Bitter Lime Wheel Cookies

When my mother-in-law sent me a box of freshly picked organic key limes from her tree in AZ I knew exactly what to do with them!

If you are a tea drinker or a bitter tea lover (which I am) you should definitely try these cookies with your next cup of tea! They are a little sweet with a touch of bitter and have a great texture from the ground almonds.

Bitter Key Lime Wheel Cookies
10 T. butter, softened
1 T. key lime zest
1 egg
3⁄4 c. confectioners’ sugar, extra for dusting
1⁄2 c. sugar, extra for sprinkling
1⁄4 cup brown sugar
2 c. flour
1 c. almonds, finely ground
1 T. fresh squeezed key lime juice
6 key limes - give or take depending on size and juiciness.

Finely grind almonds in a food processor until they resemble coarse sand.

Using a microplane grate enough key limes to get 1 tablespoon of zest. Cut those same limes to get 1 tablespoon of juice.

In a large mixing bowl beat butter, zest and egg until incorporated. Mixture will look lumpy. Add sugars and mix. Add flour and stirring briefly, then add almonds. Once dough is well-combined form into two logs and wrap with parchment paper. Place in the freezer until hard, approximately 1 1⁄2 hours.

While dough is in the freezer use remaining key limes and cut with a mandolin. Please use caution and the finger guard with this slicing device. It is extremely sharp.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper

Take dough out of the freezer and remove parchment paper wrapping. With a sharp knife cut slices 1/4 inch thick. This dough won't rise or spread so arrange close together on baking sheet. Top each cookie with a key lime slice and firmly press the lime slice into the cookie dough. Sprinkle liberally with granulated sugar.

Bake for 5-7 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.

While cookies are still warm dust with confectioners' sugar. The limes will absorb the sugar leaving a wheel shape around the edge. You can eat the lime with the cookie or remove it for less of a bitter flavor. It's personal preference for bitterness. Great with tea!

Eat and enjoy. Yum!