Name: Key Lime Pie Cookies (Crumbl Copycat) Recipe
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup salted butter, softened; ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed; ½ cup granulated sugar; ½ cup canola or vegetable oil; 2 large eggs; 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract; 2½ cups all-purpose flour; 2½ cups graham cracker crumbs, divided (1½ cups and 1 cup); 2 teaspoons cornstarch; 1½ teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 1½ cups heavy whipping cream; 28 ounces sweetened condensed milk; 16 ounces cream cheese, softened; 10 ounces lime juice (freshly squeezed); ½ cup sour cream; Whipped cream; Graham cracker crumbs; Lime wedges (from 2-3 limes); Lime zest (from 2-3 limes)

Jump to Recipe· 3.9 from 43 reviews

If you have a serious sweet tooth and a love for zesty flavors, then you are going to adore this Key Lime Pie Cookies (Crumbl Copycat) Recipe. Imagine biting into a dense, buttery cookie lovingly coated in crunchy graham cracker crumbs, perfectly complemented by a luscious, tangy lime filling that tastes just like your favorite Key lime pie. It’s a showstopper dessert that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, bringing that bright citrus sunshine straight to your kitchen in cookie form. Whether you’re craving something fresh after dinner or want an impressive treat to share with friends, these cookies do not disappoint!

Ingredients You’ll Need

A clear glass bowl filled with a single, thick layer of whipped cream swirled into soft, smooth peaks that are pure white in color. The cream has a fluffy, light texture with fine, curving ridges that form a spiral, rising high in the center and tapering down toward the edges of the bowl. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with blurred green and yellow fruits in the background, adding a fresh, natural touch. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The beauty of this Key Lime Pie Cookies (Crumbl Copycat) Recipe lies in its simplicity and how each ingredient works magic together. From the richness of the butter to the zing of fresh lime juice, every component plays an essential role in delivering the perfect balance of texture, sweetness, and tartness.

1 cup salted butter, softened: Provides a rich, creamy base for the cookie dough and keeps them moist and tender.
¾ cup light brown sugar, packed: Adds a subtle caramel note and helps keep the cookies soft.
½ cup granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and enhances the cookie’s structure.
½ cup canola or vegetable oil: Ensures a moist texture without overpowering flavors.
2 large eggs: Give the dough structure and help bind the ingredients.
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract: Adds a warm, aromatic depth to the cookie dough.
2½ cups all-purpose flour: The main structure builder for the cookies, creating a dense but tender crumb.
2½ cups graham cracker crumbs, divided: Adds authentic graham cracker flavor and a crunchy exterior coating.
2 teaspoons cornstarch: Helps keep the cookies soft and slightly delicate in texture.
1½ teaspoons baking powder: Gives a subtle lift to the cookie dough for a softer bite.
1 teaspoon salt: Balances the flavors and prevents the sweetness from becoming cloying.
1½ cups heavy whipping cream: Whipped to create a fluffy key lime pie filling that’s impossible to resist.
28 ounces sweetened condensed milk: Adds creamy sweetness and gives the filling its classic pie-like consistency.
16 ounces cream cheese, softened: Brings tang and richness, perfectly complementing the lime brightness.
10 ounces lime juice: The star ingredient that brings a fresh, zesty punch to the filling.
½ cup sour cream: Adds a silky, slightly tangy finish to the creamy filling.
Whipped cream (for garnish): Optional, but highly recommended for an extra layer of indulgence.
Additional graham cracker crumbs (for garnish): To sprinkle on top, adding crunchy texture and visual appeal.
Lime wedges and lime zest (for garnish): Fresh garnishes that enhance the cookie’s citrusy charm.

How to Make Key Lime Pie Cookies (Crumbl Copycat) Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Setup and Dough

First up, preheat your oven to 325°F and line a baking sheet with all your 4-inch tart tins. These tins are important for getting that authentic Crumbl cookie shape. Then, in your stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the softened butter, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, canola oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Beat this mixture on medium to high speed until it’s fluffy and light—this usually takes about 3 to 4 minutes. This step is where you build the buttery base for the cookie that results in a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients and Form the Dough

Next, add your all-purpose flour, 1½ cups of graham cracker crumbs, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt to the bowl. Keep the speed moderate and mix until everything just comes together into a dough. Overmixing can toughen your cookies, so be gentle but thorough. Then, pour the remaining 1 cup of graham cracker crumbs into a shallow bowl—this will be used for rolling your dough balls and creating that signature crumb coating.

Step 3: Shape and Bake the Cookies

Now it gets fun! Scoop ¼ cup-sized dough balls and roll each one into the reserved graham cracker crumbs to coat thoroughly. Place each coated dough ball into a tart tin, then use the flat bottom of a cup or measuring cup lightly dipped in graham cracker crumbs to press and flatten the dough into each tin. Be sure to press firmly enough to create a little cavity in the center for the filling later. Place the filled tart tins on your baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the cookies are just starting to turn golden around the edges. Once baked, set them aside to cool completely before filling.

