Ultimate Frosted Coconut Lime Sugar Cookies: Your New Favorite Tropical Treat

Frosted Coconut Lime Sugar Cookies – These soft, cakey coconut sugar cookies, adorned with the richest coconut frosting and a vibrant swirl of the freshest lime curd, are more than just a dessert; they’re an experience. Imagine a bite that transports you straight to a sun-drenched beach with every zesty, sweet, and creamy mouthful.

Growing up in a Mormon community came with many unique traditions, but one of the most delightful was undoubtedly the ubiquitous presence of **soda shop cookies**. Each local shop boasted its signature selection, from decadent raspberry cheesecake varieties to classic sugar cookies adorned with vibrant pink frosting. Yet, there was always a special place for something citrusy and refreshing. This **Frosted Coconut Lime Sugar Cookie** is our homage to that beloved citrus tradition, elevated to a whole new level of deliciousness. It’s a harmonious blend of bright, tangy lime and luscious, creamy coconut, offering a truly refreshing escape.

What sets these frosted sugar cookies apart? The secret lies in the layers of carefully crafted flavor and texture. We start with a homemade lime curd that bursts with fresh, zesty flavor. This is complemented by a buttery, incredibly smooth coconut frosting, which provides a rich and creamy counterpoint. And the base? A soft, perfectly chewy sugar cookie infused with a delicate hint of coconut, making each bite utterly irresistible. Honestly, I’d fiercely defend the last one in the fridge – they’re *that* good.

If you’re a fan of these delightful frosted sugar cookies and crave more irresistible treats, then you absolutely must explore these other fantastic recipes:

• Frosted Coconut Caramel Sugar Cookies Recipe
• The Best Snack Size Strawberry Coconut Cake
• Key Lime Pie With Sweetened Condensed Milk

Why You’ll Fall in Love with These Frosted Coconut Lime Sugar Cookies

These aren’t just any sugar cookies; they are meticulously crafted to deliver an unforgettable taste and texture. Here’s why these Frosted Coconut Lime Sugar Cookies are destined to become a new favorite:

• **Chilled Chewy Sugar Cookie Base:** The secret to their incredible texture is a slightly chilled dough, resulting in cookies that are perfectly soft, wonderfully thick, and satisfyingly chewy. It’s pure perfection in every bite.
• **Creamy Coconut Frosting with Swirled Fresh Lime Curd:** The rich, velvety coconut cream cheese frosting provides a luxurious base for the bright, tangy homemade lime curd. The swirl creates a beautiful visual and an explosion of complementary flavors.
• **Authentic Soda Shop Cookie Vibe:** Inspired by the classic, irresistible soda shop sugar cookies, these treats capture that nostalgic charm with a tropical twist, bringing a taste of carefree indulgence right to your home.
• **Coconut + Lime: The Ultimate Tropical Twist:** This classic flavor pairing is simply iconic. The tropical sweetness of coconut perfectly balances the vibrant acidity of fresh lime, creating a symphony of flavors that’s both exotic and comforting.
• **Perfect Summer Flavor Combo with Crackly-Crisp Tops and Chewy Centers:** Ideal for warm weather, these cookies boast a delightful contrast: slightly crisp, golden-brown edges with crackly tops that give way to wonderfully soft and chewy centers, making them a textural masterpiece.
• **Make-Ahead Friendly and Best Served Chilled:** These cookies are not only delicious but also incredibly convenient. They can be prepared in advance, and arguably taste even better when served chilled straight from the fridge, enhancing their refreshing qualities.

Essential Ingredients You’ll Need for Tropical Perfection

Creating these exquisite Frosted Coconut Lime Sugar Cookies requires a thoughtful selection of ingredients, each playing a crucial role in achieving that perfect balance of flavor and texture. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what you’ll need and why:

