These Lime Swirled Icebox Cookies are here to add some zest to your sweet snacking! Flecked with green and kissed with lime flavor, Ice Box Cookies are a spring and summertime favorite.
Prep Time15 minutesmins
Cook Time8 minutesmins
Total Time23 minutesmins
Course: Cookies
Cuisine: American
Keyword: icebox, lime, refrigerator cookies, st paddys day
In mixer, beat butter with vanilla sugar until fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add eggs.
In separate bowl, mix flour with baking soda and salt. Gradually add to butter mixture. Divide dough in half.
To one half add in vanilla extract. Lay dough on large sheet of parchment paper. Lay a second sheet of parchment on top of dough. Roll dough to form a 12 inch x 8 inch rectangle. Freeze dough for about 15 minutes.
With second half of dough add in gelatin and food coloring. Lay dough on parchment paper, with a second sheet on top. Roll dough to form a similar sized rectangle. Freeze dough 15 minutes.
Remove both sheets of dough from freezer. Remove top layer of parchment paper for each rectangle. Lay sheets of dough together (with parchment on outside). Remove one sheet of parchment paper (dough should have one remaining on bottom). Slowly peel dough from bottom parchment by rolling up the long end. You are going to form a log of dough. Tightly roll this dough and rewrap in parchment. Freeze until ready to use.
When ready to bake, wet fingertips with water. Roll log of dough in sprinkles. Slice 1/4inch thick and bake on a parchment lined baking sheet for about 7-9 minutes (in a 350 degree oven).
Notes
Vanilla sugar - Homemade or store bought. If you don't have vanilla sugar, you can make a substitute by scraping a vanilla bean into regular granulated sugar.
How long to keep ice box cookie dough in the freezer: If you want to enjoy these cookies right away, I recommend letting the dough freeze for at least 30 minutes before baking. The dough can also stay wrapped in the freezer for up to 3 months!
Do you have to thaw icebox cookie dough? Nope, no need to let the log of dough thaw or soften at all. You slice the frozen cookie dough and bake right away! So convenient.
To keep the dough from sticking: Get your fingers a little damp before you roll the two sections of dough together. I also do this before rolling it in the sprinkles to make sure nothing sticks to my hands.
How to store lime cookies: Once baked, these Lime Ice Box Cookies will keep well at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Good luck resisting them for that long, though!