• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Barbara Bakesâ„¢
  • Home
  • About
  • Info
  • Contact
  • Press
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • Breads
  • Breakfast
  • Dessert
    • Cakes
    • Cookies
    • Ice Cream
    • Pastry
    • All Desserts »
  • Main Dishes
    • Beef
    • Chicken
    • Pork
    • Pasta
    • Meatless
    • All Main Dishes »
  • Side Dishes
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Baking Tips
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Baking Tips
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Dessert » Cookies

    Pistachio Key Lime Shortbread Cookies

    Published by Melissa on March 4, 2014 | Updated June 10, 2022 | 26 Comments

    Pin
    Share
    Tweet
    Jump to Recipe

    Featured Image for post Pistachio Key Lime Shortbread Cookies

    A not-too-sweet, crumbly key lime shortbread cookie loaded with finely chopped pistachios finished with a tart key lime glaze and sprinkle with finely chopped pistachios.

    Recently, Diamond Nuts/Diamond of California sent me some of their wonderful unsalted, shelled pistachios, which are perfect for baking, to create a St. Patrick’s Day recipe. I was thinking of fun ways to use the green nuts and remembered the fabulous Lemon Shortbread cookies I made several times last summer. I decided to change if up for St. Patrick’s Day and use key limes instead of lemons, a fun shamrock shape, and use pistachios in the dough as well as to decorate the tops of the cookies.

    Collage of Making Pistachio Key Lime Shortbread Cookies

    Pistachios are a member of the cashew family and have a earthy, rich, buttery flavor. They add an extra layer of richness and a wonderful texture to this shortbread cookie. I used my mini food processor to finely chop the nuts, but they were also easy to chop with a knife.

    Dipping the cookies in the glaze is the easiest way to glaze them. Just use a wide bowl, dip the cookie half way into the glaze and let some drip off before putting the cookies back on the cooling rack. Sprinkle on the pistachios while the glaze is still wet so they’ll stick to the glaze.

    Pistachio Key Lime Shortbread Cookies

    Once you’ve cut the first batch, just gather up the dough and roll it out again and make more cookies. The dough isn’t fussy, and I thought my second batch almost looked better than my first.

    I thought the white icing really highlighted the green pistachios, but you could add a little bit of green food coloring to the glaze if you want even more green for the holiday. These cookies are easy to make and a fun alternative to traditional sugar cookies for St. Patrick’s Day or change up the shape and they’d also be perfect for really any holiday.

    Featured Image for post Pistachio Key Lime Shortbread Cookies
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
    No ratings yet

    Pistachio Key Lime Shortbread Cookies

    Cook Time12 minutes mins
    Total Time12 minutes mins
    Course: Cookies
    Keyword: baking, cookie, lime
    Servings: 2 dozen cookies
    Author: Barbara Schieving
    Prevent your screen from going to sleep

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • ¼ cup cornstarch
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
    • ½ cup powdered sugar
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 tablespoon key lime zest
    • ¾ cup unsalted shelled Diamond of California Pistachios, finely chopped
    • 1 ½ cup powdered sugar
    • 2 tablespoons fresh key lime juice

    Instructions

    • In a small bowl, sift together flour, cornstarch and salt and set aside.
    • In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in vanilla and lime zest.
    • Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until well blended. Stir in pistachios (reserve a little bit to decorate the cookies if desired.)
    • Shape the dough in to a flat disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate one hour.
    • Preheat oven to 350º.
    • On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to ¼ inch thick. Cut the dough in to desired shapes. Place the cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets or cookie sheets lined with parchment paper.
    • Bake until lightly browned on the bottom about 10-12 minutes. Don't over bake. Cool for 5 minutes on the cookie sheet and then remove to a wire rack to cool.
    • Icing
    • Whisk together powdered sugar and lime juice to create a thin glaze. Spread the glaze on each cookie and sprinkle with additional finely chopped pistachios.

    Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Diamond of California, but all opinions expressed are always my own.  You can also find Diamond Nuts on Facebook and Pinterest.

    Collage of making Pistachio Key Lime Shortbread Cookies for St. Patrick's Day

    Pin
    Share
    Tweet
    « Easy To Make Naan – Indian Flatbread
    Baked Sage Derby Macaroni and Cheese »
    about us

    About Melissa & Barbara

    As of June 2022 Melissa Griffiths now is the one adding recipes. So think of it as Barbara Bakes, and Melissa too! Melissa and Barbara have been blogging friends for over 10 years and when Barbara was ready to retire and spend more time with her family, Melissa took over the site. Read more...

      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Pinterest
      • Twitter

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Barbara B Christian

      March 27, 2020 at 9:24 pm

      I made these cookies today and they were delicious. But, I have to say the dough was VERY dry and therefore extremely hard to roll out and cut into shapes!!!

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        March 28, 2020 at 10:17 am

        Hi Barbara – glad you enjoyed the cookies. Sometimes how you measure the flour and make a big difference. Next time you make them, you may want to add a little less flour.

        Reply
        • Barbara B Christian

          March 28, 2020 at 2:01 pm

          Thanks. I will try that next time!

