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Lime Meltaways

[heart_this] · Dec 9, 2010 · 69 Comments

Lime Meltaways

It just wouldn’t be the holidays without some form of shortbread and one of the things that I like so much about shortbread, other than its buttery melt in your mouth goodness, is that it is easy to change things up by adding different flavours. I found this recipe for lime ‘meltaway’ shortbread cookies on use real butter a while ago and I had been itching to make them. With the dull and dreary winter weather setting in, it seemed like the perfect time to pull out some limes to ward off the gloominess, even if just for a few moments. There is just something magical about dusting shortbread in powdered sugar from its reminder of and hope for a white Christmas to the way that it quickly melts in you mouth delivering its sweetness. Although these cookies can be a bit messy, I recommend using a plate and napkins, they are certainly worth it! The initial hit of sweetness gives way to the buttery shortbread and then lime flavour comes through finishing off everything nicely.

Lime Meltaways

Lime Meltaways

Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes Servings: 24
ingredients
  • 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter (room temperature)
  • 1/3 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 limes (zest)
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 3/4 cups + 2 tablespoons flour
  • 2 tablespoons corn starch
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2/3 cup powdered sugar
directions
  1. Cream the butter with the powdered sugar.
  2. Beat in the lime zest, lime juice and vanilla.
  3. Mix the flour, cornstarch and salt in a large bowl.
  4. Beat the dry ingredients into the wet.
  5. Roll the dough out into a 1 1/4 inch log.
  6. Wrap in plastic and let chill in the fridge for at least an hour.
  7. Slice the dough into 1/4 in thick slices and place them on a baking sheet, 1 inch apart from each other.
  8. Bake in a preheated 350F/180C oven until just lightly golden brown, about 12-15 minutes.
  9. Let cool on a wire rack for 4 minutes.
  10. Dredge cookies in powdered sugar to coat.
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Cookie, Food, Recipe, Vegetarian

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Victoria (The District Chocoholic) says

    December 9, 2010 at 4:34 am

    These look like they are begging to be dipped in chocolate. Maybe just in my brain. Yummy either way.

    Reply
  2. Jennifer says

    December 9, 2010 at 4:35 am

    Interesting! Lime works in pie oh-so-well so these cookies must be delish! <3

    xoXOxo
    Jenn @ Peas & Crayons

    Reply
  3. Kathryn says

    December 9, 2010 at 5:08 am

    nothing better then buttery biscuits… except maybe buttery biscuits with lime??

    Reply
  4. Anisha says

    December 9, 2010 at 5:25 am

    OMG sounds delicious absolutely seduced by your description am definitely going to try this out 🙂

    Reply
  5. Jason Gaskins says

    December 9, 2010 at 5:42 am

    Oh wow, I have to try this!

    Reply
  6. Leah says

    December 9, 2010 at 6:17 am

    i never thought of using limes in shortbread! Great idea ill have to try it 🙂

    Reply
  7. Rosa's Yummy Yums says

    December 9, 2010 at 6:23 am

    Those are fabulous!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply
  8. Olga P says

    December 9, 2010 at 6:34 am

    Simple, quick and tasty. Exactly what is needed!

    Reply
  9. Faith Arlen says

    December 9, 2010 at 6:53 am

    Oh WOW. I have been wanting to use lime in baking more! These look fantastic!!!

    Reply
  10. jose manuel says

    December 9, 2010 at 7:39 am

    Que curiosas galletas, tienen que tener un sabor muy rico.

    Saludos

    Reply
  11. chriesi says

    December 9, 2010 at 8:56 am

    Sounds very good!

    Reply
  12. Anonymous says

    December 9, 2010 at 10:18 am

    F A B U L O U S !
    🙂 Mandy

    Reply
  13. Paula says

    December 9, 2010 at 10:27 am

    these cookies looks so delicious!

    Reply
  14. Joanne says

    December 9, 2010 at 11:20 am

    I've seen so many christmas cookies lately that I don't know where to begin! These sound delicious!