• Salted Butter: This is the foundation of our cookies, providing rich flavor and essential structure. Using room temperature salted butter ensures a smooth, emulsified dough and contributes to a tender, delicious crumb.
• Vegetable Oil: A key ingredient for achieving that signature soft and chewy soda shop cookie texture. It helps keep the cookie dough balls pliable and contributes to their moistness, preventing them from becoming dry.
• Granulated Sugar + Powdered Sugar: Granulated sugar delivers the classic sweetness and helps create those slightly crackly edges. Powdered sugar, on the other hand, is crucial for adding an incredible softness and a melt-in-your-mouth texture, mimicking the finest soda shop cookies.
• Baking Soda + Baking Powder: This dynamic leavening duo works together to give the cookies just the right amount of rise and spread, resulting in their characteristic thick and soft profile.
• Salt: A pinch of salt is vital for balancing the sweetness of the sugars and, most importantly, for enhancing and bringing out the bright, zesty flavors of lime and the delicate sweetness of coconut.
• Sour Cream: Used at room temperature, sour cream adds a wonderful tanginess and, crucially, a significant amount of moisture to the cookie dough, contributing to its cakey softness.
• Eggs + Egg Yolk: Large eggs provide richness and bind the ingredients, while the extra egg yolk adds an unparalleled chewiness and further enriches the cookie’s texture and structure.
• Vanilla Extract + Toasted Coconut Extract: Vanilla is a universal flavor enhancer, but the toasted coconut extract is where the magic happens, intensely boosting that distinct, tropical coconut flavor, making it truly shine.
• All-Purpose Flour: The primary dry ingredient, all-purpose flour provides the necessary structure and body for the cookies. It’s mixed into the wet ingredients to form a cohesive, soft dough.
• Fresh Lime Juice + Lime Zest: The undisputed stars of the homemade lime curd, fresh lime juice brings vibrant acidity and tang, while the zest provides aromatic oils for an intense, bright citrus flavor that cannot be replicated.
• Cream Cheese: The secret to our luscious, creamy coconut frosting. Room temperature cream cheese lends a delightful tang and an incredibly rich, smooth texture to the frosting.
• Heavy Cream: This ingredient is essential for achieving the perfect consistency in the frosting, making it wonderfully smooth, light, and fluffy, ideal for spreading generously.
• Optional Green Food Gel: A mere touch of green food gel can transform the lime curd, giving it that vibrant, eye-catching soda shop aesthetic. Remember, a little goes a very long way!

Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Perfection

Mastering the Homemade Lime Curd

The lime curd is a highlight of these cookies, offering a bright, zesty contrast. Making it from scratch ensures the freshest, most vibrant flavor. Start this component first as it requires chilling time.

• In a **medium bowl** or saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, finely grated lime zest, and fresh lime juice. Whisk them together thoroughly until the sugar begins to dissolve.
• In a **small separate bowl**, whisk together the large eggs and the additional egg yolk until well combined and slightly frothy. This ensures a smooth curd.
• Place the saucepan with the lime mixture over **medium heat**. Slowly, and while continuously whisking, pour the egg mixture into the lime mixture. It’s crucial to whisk constantly to prevent the eggs from scrambling. Continue whisking until the mixture visibly thickens, which typically takes 4-5 minutes. Once it begins to bubble gently, continue cooking and whisking for an additional 2 minutes to ensure it’s fully cooked and set.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat immediately. Whisk in the unsalted butter, piece by piece, until it is fully melted and incorporated, creating a smooth, glossy curd. If desired, add a tiny amount of green food gel at this stage for a more vibrant color.
• For an exceptionally smooth curd, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl. Use a rubber spatula to push the curd through the sieve, leaving behind any small bits of zest or cooked egg. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the curd to prevent a skin from forming as it cools. Chill for a minimum of 4 hours, or preferably overnight, in an airtight container in the refrigerator until it is firm and perfectly set.

Crafting the Perfect Coconut Sugar Cookies

These soft, chewy cookies form the delicious base for our tropical treat. Precision in mixing and baking is key to their delightful texture.

• Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line three **cookie sheets** or **baking sheets** with **parchment paper** to prevent sticking and ensure even baking. Position the sheets on the middle oven rack.
• In the **large bowl** of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together the softened salted butter, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar. Beat on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color.
• Add the large eggs one at a time, mixing well at **medium speed** after each addition, ensuring it’s fully incorporated before adding the next. Take a moment to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a **rubber spatula** to ensure everything is evenly mixed. Then, mix in the vanilla extract, room temperature sour cream, and the toasted coconut extract until just combined.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture in the stand mixer. Mix on the lowest speed until a soft, homogeneous dough forms with no visible streaks of flour. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
• Using a **cookie scoop** (approximately 3 tablespoons each), scoop out portions of the dough and gently roll them into smooth balls. Place them several inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Lightly flatten each cookie dough ball using the bottom of a drinking glass or a wide metal spatula to about ½ inch thick. This helps them bake evenly and achieve that classic thick sugar cookie shape.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the tops appear set and slightly crackly. The centers might still look slightly soft, but they will firm up as they cool.
• Allow the cookies to cool slightly on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. Then, carefully transfer them to a **cooling rack** or **wire rack** to cool completely before frosting.

