are my favorite recipe site...never a failed recipe! Thank you for sending me the labels for the lime cooler cookies. These look like key lime cookies I purchased in Key West, and I expect they will be even better.

  31. I am so glad that I found your page. Your recipes always appeal to me and my family. And...your labels to adorn a treat are the Best!
    Thank you!

  32. Another delicious sounding recipe that I can’t wait to try and give away! Please send the printable labels.
    Thank you,
    Teri

  33. Hi Chris,
    These cookies sound so refreshing and delicious, would love the labels.
    Thank you for always providing recipes for sharing and your beautiful labels.
    Brigitte

  34. Must confess that I ALMOST bypassed this recipe...I've never seen Meyer lemons here in Alberta, Canada 🇨🇦. But my brain then short circuited and I thought "Hmm. Maybe I could adapt the recipe to orange - hopefully Creamsicle flavored cookies. "
    And then discovered, upon reading the narrative, that you use regular limes also . Yippee!
    But...this is me, so of COURSE I have a question. What kind of sugar are you dipping the glass in? Granulated or powdered? I didn't see a listing in the ingredients to account for the extra.
    And...under "For the glaze:", you've added the zest in both steps 2 & 3.
    🙏 I'd love the pdf for the labels, please. Thanks so much!

  35. Hi Chris, the cookies look delicious. I would appreciate it if you could send the free labels my way .
    Thanks,
    Linda Myers

  36. Hi, I can't wait to try these wonderful cookies. Please send me the labels, I know someone who would just love them.
    I love your baking ideas and had tried many of them, never disappointed.
    Thank you for all your great recipes
    Gail.

  37. These Key Lime Cooler Cookies sound wonderful and I can’t wait to give them a try! I love lime! They would make an amazing ‘sweet treat’ to present to someone special, so I’d really appreciate if you could send the free printable labels.
    Thank you for all your delicious recipes .. your site is definitely at the top of my favourites!!

  38. Hi I love this recipe !!! Could you send me the labels 0
    Please. I can’t wait to make a wonderful gift with the labels

  39. Can’t wait to try these. I love the Byrd Cookie co. Please send the labels for your cookies. Thank you!

      1. Hi Marguerite, I store them in an airtight container in layers separated with parchment paper. Sending the labels now.

  40. What a beautiful summertime gift and being a cafesucrefarine recipe I am sure they taste heavenly! Thank you, Chris! I would love the labels. Need to share the joy .

  41. I love anything lime, and these cookies sound fabulous! Please send me the labels in case I decide to share.

  42. My son-in-law loves lemons. Do you think that I could substitute lemons for the limes? Thanks for your wonderful recipes

  43. Can't wait to try these little gems! I would love to receive the FREE PRINTABLE LABELS! Thank you for offering them to your followers.

  44. These cookies sound so so good! Have been to Savannah once and would love to go back for another visit. I have to try these cookies! Please and thank you for labels. Your hard work is so appreciated.

  45. I love these lime cookies… And I love Savannah too. I have the statue from the garden of the Evil by my front door. I brought her home all the way from Savannah…
    Please send me the label. I'd love to be able to give these… What box did you use your strawberry jam and I used your kind of squishy Glass jars… They have a bulbus round in the middle… What do you use for the tops…

    1. That's awesome, Shandongayle! Just tried to send the labels but they were returned. Perhaps your email was incorrect?

  46. I remember how happy I was as a kid when my mother bought lemon coolers! Can't wait to try these. Please send the labels. Thank you!

  47. Can’t wait to try these! We love your shortbread cookie recipe, so I know this is going to be spectacular!

    Would you please send me the link to the labels? Valkmt@gmail.com

    Thank you!!

    Victoria Love

  48. I can't wait to try these. My active adult community is having a High Tea in may, and I think these would be the perfect contribution.
    And, of course, I would love to have the labels. Thank you so much for providing so many beautiful labels, so I can always present the perfect little home baked gifts to my neighbors.

  49. A coworker brought something like this, maybe even these exact ones, back from a vacation. This must be 35 years ago. I tried to make them and resorted to lime Kool aid powder to get the lime flavour.
    I’ll definitely be giving these a try.
    Thank so much.

    Please sent the printable labels.

  50. I just read all about your Savannah adventure, what fun. I can't wait to try this recipe! Please send me the labels, I have the boxes and ribbon!
    Best,
    Sandy

  51. Oh my, these cookies look amazing-I cannot wait to try them. I have a lime tree so it is the perfect recipe for a cookie.

    Please send the the label.

    Thank you!

    1. Hi Eileen, just tried to send the labels but my email was returned. Perhaps you typed an incorrect email??

    1. That is correct, Jan! The cookies would spread too much if you added lime juice to the dough. The glaze gives that wonderful pop of lime!

  52. Love making cookies. My grand daughter loves lime anything. Can’t wait to make these for her. Please forward file for labels.

  53. Made your shortbread cookies dozens of times, excited to make these today. Live your blog, would love the labels for these. Jan Vala