    Reply
  15. bellini valli says

    December 9, 2010 at 11:41 am

    I can see how these would be the perfect addition to a holiday tray Kevin.

    Reply
  16. Anncoo says

    December 9, 2010 at 12:50 pm

    Sounds so yummy :))

    Reply
  17. Belinda @zomppa says

    December 9, 2010 at 2:21 pm

    Love citrus things…especially if covered in powdered sugar!

    Reply
  18. The Urban Baker says

    December 9, 2010 at 2:53 pm

    i love lime meltaways. yours look perfect!

    Reply
  19. Stefania says

    December 9, 2010 at 3:59 pm

    Semplicemente deliziosi, ciao

    Reply
  20. Karen from Globetrotter Diaries says

    December 9, 2010 at 4:16 pm

    lime/lemon flavored desserts are my favorite so I was excited to see these. They look delicious!

    Reply
  21. Dani says

    December 9, 2010 at 6:23 pm

    sounds like a refreshing cookie 🙂

    Reply
  22. meeso says

    December 9, 2010 at 10:08 pm

    If you're gonna put "meltaways" in the title, I'm gonna wanna eat it 😉

    Reply
  23. AB says

    December 10, 2010 at 12:38 am

    YAY. I've been wanting to make these and couldn't find a recipe I liked…thank you.

    Reply
  24. Antonietta says

    December 10, 2010 at 12:50 am

    yes please!!

    Reply
  25. Soma says

    December 10, 2010 at 12:52 am

    This melts my heart.. so pretty!

    Reply
  26. Ana Powell says

    December 10, 2010 at 9:28 am

    Hi Kevin
    Yesterday I browsed your Blog but could not leave any comment.
    Today I had to return for these delicious cookies.
    I want to make them.
    Have a great weekend ♥

    Reply
  27. amarone wine says

    December 10, 2010 at 11:09 am

    when it comes to cooking, I’m having second thoughts, it’s just that I am not so good at it; I really don’t have the magic to make such tasty food. Good for you 🙂

    Reply
  28. Rachel says

    December 10, 2010 at 12:00 pm

    These do look good.

    Just wanted to let you know that the Presto Pasta Nights roundup is now live over at the Crispy Cook. Thanks for sending in your Crab Mac and Cheese.

    Reply
  29. Avanika [YumsiliciousBakes] says

    December 10, 2010 at 1:34 pm

    December is the month for buttah!! The more, the better 🙂

    Reply
  30. The Short (dis)Order Cook says

    December 10, 2010 at 8:05 pm

    This is the first time I've seen these cookies referred to as "meltaways" by anyone other than my mother. She always made them at Christmas time when I was growing up. She hasn't made them in years though. Maybe now that she's retired she'll make them again. The lime is definitely an unusual twist though. Very interesting!

    Reply
  31. Jensen says

    December 11, 2010 at 12:21 am

    Great Pictures!

    Reply
  32. Anonymous says

    December 12, 2010 at 1:10 am

    I have the same cookies bookmarked! Yours look fantastic.

    Reply
  33. Jamie says

    December 12, 2010 at 3:54 am

    These remind me of powder sugar coated cookies we bought in Basque Country but the lime makes them sound twice as good. And these look so festive for the holidays.

    Reply
  34. Sanjeeta kk says

    December 12, 2010 at 6:56 am

    Going to try it right away, and the fact that these cookies are egg less makes me more eager to test 🙂 good to have come here, following for more of such wonderful treats from you.
    best wishes.

    Reply
  35. Cara says

    December 12, 2010 at 4:39 pm

    Well isn't this a tease – believe it or not I am sitting here in the Key West airport catching up on blogs while waiting for our plane to board, already sad enough that I'm leaving behind all these wonderful key lime treats, and you have to throw this in my face! ahh well. Might just have to make these at home 🙂

    Reply
  36. Asta says

    December 12, 2010 at 8:11 pm

    Just have to try these! Looks so yammy and lime never tastes wrong 🙂

    Reply
  37. Arfi Binsted says

    December 12, 2010 at 10:54 pm

    Just made these, still in the oven. I made gluten-free version. Will let you know how they turn out.