Preparing the Creamy Coconut Frosting

This rich and fluffy cream cheese frosting, infused with coconut, is the perfect complement to the tangy lime curd and soft cookie.

• In the bowl of your electric mixer, beat the room temperature unsalted butter and cream cheese together on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is soft, incredibly fluffy, and completely smooth. Remember to frequently scrape down the **sides of the bowl** and the bottom to ensure thorough mixing.
• With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, heavy cream, and a pinch of salt. Mix until just combined. Then, increase the speed to medium-high and whip for an additional 2-3 minutes until the frosting is light, airy, and perfectly smooth.
• Add the coconut extract, vanilla extract, and a few spoonfuls of your prepared lime curd to the frosting. Mix on low speed just until these flavors are fully combined. This slight infusion of lime curd into the frosting adds another layer of citrusy brightness.

Assembling the Frosted Coconut Lime Sugar Cookie Masterpiece

The final touches bring all the delicious components together for a truly show-stopping dessert.

• **Chill before serving.** For the absolute best experience, these cookies are phenomenal when fully chilled. That cold bite with the rich, creamy frosting and tangy curd is pure bliss – *Chef’s kiss!*
• Once the cookies are completely cooled to room temperature, generously frost each one with the creamy coconut frosting using an **offset spatula** or a piping bag.
• For an artistic finish, dollop a small spoonful of the extra chilled lime curd onto the center of each frosted cookie. Gently swirl the curd into the frosting using a small spoon or a toothpick to create an elegant marbled effect.
• To add a final flourish and enhance the fresh lime aroma, sprinkle a little extra lime zest on top or garnish with a **fresh lime wedge** if you’re feeling particularly fancy.

Expert Tips for Making the Perfect Lime Curd

A flawless lime curd is essential for these cookies. Follow these tips to ensure a smooth, vibrant, and delicious result every time:

• **Zest Before Juicing:** Always zest your limes before cutting and juicing them. It’s much easier to capture the aromatic oils and flavor from a firm, whole lime, avoiding any bitterness from the pith.
• **Strain for Smoothness:** After cooking, strain the hot lime curd through a fine-mesh sieve. This crucial step removes any small bits of cooked egg or zest, ensuring a velvety smooth, seed-free, and professional-looking curd.
• **Constant Stirring over Medium Heat:** Cook the curd over medium heat, stirring constantly with a whisk. This prevents the eggs from curdling and sticking to the bottom of the pan, ensuring a creamy and uniformly thickened mixture. Patience is key here!
• **Proper Cooling and Chilling:** Once cooked, transfer the curd to a bowl and immediately press plastic wrap directly onto the surface. This prevents an undesirable skin from forming. Refrigerate the curd until it’s completely chilled and set – this can take at least 4 hours or ideally overnight for the best consistency.
• **A Touch of Green Food Gel:** For that vibrant, eye-catching color often seen in soda shop treats, consider adding a tiny bit of green food gel. Remember, a little goes an incredibly long way! My favorite brand is Ameri Gel for its concentrated color.

Essential Tools for Baking Frosted Coconut Lime Sugar Cookies

Having the right kitchen tools can significantly streamline your baking process and elevate your results. Here’s a list of the essential equipment I use for these coconut lime sugar cookies:

1. Mixing Bowls: You’ll need various sizes for different preparations, such as whisking eggs for the curd and combining dry ingredients for the cookies.
2. Electric Mixer: Indispensable for creaming butter and sugar until light and fluffy, mixing the cookie batter, and whipping up that incredibly smooth buttercream frosting. A stand mixer with a paddle attachment is ideal.
3. Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for precise ingredient measurements, ensuring consistency and accuracy in your recipe.
4. Offset Spatula: This versatile tool is perfect for evenly spreading fillings and frosting onto your cooled cookies, giving them a professional, bakery-worthy finish.
5. Cooling Rack: Essential for allowing your baked cookies to cool evenly after coming out of the oven, preventing soggy bottoms and ensuring a perfect texture.
6. Sifter: Used for removing lumps from dry ingredients like flour and powdered sugar, leading to a smoother batter and frosting.
7. Cookie Scoop Set: To create evenly sized cookies every time, resulting in a beautiful, uniform, and bakery-worthy presentation across your entire batch.
8. Microplane Zester: A must-have for adding a delicate, aromatic, and zesty touch of fresh lime zest to both the lime curd and as a final garnish for your cookies.