Step 4: Whip Up the Luscious Key Lime Filling

While your cookies cool, whip the heavy whipping cream in your mixer until stiff peaks form—this is key for getting a light and airy filling. Set the whipped cream aside. Next, in a clean bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. With the mixer running, slowly pour in the sweetened condensed milk, then add the sour cream and finally the freshly squeezed lime juice. Beat the filling for a couple of minutes until it’s silky and uniformly creamy. Gently fold in the whipped cream, combining it carefully so the mixture stays fluffy and light.

Step 5: Assemble and Garnish Your Cookies

Once the cookie bases have cooled, scoop and mound the luscious lime filling evenly into each cavity. To make these Key Lime Pie Cookies (Crumbl Copycat) Recipe even more irresistible, top each cookie with a swirl of whipped cream, a sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs, a little lime zest, and a thin wedge of fresh lime. These garnishes don’t just look beautiful but add extra layers of flavor and texture that take these cookies to the next level.

How to Serve Key Lime Pie Cookies (Crumbl Copycat) Recipe

The image shows several small round tarts arranged on a metal cooling rack over a white marbled surface. Each tart has a golden, crumbly crust as the base layer with a creamy white filling on top. Every tart is decorated with a thin, round slice of green lime placed slightly off-center, and a dollop of white cream sits on the lime slice. There are some small green lime zest sprinkles scattered over the cream. Around the rack, whole bright green limes and a wedge of lime are visible, adding fresh color contrast. A soft green-and-white striped cloth is partially seen on the right side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Nothing brightens these cookies more than a handful of fresh lime zest and a small lime wedge placed on top—they not only look stunning but give an added burst of fresh citrus aroma with each bite. The whipped cream star and extra graham cracker crumbs finish off the look perfectly, creating a delightful texture contrast that elevates the whole dessert experience.

Side Dishes

Though these cookies truly stand alone as a show-stopping dessert, they pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a chilled glass of milk for dipping. For a fun twist, serve them alongside a fresh fruit salad featuring berries and tropical fruits which echo the citrus notes, keeping the overall dessert light and refreshing.

Creative Ways to Present

Consider presenting these cookies on a beautiful rustic wooden board, sprinkled with extra graham cracker crumbs and lime zest around the edges to make the display inviting and vibrant. For parties, pipe the filling into mini cookie tart shells as bite-sized treats, or serve the cookies stacked with small dollops of whipped cream and a few lime slices for an irresistibly eye-catching dessert tower.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers (which might be rare!), store the cookies in a single layer inside an airtight container in the refrigerator. This helps keep the cookies firm and the filling fresh. Enjoy them within one to two days, as the cookies tend to get a little too soft after that timeframe.

Freezing

These Key Lime Pie Cookies (Crumbl Copycat) Recipe treats can also be frozen for longer storage. Wrap each cookie individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator to maintain their perfect texture and flavor balance.

Reheating

Because these cookies are best served chilled, reheating isn’t necessary. However, if you’d like to gently warm the cookie base before adding fresh filling, you can pop the cookie shell in a low 250°F oven for a few minutes until just warmed. Be sure not to heat too long, or the filling and texture may be compromised.

FAQs

Can I make Key Lime Pie Cookies (Crumbl Copycat) Recipe without tart tins?

Absolutely! If you don’t have tart tins, just roll the dough into balls, coat with graham cracker crumbs, and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Use the bottom of a ½-cup measuring cup to gently press a well into the center of each dough ball before baking. This creates the perfect cavity for the filling just like a tart tin would.

How many cookies does this recipe yield?

This recipe yields about 18 cookies when using 4-inch tart tins, which is the size recommended to closely match Crumbl’s iconic cookies. Using different sized tins or shaping methods may alter the total number of cookies.

Can these cookies be made ahead of time?

Yes! You can bake and store the cookie shells separately in an airtight container, then prepare the filling and keep it chilled in a Ziplock bag. When ready to serve, simply pipe the filling into the cookie shells for fresh, impressive treats.

What is the best way to get the texture just like the Crumbl Key Lime Pie Cookies?

The key is using a mix of butter and oil in the dough, rolling the cookies in graham cracker crumbs, and pressing them into 4-inch tart tins to create that distinct shape and texture. The creamy, whipped filling also plays a critical role, so don’t skip that step!

How long do these cookies stay fresh?

When stored properly in the refrigerator, these cookies stay fresh and delicious for about 1 to 2 days. Beyond that, the cookie base may soften too much, so it’s best to enjoy them fresh or keep components separate to maintain ideal texture.

Final Thoughts

There’s something incredibly satisfying about nailing a copycat recipe that captures all the beloved qualities of your favorite dessert, and this Key Lime Pie Cookies (Crumbl Copycat) Recipe does just that. With its crumbly graham cracker exterior and that dreamy, tangy lime filling, it’s the kind of cookie that turns an ordinary day into a celebration. I can’t wait for you to make these at home, share them with loved ones, and discover just how addictive these little bites of citrus heaven really are!