With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, I thought perhaps I should pay attention with something green. Lime green, to be exact. Lime Sugared Chewy Ginger Cookies.
Even if I don’t sport the red locks, I’ve got some Irish blood in me. So it’s only natural I should be thinking green around St.Patty’s. We’re not far from Boston and that’s as Irish as it gets. So the other day my Jon gets this picture in an e-mail from Jib Jab. (You know Jib Jab? They’re famous for their funny animated musical videos. You insert photo faces of your friends and family onto digital animated elves or leprechauns or whatever the season is, then watch them do ridiculously funny dances as cartoons. It’s quite entertaining. So anyway, we’d made a silly Christmas video several years ago, and Jib Jab took one of the pictures of my little Hudson from back when he was a baby, probably 18 months old, and inserted it in the picture below. Just in time for St. Patty’s.
Oh my goodness. So here’s my sweet little leprechaun Hudson, gettin’ on his green. LOVE IT. (Hudson’s five now, the youngest of four boys, cute as a button.)
Back to the Lime Sugared Chewy Ginger Cookies. At Christmas time I was developing a new recipe for Lime Sugared Cranberries. I really love how they turned out, simultaneously tart and sweet, a mouthwatering addition to a cheese board, mixed drink or appetizer tray. So addictive. And I’ve had that lime sugar on the brain ever since.
So naturally it occurred to me that incorporating lime zest sugar into a ginger cookie recipe might be a great idea. And I was right. If you love a good chewy ginger cookie, you’ll love these Lime Sugared Chewy Ginger Cookies. Spicy and sweet, they’re an extra special treat for after school snacks and lunch boxes.
We love regular Gingersnaps at our house too. Great snack. They’re perfect with a glass of milk, lemonade or chai tea. Make a great crust for cheesecake or pumpkin bars. I especially love ginger cookies dipped in lemon curd. It’s that tart and sweet combination that’s so delicious. And that’s what made me think these ginger cookies with lime zest would be such a treat!
The lime sugar is incorporated into the cookie dough, then the dough balls are rolled in lime sugar just before baking. The ginger and lime zest give a little zing, and the sugar keeps them sweet.
Lime Sugared Chewy Ginger Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 1/8 cups flour
- 1 tablespoon ginger
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 1/2 cup white sugar divided
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 4 tablespoons lime zest zest from about 4 limes
Instructions
- Beat butter with mixer 'til creamy.
- In small bowl, mix lime zest together with sugar.
- Add 1 cup of lime sugar to a mixing bowl.
- (Remaining 1/2 cup lime sugar will be used to roll dough balls in before baking.)
- Add in egg and molasses.
- Separately, sift together (or mix well with a fork): flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
- Stir flour mixture into wet ingredients.
- Form into 1 1/2 inch round dough balls.
- Roll dough balls in remaining lime granulated sugar.
- Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet or parchment paper.
- Bake 8 minutes @ 350 degrees or 'til tops are round and cracked. They might still be slightly puffy.
- Remove from the oven and whack the pan hard on the counter or stovetop. (Yup.) The middle will fall and they'll be flat and crackly. Just like a good gingersnap ought to be.
You may also like: Easy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
Marye says
These look so yummy, I love all of the flavor!
Megan Marlowe says
I LOVE lime! These look absolutely delicious! I cannot wait to make them! I’ll have to try the lime sugared cranberries too!
Aunt Pinkie says
They look so yummy! Can’t wait to try ’em!
laura@motherwouldknow says
What an interesting twist – to add lime zest to ginger cookies. I’m so intrigued – have to try these. Pinning so I don’t forget:)
Allison - Celebrating Sweets says
I usually only make ginger cookies around the holidays, but these have me thinking that I’m missing out. Lime sugar? Eeeekkk! Sounds heavenly!
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says
What a fantastic idea to marry that fantastic Lime Sugar with gingersnaps! But they are not just perfect for St. Patty’s – they are perfect anytime of the year – what a refreshing cookie – even with a glass of lemonade – don’t ya think?
Little Hudson is as cute as a button now as he was when he was five – love that little greeting BTW! Happy Tuesday to ya, Allie!
XO
nicole @ I am a Honey Bee says
i love that you added the lime to the ginger cookies, really changes them up!
Susie Mandel says
These sounded great to begin with, but when you added the lemon curd, I about fell off the couch. Oh my.
Christina Conte says
Hudson is adorable! I’d much rather see him in green than my lunch! Sorry, I’ve seen too many “glow in the dark green” dishes recently, haha! Your cookies are brilliant for St. Patrick’s Day, just a touch of (real) green, but the main thing is I know they’d taste fabulous! Good job, Allie!
Catherine says
Dear Allie, I love your festive cookies! Perfect anytime of year…the fresh zesty lime is right up my alley. Hudson is just adorable!
I love that poem by JRR Tolkien too. It spoke directly to me when I first came across it. I do love writing poetry though and have so for quite a while. Slowly, I’m beginning to get back into it.
Thank you for all your kind comments and support. I hope everyone is doing well. Have a beautiful evening dear. xoxo, Catherine
Allie says
Dear Catherine, it doesn’t surprise me that you write poetry. Not for a minute. I so appreciate your support also and love visiting your beautiful blog. Looking forward to spring’s arrival around here, though we are suddenly forecasted for a half foot of snow on Sunday, the first day of spring. EEK! xoxo
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
Lime!!! On the cookies!!! Wow!!! I think these sound above amazing. These don’t have to be saved for just St. Paddy’s day….nope…any day will do!
Carina says
Dear Allie, I love the screen shot of Hudson in the Irish green! Gosh – So sweet!! I had never heard of JibJab. It sounds like a fun idea.
These cookies look wonderful. Just reading the recipe is making my mouth water! Thanks for sharing the recipe. Xoxo
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life says
I’m pretty much addicted to all things lime, so I know I’d love these cookies! And what a fun idea for St. Patrick’s Day!
Ramona says
Mmmm! I love that you made limes the star of these ginger cookies. I can just imagine the wonderful flavor of each bite! My family loves ginger snaps… these would be even more loved. 🙂
Jay says
Very interesting, though I have a feeling my grandma would be shocked!
Allie says
Hi Jay, maybe don’t tell grandma. 🙂
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
Love the combination of lime and ginger, these sound amazing!
Karen Espalin says
Brilliant!
I love lemon/lime stuff.
Is is bad to hope my guys don’t like them so I can have them all to myself?
Allie says
Nope, it’s all good…:)
DD Donnelly says
Yumm and they smell so good! I used fresh ground ginger and it was lovely. On my last tray I cooked them for 9 minutes since the first two trays were just a touch gooey. The last tray looks so much better. But they all taste wonderful. Thank you for your efforts. Also the tapping of the tray, seemed weird but it worked LOL.
Allie says
Hey thanks DD, glad you enjoyed them. I love these cookies and fresh ground ginger sounds spectacular, I will have to try that for sure! So glad you dropped by and thanks for the tips!