    Reply
  38. the blissful baker says

    December 13, 2010 at 12:31 am

    oh these look absolutely delightful! i love buttery cookies with a hint of citrus!

    Reply
  39. Amy says

    December 13, 2010 at 2:49 am

    Hi Kevin – I made these today…mine ended up being Lemon Meltaways because it turned out I didn't have any limes. They were really yummy and pleasantly not as crunchy and I thought they'd be.

    Reply
  40. Prudy says

    December 13, 2010 at 3:16 pm

    Those look so fantastic. I can never, ever, ever get my cookies to slice in such perfect circles. I'm filled with cooking slicing envy!

    Reply
  41. Amy says

    December 13, 2010 at 7:13 pm

    This just made my stomach growl. I'm going to want to tickle my sweet tooth soon with this recipe. 🙂

    Reply
  42. Kelly says

    December 13, 2010 at 9:48 pm

    Gorgeous post. I almost feel a pucker in my cheeks just looking at it.

    Reply
  43. susan says

    December 14, 2010 at 11:36 pm

    what a gorgeous photo! They look like they will just melt in your mouth!

    Reply
  44. Helene says

    December 15, 2010 at 8:12 pm

    I made those, for the first time, last week. It was a hit in the house.

    Reply
  45. Anonymous says

    December 31, 2010 at 1:03 am

    My sister, my boyfriend and I made them and they were delicious. And as college students, it was fun to have something so easy to make but seemed really fancy as well!

    Reply
  46. Arfi Binsted says

    January 4, 2011 at 5:38 pm

    Hi Kevon, just let you know, I posted lime meltaway with strawberry sherbet
    http://www.homemadesbyarfi.com/2011/01/iphoneography-2.html

    Reply
  47. Anonymous says

    January 7, 2011 at 11:54 pm

    I made these over the holiday and they were fantastic!

    I think that they tasted even better a few days old, it seemed like the lime was more pronounced. They looked great in the cookie baskets I made for friends and neighbors, I stacked them in cupcake papers, and they tasted magnificent with a cup of Earl Grey.

    Thanks for the recipe, it's a keeper.

    Reply
  48. Anonymous says

    January 11, 2011 at 1:45 am

    Making these right now and am so excited! They see fantastic, and the dough alone tastes incredible!

    Reply
  49. Anonymous says

    June 30, 2011 at 2:26 pm

    I’ve been an avid reader for awhile and just wanted to get it out there what a big fan I am of your blog. My question is about sherbet. There is loads of information on the internet about the definition and difference between sherbet, sorbet, ice cream, etc. but there are absolutely no good recipes!

    The long and short of it is that I fell in love with Trader Joe’s pomegranate blueberry sherbet and I’ve been trying to replicate it for ages. If you haven’t tried it you have to go to the store right now! I was wondering if you have come across any great sherbet recipes I could try or if you have any suggestions. My main trouble comes to the texture of the sherbet. My sherbet attempts are great right out of the ice cream maker but become hard as a rock in the freezer. How do I achieve that sort of creaminess? I’d love any tips/recipes/resources you could suggest. bgrindl (at) gmail (dot) com

    Reply
  50. Kevin says

    July 1, 2011 at 1:01 pm

    Anonymous: I am not an expert on sherbet but one trick that I know helps keep ice cream from getting too hard in the freezer is to add a splash of alcohol, which has a lower freezing point.

    Reply
  51. Anonymous says

    December 12, 2012 at 2:37 am

    Made these tonight with high hopes (love anything with lime) but they were only just ok.

    Reply
  52. Island Woman MJ says

    December 16, 2012 at 11:21 pm

    Because I don't use apps with facebook but follow you via email and have 'liked' you on facebook, where I saw this before it got to my email. I clicked on this recipe and found I basically had to go back to google to get back to this page without using an app. I've been following (and supporting by linking in my own blog) your blog for a long time and this was really discouraging…I get it, but I don't like it much. Do love the recipe though!