          Reply
    2. Carol at Wild Goose Tea

      March 17, 2014 at 3:47 pm

      One my all time things I like to cook too is cookies! Everyone loves cookies. Unfortunately some of us love EVERY cookie. Ha! Butter type cookies are among my favorite. Lime is one of my ‘new’ favorite or preferred flavors of late. So I am on it for these babies!

      Reply
    3. Kate@Diethood

      March 09, 2014 at 10:36 am

      These are so perfect and so beautiful!!

      Reply
    4. erika

      March 09, 2014 at 12:35 am

      I love these cookies, pistachio and above all the glaze. Thanks

      Reply
    5. Nutmeg Nanny

      March 07, 2014 at 12:28 pm

      These cookies are so fun 🙂 I love pistachios!

      Reply
    6. Serena | Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch

      March 05, 2014 at 10:16 pm

      I saw these floating around google plus and they look amazing! I love the green from the pistachios and key lime juice instead of food coloring! Gorgeous!

      Reply
    7. Maureen | Orgasmic Chef

      March 05, 2014 at 1:03 am

      I have a confession. Bless me father, etc. I LOVE pistachios and one day midway in my previous marriage we were at the grocery store and pistachios were on sale. I looked at him and said with a cheeky grin, “You know these are an aphrodisiac, don’t you?”

      That man bought me a bag of pistachios every week for years. I never said a word. I just ate or cooked with them.

      Your cookies are gorgeous!

      Reply
    8. Emily

      March 04, 2014 at 10:39 pm

      Oh my! These look fun AND delicious! Love pistachio!

      Reply
    9. Melissa @ My Recent Favorite Books

      March 04, 2014 at 9:15 pm

      These are gorgeous!! Perfect for St. Patricks Day!

      Reply
    10. Jenn @ Deliciously Sprinkled

      March 04, 2014 at 7:54 pm

      These cookies look delicious and perfect for St. Patrick’s Day! Pinned 🙂

      Reply
    11. Claire @ Claire K Creations

      March 04, 2014 at 4:47 pm

      These look great Barbara. Great idea sprinkling the nuts on the icing too. The perfect st patty’s day treat!

      Reply
    12. mikky

      March 04, 2014 at 3:58 pm

      Barbara,

      These cookies look delicious! I pretty much love all pistachio flavored cookies, such a fantastic flavour. Funny enough I never though of making them for St.Patricks day, thanks for the idea.

      Wish I could bite into one of these right now. They look so yummy.

      Best,
      mikky
      http://www.todaloos.com

      Reply
    13. alison @ Ingredients, Inc.

      March 04, 2014 at 3:28 pm

      LOVE THESE BARBARA!

      Reply
    14. Kim Beaulieu

      March 04, 2014 at 1:51 pm

      I am such a pistachio fanatic so I totally need to try these. Such adorable cookies and I can just imagine the flavour spectrum on these. Can’t wait to try them.

      Reply
    15. Deb

      March 04, 2014 at 1:00 pm

      Pistachio and lime is such a tempting flavor pairing! Nestled in a buttery shortbread cookie I might have to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day a “wee” bit early this year!

      Reply
    16. Aggie

      March 04, 2014 at 12:00 pm

      Barbara you’ve managed to combine two of my favorite things into a cookie! These are adorable!

      Reply
    17. Maggie Unzueta @ Mama Maggie's Kitchen

      March 04, 2014 at 10:23 am

      How cute are these! Perfect for St. Patty’s Day… and pistachio, YUM!

      Reply
    18. Renee @ CreativeMamaMessyHouse

      March 04, 2014 at 9:49 am

      I bet my husband would like these! He loves pistachios, but doesn’t like chocolate. My kids would like them too!

      Reply
    19. 2 Sisters Recipes

      March 04, 2014 at 9:20 am

      Barbara these look wonderful! this recipe is a keeper in my book! Thanks for sharing.
      xxoo Anna and Liz

      Reply
    20. Rosa

      March 04, 2014 at 7:30 am

      Pretty! Those cookies surely taste delicious.

      Cheers,

      Rosa

      Reply
    Newer Comments »

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome!

    Melissa and Barbara smiling

    Baking made easy! Sharing fabulous recipes for cookies, cakes, pies, breads and more. Barbara Bakes (and Melissa too!) Recipes from both of our kitchens to yours.

    Learn More »

    Popular Posts

    Peaches in various stages of slicing

    How To Slice Peaches

    Homemade Creme Brule

    German-Chocolate-Cake-Barbara-Bakes

    Easy 5-Ingredient German Chocolate Cake

    sliced snickerdoodle bread with cinnamon chips backed by two uncut loaves

    Snickerdoodle Bread with Cinnamon Chips

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    SEEN ON

    as seen on promo graphic

    SEEN ON

    as seen on promo graphic

    About

    • Home
    • About
    • Contact
    • Press

    Browse

    • Recipe Index
    • Popular
    • Baking Tips
    • Travel

    Subscribe

    • Newsletter
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    As an Amazon affiliate, and affiliate with other businesses, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 barbarabakes.com. All rights reserved. DISCLOSURE - PRIVACY POLICY.