Pro Baking Tips & Tricks for Perfect Results

Achieving bakery-quality frosted sugar cookies is within your reach with these helpful hints and shortcuts:

• **Completely Chill the Curd:** This tip cannot be emphasized enough – do not skip it! A properly chilled lime curd will be thick and set, preventing it from making your frosting runny or sliding off the cookie. It’s essential for both texture and stability.
• **Gently Flatten Cookies for Evenness:** When flattening the cookie dough balls, use the **bottom of a glass** or a flat spatula. Apply gentle, even pressure to ensure all cookies bake to a uniform thickness, which promotes consistent cooking and a beautiful appearance.
• **Troubleshooting Soft Frosting:** If your cream cheese frosting feels too soft or runny, simply place it in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes. A quick chill will help it firm up to the perfect spreading consistency.
• **Achieve Bakery-Style Frosting:** For that impressive bakery-style finish, try piping the coconut frosting onto the cookies using a large round or star tip. Then, swirl the lime curd delicately on top with a toothpick or the back of a small spoon for an elegant, professional look.
• **Optimal Storage for Freshness:** To keep your Frosted Coconut Lime Sugar Cookies fresh and moist, store them in a **shallow dish** or airtight container. Place **plastic wrap** directly over the frosted cookies before sealing the container to lock in moisture and prevent them from drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions – Frosted Coconut Lime Sugar Cookie

Here are answers to some common questions you might have about making these delicious tropical cookies:

• Can I substitute fresh lime juice with bottled lime juice? While fresh lime juice is highly recommended for the most vibrant and authentic flavor in both the cookies and the curd, you can use bottled lime juice as a substitute if absolutely necessary. Just be aware that the flavor may not be as bright or fresh as using freshly squeezed limes.
• Can I make the cookie dough in advance and bake the cookies later? Yes, absolutely! The cookie dough can be prepared in advance and refrigerated for up to 24 hours. This makes planning much easier. Before baking, allow the dough to sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes to soften slightly, making it easier to scoop and flatten.
• Can I make these cookies without the coconut flavor? If coconut isn’t your preference, you can certainly omit the coconut extract from both the cookies and the frosting. The cookies will still be delicious with a delightful lime flavor, and you can boost the vanilla extract instead for a classic sugar cookie taste.
• Can I use store-bought lime curd instead of homemade? Yes, for a convenient shortcut, you can definitely use good quality store-bought lime curd. However, keep in mind that homemade lime curd provides an unparalleled fresh citrus flavor punch and often a superior texture.
• What if I don’t have coconut extract? No problem! If coconut extract isn’t available, you can substitute it with an equal amount of vanilla extract for a more classic flavor profile, or even almond extract for a slightly different, nutty twist.

Storing and Freezing Your Frosted Coconut Lime Sugar Cookies

Proper storage is key to maintaining the freshness and deliciousness of these cookies:

Store the Frosted Coconut Lime Sugar Cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Many find that these chewy cookies are even more delightful the second day, especially when enjoyed straight from the fridge, as the flavors meld beautifully and the frosting sets perfectly.

For longer storage, you can also freeze the baked cookies (unfrosted) for up to 2 months. To do so, allow the baked cookies to cool completely. Wrap each cookie tightly with **plastic wrap** individually, then place them in a **freezer-safe bag** or airtight container. When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw the cookies at room temperature and then proceed with frosting as directed.

These **Frosted Coconut Lime Sugar Cookies** truly are the ultimate sweet treat, perfect for gracing a festive brunch spread, delighting guests at a summer gathering, or simply whenever you crave something indulgent and refreshingly sweet! If you try this incredible recipe, please take a moment to leave a star rating and share your thoughts in the comments section below. Your feedback helps other bakers! Happy baking!

• Moist and Fluffy Coconut Cake
• Levain Copycat Caramel Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookie
• Very Patriotic Frosted Sugar Cookies

Don’t forget to save this recipe card and share it with your friends and family! I’d love to hear your feedback or answer any questions you have. Follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok, where I share so many fun baking adventures and delicious recipes on all platforms.

Recipe

Frosted Coconut Lime Sugar Cookie

Molly Murphy

A soft, thick, and slightly chewy sugar cookie base, topped with a creamy coconut frosting, elegantly swirled with a tangy homemade lime curd. A tropical dessert dream!