    Reply
  53. Kevin says

    December 17, 2012 at 2:00 am

    Island Woman MJ: You were in the Facebook app and you clicked on the link for the recipe and what happened? Did it bring you to my site? Somewhere else? Was this on an iPhone, an Android device, a tablet. I would love to get to the bottom of this. Thanks for you help!

    Reply
  54. thesweetestpea says

    November 25, 2013 at 10:27 pm

    Kevin, I am going to add these to my Christmas cookie baking this year and am going to add some green sugar to the powdered sugar for rolling to make them more Christmasy. I always make a shortbread for my hubs with browned butter, that has cooled to room temperature. It's a nice variation to regular shortbread and you can add chopped pecans if you wish. Thanks for all your recipes, love them.

    Reply
  55. 30 day vegan says

    December 16, 2013 at 2:27 am

    Just made these for our holiday cookie boxes and they are really good. The shortbread is delicious and the lime adds a nice subtle flavor.

    Reply
  56. janezee says

    November 30, 2015 at 1:17 am

    Once upon a time, back in the 1960s, there became the Lemon Cooler, from one of the big cookie producers. They used to be deliciously like these, with lemon flavoring instead. I'm delighted to see this, because I just happen to have been given a bag of key limes, and I have a few larger, regular ones. I'll try to get the batter made this week. I'll be spending a bunch of time baking next weekend. Thanks for the memories!

    Reply
  57. Unknown says

    December 22, 2015 at 6:01 am

    Kevin, is the 1/3 C of powder sugar go in the butter and the 2/3 for dredging?
    Love your recipes,
    Thanks
    Michal

    Reply
  58. kevin says

    December 22, 2015 at 10:27 am

    Michal: Yes, the 1/3 cup of powder sugar goes in the butter and the 2/3 cup is for dredging. Enjoy!

    Reply
  59. Sara Dreyer says

    January 9, 2016 at 12:42 pm

    A tablespoon of vanilla? Really? Ok. I'm going to trust you because I've made several of your recipes and they are all delicious! Love your work.

    Reply
  60. Ariel N. says

    March 17, 2016 at 10:56 am

    I have made this recipe time and again and it's always great! Thanks for a fantastic recipe. It's definitely one of my favourite cookies.

    Reply
  61. Grumpinator says

    December 17, 2017 at 3:31 pm

    Made these because we love lime desserts, but these were very disappointing. Not much lime flavor and the mouth feel is not pleasing, need coffee to wash it down.

    Reply
  62. kevin says

    December 17, 2017 at 5:29 pm

    Grumpinator: How much zest did you get from the limes? This is a shortbread cookie and it will be a little dry until the butter starts to melt into your mouth.

    Reply
  63. click here says

    July 30, 2018 at 7:18 am

    Cream the butter with the powdered sugar.

    Reply
  64. Val says

    December 16, 2019 at 4:49 pm

    Just wondering if they can be frozen and take. Out of freezer and cut into cookies

    Reply
    • kevin says

      December 17, 2019 at 9:56 am

      Yes it can! Enjoy!

      Reply
  65. Mary-Luise says

    July 29, 2020 at 4:25 pm

    Just made your lime meltaways….used lime oil and lime powder in the cookies and non melting powder sugar with citric acid and lime powder on them after. Nice and tart, they turned out well. Thanks.

    Reply
  66. Judy Outerson says

    December 1, 2021 at 5:56 pm

    Can I substitute gluten free ingredients one for one. My husband is celiac and I know he would love these.

    Reply
    • kevin says

      December 6, 2021 at 8:33 am

      If the gluten-free ingredients recommend replacing at 1:1 then that should work! Enjoy!

      Reply
  67. Yolanda says

    March 19, 2023 at 1:27 pm

    Delicious. They remind me of Spanish “mantecados””

    Reply

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Kevin: I came to realize that my meals were boring and that I had been eating the same few dishes over and over again for years. It was time for a change! I now spend my free time searching for, creating and trying tasty new recipes in my closet sized kitchen.
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