I love cookies and I love margaritas, so obviously MARGARITA COOKIES are a very good thing in my book! Sweet and salty, with a buttery texture and lime flavor, this margarita cookie recipe is an absolute favorite of mine! While you can spike the glaze with a sweet and salty tequila glaze, it can also be made with just lime juice for a family-friendly lime cookie treat.
These cookies are a really interesting flavor combo, kind of a buttery shortbread meets lime with a bite of tequila. My husband and I loved them.
These margarita cookies are pretty simple to make, though the dough does need an hour to chill out in the fridge, so make sure to factor that in.
If you aren’t a tequila fan, you can absolutely leave that out of these, and just make a great lime cookie. But if you are a tequila fan, there’s just a hint of tequila flavor that comes through in the glaze. Yum, yum.
You add lime zest to your dough. I somehow do not own a microplane, and started using the grater I always use for zesting. It’s totally the wrong kind and all it does is collect all the zest in it’s grips and not let go. Total fail. Luckily I realized I had this handy little OXO Spice Grater which worked wonderfully.
After making your dough, you roll it into two logs and then let it chill in the fridge for about an hour.
Then when it comes out you roll it in a salt and sugar mixture. Yum yum.
Then it’s slice and bake. I knew I was going to leave the tequila glaze off of some of the cookies, so for those cookies I added some extra sugar and salt mixture to the tops.
After baking you allow them to cool, then make the glaze. As I mentioned you can leave the glaze off, or omit the tequila.
Because the salty part of a margarita is SO important to me, I sprinkled some of the sugar and salt mixture on top of the glaze. It also adds a nice crunch.
Salty. Sweet. Lime. Butter. Good stuff.
If you are looking for an easy and delicious meal to start with prior to these margarita cookies, I highly suggest trying my easy SHEET PAN NACHOS!
MARGARITA COOKIES RECIPE
Margarita Cookies With Salty Sweet Tequila Glaze
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 2 cups flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup butter, softened
- Green Food Coloring optional - I used six drops McCormick Neon Green & 2 Drops McCormick Green
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon finely grated lime peel
- 1 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Orange Extract
- 1/2 cup sanding sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Tequila Glaze:
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon tequila
Instructions
Cookies:
- 1. Mix flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt in medium bowl. Set aside. Beat butter and granulated sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add egg, lime peel, extract and food coloring if using; mix well. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed. Divide dough in half. Form each half into a log about 9 inches long and 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Wrap in wax paper.
- 2. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm.
- 3. Preheat oven 350°F. Mix sanding sugar and kosher salt. Roll each cold dough log in mixture to coat evenly. Cut dough into 1/4-inch thick slices. Place on ungreased baking sheets. If desired sprinkle a bit of additional sugar and salt mixture on tops.
- 4. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned around edges. Cool on baking sheets 1 minute. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.
- 5. Drizzle Glaze over cooled cookies. If desired sprinkle lightly with salt/sugar mixture. Let stand until glaze is set.
Tequila Glaze:
- Mix 1 cup confectioners’ sugar, and 1 tablespoon each water and tequila in small bowl until smooth. (Or omit tequila and use 2 tablespoons water.)
Disclaimer
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Cheers!
Originally published April, 2013.
Angie says
u lady are an evil one!! j.k I could eat my weight in these things!! with a rita to wash them down!! thanks for sharing.
Samantha says
I must try these! Sounds yummy!
Also, I too find myself without a microplane and often use my grater. The best trick I have found is to use a pastry brush to brush the zest off the grater. It works surprisingly well. Note: the smaller the brush, the easier it is to remove as the bristles seems to stay a bit stiffer giving u the sturdiness you need.
michelle says
yes! definitely pinning and making these!!
Kathy @ Food Wine Thyme says
What a fantastic concept for a cookie. I almost feel as if these should be “adult only” cookies just so that I can have more for myself. 🙂
Jess says
I need these in my life right now!! 🙂 I pinned them for quick reference!! 🙂
Please join me at my Blog Hop this week! 🙂
http://www.pluckys-secondthought.com/pluckys-blog-hop-4-with-co-host/
Windy P. says
Oh, these sound fabulous. I love margarita cupcakes. I think I’m going to love these just as much. I’m a big fan of the sweet, tart and a little salty flavor combination! 🙂 Thanks for the recipe.
Sandra says
Love from the oven for sure, yumola!!!!
Christi says
Thanks Sandra!
Janine - sugarkissed.net says
These sound like the perfect summertime treat! Do you think they would go well served with margaritas or would that be overkill?
Christi says
Janine, oh no, not overkill at all. I think it’s a fabulous combo! 🙂
Tash @ The Velvet Moon Baker says
these look absolutely gorgeous. I’ll admit I’ve never tried a margarita (or any cocktail of any kind) but I really want one of these cookies now!
Christi says
Tash, if you like lime and sweet/salty – they are great! You can totally omit the tequila aspect if you like, and they are still great. 🙂
Amanda says
You are always coming up with the most creative ideas. I’m filing these away for my Cinco de Mayo party!