5 from 4 votes

Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 13 minutes mins

20 minutes mins

Total Time 53 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American, Cookies

Servings 21

Ingredients

For the Lime Curd (Recommended to prepare first)

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup fresh lime juice
• 2 teaspoons lime zest
• 2 large eggs
• 1 large egg yolk
• 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
• Optional: Green food gel (use a toothpick amount, a little goes a long way)

For the Coconut Sugar Cookies

• 1 cup (227g) salted butter, softened
• ⅔ cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ¼ cup sour cream (room temperature)
• 2 large eggs (room temperature)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon toasted coconut extract (regular coconut extract is fine)
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons salt
• ¾ teaspoon baking powder
• 5 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 4 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
• 5 cups powdered sugar (measured and then sifted)
• 2 teaspoons heavy whipping cream
• 2 teaspoons coconut extract
• 3 spoonfuls lime curd
• pinch of salt

Instructions

For the Lime Curd

• In a medium-sized saucepan, thoroughly whisk together the granulated sugar, lime zest, and fresh lime juice until well combined.
• In a small, separate bowl, whisk the whole eggs and the additional egg yolk until they are smooth and uniformly blended.
• Place the saucepan over medium to high heat. While continuously whisking, slowly pour the whisked egg mixture into the lime and sugar mixture in the saucepan. It’s important to add the eggs gradually to temper them and prevent scrambling.
• Continue to whisk constantly as the mixture cooks for approximately 4-5 minutes, depending on your stove’s heat. The curd will noticeably thicken. Once it starts to bubble gently, allow it to bubble for about 2 more minutes, stirring non-stop to ensure it cooks through and reaches the correct consistency.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat. Whisk in the cold unsalted butter, piece by piece, until it is fully melted and smoothly incorporated into the curd. This may take a few minutes. (If you are using food coloring for a vibrant green, now is the time to add it, a tiny amount goes a long way).
• For a perfectly smooth curd, strain the warm mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a glass or plastic airtight container. Use a rubber spatula to press the lime mixture through the sieve, ensuring a silky texture.
• Immediately press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the curd to prevent a skin from forming. Let it cool on the counter until it reaches room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or preferably overnight) until it is firm and set.

For the Coconut Sugar Cookies

• Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line three large baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the softened butter, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar on medium speed. Beat for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and noticeably pale in color.
• Add the large eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly on medium speed for about 30 seconds after each addition. Ensure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Use a rubber spatula to frequently scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl. Then, mix in the vanilla extract, room temperature sour cream, and coconut extract until just combined.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the baking soda, baking powder, salt, and all-purpose flour. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture in the stand mixer. Mix on the lowest speed possible until no streaks of flour remain and a soft, homogeneous dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough cookies.
• Scoop the cookie dough into approximately 3-tablespoon sized portions and gently roll them into smooth balls. Place them several inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Using a flat surface, such as the bottom of a drinking glass or a pancake spatula, gently press down each cookie ball. I prefer my cookies a little thicker, so I don’t flatten them excessively; ideally, they should be around ½ inch thick.
• Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until their edges are just set and lightly golden brown. The centers may still look slightly soft, but they will continue to firm up as they cool.
• Allow the freshly baked cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes to set before carefully transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely to room temperature.
• While the cookies are cooling, proceed with making the creamy coconut frosting.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

• In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the room temperature unsalted butter and cream cheese. Cream on medium speed for about two minutes until soft and fluffy. Stop to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl, then beat again for another 2 minutes to ensure a perfectly smooth base.
• With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, heavy whipping cream, and a pinch of salt. Beat on low speed just until these ingredients are combined. Then, increase the mixer speed to medium-high and whip the mixture for an additional 2-3 minutes until the frosting is light, airy, and wonderfully smooth.
• Add the vanilla extract, coconut extract, and three spoonfuls of your chilled lime curd to the frosting. Mix on low speed just until all the flavors are thoroughly combined.
• Once the cookies are completely cooled, generously frost each one with the prepared cream cheese frosting using a small offset spatula or a piping bag for a neat finish.
• Dollop a small spoonful of the remaining chilled lime curd on top of each frosted cookie. Using a small spoon or toothpick, gently swirl the lime curd into the frosting to create an attractive marbled effect.
• For a final touch and added freshness, garnish with a sprinkle of lime zest or a thin slice of fresh lime. Serve and enjoy! (A pro tip: These cookies are incredibly delicious when fully chilled in the fridge. I highly recommend trying them cold for an extra refreshing experience!)

Keyword sugar cookie, frosted cookie, cookie recipe, swig copy cat, coconut lime, tropical cookie

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!