Lime Zingers

One of my co-workers said her favorite Christmas cookies were citrus ones. I had never made citrus cookies, but I had a couple limes in my fridge and saw this recipe. They are a nice cookie, with definite lime flavor.

Lime Zingers
1 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp. lime zest
1/4 cup lime juice
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour
3/4 cup finely chopped hazelnuts
4 oz. softened cream cheese
1 cup sifted powdered sugar
1 Tbsp. lime juice
1 tsp. vanilla
Food coloring if desired

Preheat oven to 350ºF. In large bowl, beat butter 30 seconds on high. Beat in sugar until combined. Beat in lime zest, 1/4 cup lime juice and 1 tsp. vanilla. Beat in flour. Stir in nuts. On lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness. (Divide dough in half prior to rolling.) Using 1- or 2-inch cutters, cut out cookies. Place on ungreased cookie sheets, and bake 8-10 minutes until edges are lightly browned.

For frosting, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, 1 Tbsp. lime juice and 1 tsp. vanilla together until smooth. Tint using food coloring. Frost cooled cookies.