Monday, May 26, 2008

Citrus Peace Offering

When the gracious and talented Helen of Tartelette announced that she was hosting Sugar High Friday, the monthly event created by Jennifer of The Domestic Goddess, with a theme of Citrus, I went into a citrus frenzy. Flipping through cookbook after cookbook, I looked for just the right recipe. This cake, that cookie, or those tarts? I was getting a little overwhelmed with choices when out of the blue my husband said, "You know what I miss? Those little lime cookies with powdered sugar on them."

Hmm, lime coolers. Yes, that could be good. Now for a recipe. My husband and I were on different computers in different rooms of the house IMing each other as we searched. I had a head start and each time he'd send me a link, it would be for something that I'd already looked at and rejected. I'd point out that powdered sugar was not an ingredient, and the links he was sending me with pictures of powdered sugar laden cookies were for cookies that you purchased. Due to the lag in IM, I was getting increasingly frustrated with the conversation. I ended up SHOUTING at him that he wasn't listening and I wasn't making the cookies. Then I slammed my laptop shut, the equivalent of stalking out of a door and slamming it behind you.



An argument over cookies? Rare, but it happens. But it didn't last. The next day in the paper I saw a recipe in the paper for lemon coolers. A sign from God to get over it? Yes. I dropped the pout, (actually it didn't last a full day), and modified the recipe to make it with limes and my husband was really pleased. A new favorite is born and peace reigns once again in the home of the cookie baker.

Lime Cooler Cookies

1 cup bleached all-purpose flour
3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar, divided
1 tsp finely grated lime zest
1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter, softened
1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and preheat oven to 350 deg. F. Line two cookie sheets with either parchment paper or Silpat.

In a medium bowl combine the flour, 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar and lime zest. Add the butter and vanilla; beat, either with a mixer or a wooden spoon, until a dough forms.

Drop dough by generous teaspoons onto the cookie sheet, spacing evenly. Bake one sheet at a time for about 15 minutes, until cookie bottoms are golden brown. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough.

Place the remaining 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar in a quart or gallon-sized zip-loc bag. Working with a dozen at a time, drop cookies into the sugar and shake to coat. The cookies must be completely cooled, or the powdered sugar will form slag. The lime cookies can be stored in an airtight tin for up to 1 week, but most likely they’ll be eaten much sooner than that.

29 comments:

  1. I love the name of those cookies, they sound perfect for a summer picnic in the park. Now, if only the weather would cooperate... :)

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  2. Wow, these sound alot like Russian teacakes (also known as Mexican wedding cakes). I'm surprised it was hard to find a recipe.

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  3. I don't blame him for missing those. I love lime(or lemon too) coolers.

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  4. Despite the little quarrel, I'm glad that the cookies turned out lovely - WONDERFUL and refreeshing contribution for this month's SHF, Lynn!!

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  5. A cookie spat? That's funny!
    Ian and I need to be supervised when making the bed as we have had some good quarrels over how the bed should be made...how dare he argue over how the bed is made with me. Making beds is part of my career!
    I like sound of these lime cooler cookies. What is powdered sugar slag... are you sure those aren't cooking 'naughty' words?

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  6. Oh Lynn you do make me chuckle! The cookies look divine! Would they cool me here today I wonder.

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  7. I'm amused that you and your husband had a series of miscommunications caused primarily by the fact that you were on laptops in different rooms! Ah well. Did he like the cookies?

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  8. Those sound yummy and the recipe really did just fall in your lap! It was meant to be! Also, thanks for all of your kind comments on my blog...I really appreciate it!

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  9. My first visit to your blog - love the cocaine cookies

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  10. I absolutely love limes. This recipe is great...doesn't use too many ingredients but I'm sure its packed with flavor. Bookmarked!

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  11. Lynn, you always write the best posts! I am glad it all worked out in the end. These are one of my favorite cookies!

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  12. You are so right, Lynn - these would never last a week here! They wouldn't even last a day... ;)

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  13. Fighting over cookies...the bedt kind of fight!! Thank you for your entry, they are indeed wonderful!

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  14. These look really good. I like the sound of a lime flavoured cookie.

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  15. that's too funny you and husband IM each other in the SAME HOUSE!!!

    Scott and I do that to each other and we are in the SAME ROOM!!!!

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  16. the lime with the cookies sound great!

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  17. so white and so pure . . . just marvellous!

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  18. My mom and I LOVE these cookies! We've had them in lemon, lime, and raspberry. Do you think they would freeze well? I'm going to have to give them a try some time. :)

    I think you should make a cookbook. I started a long time ago going through your recipes and making recipe cards for myself, but I fell behind AGES ago, lol.

    **doffs her cap and vanishes**

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  19. I make little shortbread cookies just like these without the lime. I will definitely be adding some lime next time thanks to your argument with your husband!

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  20. Gabe - I think these would freeze well without the powdered sugar. If you freeze them with the powdered sugar, they'd sweat as they thawed and make the sugar nasty and sticky. Bake, freeze, thaw, and roll in sugar just before serving.

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  21. These look fantastic - I love lime!

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  22. Mmmmm.... These sound FABULOUS! And IM'ing from different rooms of the house? What a great story to go with a great recipe! Thanks!

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  23. Wow, these look amazing, who knew they took so few ingredients?! I've gotta try these! Thanks Lynn for posting these.

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  24. What a simple and delicious looking cookie!

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  25. Mmmm, I haven't had Lemon Coolers in ages - and I'd much prefer Lime ones. I had no idea there were so few ingredients. I'll definitely be making these! Thanks!!!

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  26. I bet finely chopped pistachios would be a nice addition to this cookie.

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  27. These sound so good. I'm trying them tonight!

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  28. I never thought to cover them in powdered sugar...yum! I will definitely bake these up next time over my usual lime cooler cookies:
    http://www.cookeatdelicious.com/sweets-recipes/cookies-recipes/refreshing-lime-cooler-cookies-recipe.html

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