My Cookie Journey

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Summer Cookies
  • Recipes
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About Me
    • Summer Cookies
    • Recipes
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Cookies

    Lime with Dried Fruit and Macadamia Nut Cookies

    Published: Jul 28, 2023 · Updated: Apr 14, 2024 · by Barbara · This post may contain links on which I could make a small commission if an item is purchased · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Sometimes I love a rustic cookie filled with nuts, dried fruit, some chocolate, and, to top it off citrus infused cookie dough. You can swap out one or several parts to accommodate your and your family's tastes. I hope you enjoy baking and tasting my cookies with lime, dried fruit, and macadamia nuts.

    Close up picture of a lime with dried fruit and macadamia nut cookie.

    My local grocery store sells containers of all kinds of things. They dedicated a whole aisle on both sides for anything from nuts to candy and fruit.  Some of these containers contain mixed dried fruit, from berries to tropical. The dried fruit mix I purchased has cherries, blueberries, cranberries, and strawberries in the container.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Buying Macadamia Nuts
    • What Kind of Dried Fruit
    • The Best White Chocolate Chips
    • How to Bake Lime and Macadamia Nut Cookies
    • Prepping
    • Mixing the Lime and Dried Fruit Cookie Dough
    • How to Bake Refreshing Lime Cookies
    • FAQs
    • Other Lime or Macadamia Nut Cookies
    • Recipe

    Ingredients

    Lime with dried fruit and macadamia nut cookie ingredients.
    Jump to Recipe for Amounts
    • Butter unsalted 
    • Cream cheese 
    • Sugar white
    • Egg
    • Vanilla extract
    • Lime juice
    • Lime zest
    • All-purpose flour
    • Baking powder
    • Kosher salt
    • Mixed dried fruit 
    • Roasted macadamia nuts
    • White chocolate chips

    Buying Macadamia Nuts

    These nuts come in various ways, salted, unsalted, and dry roasted (which can be salted or unsalted). What do I choose? Well, the answer is, "It depends." The health benefits of the macadamia nut are very impressive. The macadamia nut is known for its buttery, rich taste, and high nutritional value. I found an article on webmd.com that details the Health Benefits of Macadamia Nuts.

    If I want to add flavor to my cookies and some crunch, I always opt for the roasted unsalted variety. You can roast or toast them at home if raw macadamia nuts are the only type you can find. The Spruce Eats has a detailed web page on How to Roast and Toast Macadamia Nuts.

    Different macadamia nuts based on dry-roasted and shelled with a little oil.

    The macadamia nuts on the left are unsalted and dry-roasted. The macadamia nuts on the right are packaged from Diamond and unsalted but smooth looking with just a little rosemary extract. It gives the nuts a slightly oily look.

    When I am looking at the macadamia nut, the one that looks a little drier and not smooth seem to have a little more crunch to them, so I picked these for this cookie. Both macadamia nuts are good, so it is not about taste but about texture.

    Either would go well with the dried fruit and lime, so you can't go wrong with either. I would avoid the salted for this cookie because the salted can be really salty.

    What Kind of Dried Fruit

    Almost all dried fruit will pair nicely with the flavor of lime in the cookie dough. The two combinations that I have done have been tropical flavors and berries. I am lucky to have a local store that makes these containers of mixed-dried fruit depending on the season. This makes it so easy for me to swap between the different types.

    The tropical combination contains dried apricots, bananas, papayas, and apples. I did have to chop them up a little more since the apple came in bigger pieces. But when I went to the store this past week, they had a wonderful berry combination.

    The berry combination contained blueberries, cherries, cranberries, and strawberries. All of these berries would work with the lime and macadamia nuts. The great part is they were all a good size, so I did not have to cut up any of them.

    The great part is that you can make your own dried fruit mixture. Nuts.com has a whole page dedicated to dried fruit. Purchase 3 or 4 of the selections that you like. You may have to cut some of them into smaller pieces. But check out your local store to see if they have a bulk aisle; they may surprise you and have what you are looking for.

    The Best White Chocolate Chips

    There is no shortage of companies making white chocolate baking chips. I have tried most of them in my cookies, and the one I continually return to is the Ghirardelli Classic White. But I also like Hershey's Premier White and Nestle Toll House Premier White. You can't go wrong with any of these three.

    Of course, you may have a brand that you reach for every time you need white chocolate chips, which is perfectly OK. You may be the shopper that buys whatever brand is on sale, which is a great way to try all the different makers. This allows you to compare and understand which brand you prefer.

    Just know there is no right or wrong answer to which is the best because it will always come down to your taste and cost. I did find that Taste of Home did an extensive taste test of white chocolate chips called The Best White Chocolate Chips, According to Test Kitchen Bakers that you can check out.

    How to Bake Lime and Macadamia Nut Cookies

    Having all my ingredients ready when I start putting together and mixing my cookie dough always works out better for me. Weighing, zesting, and chopping goes pretty fast, and I have all my ingredients in bowls around my mixer. I weigh all my dry ingredients, but you can measure if you do not have a scale.

    Prepping

    First, I start by weighing the sugar into a bowl and setting it aside. Now, I weigh the flour in another bowl and add the baking powder and salt. I run a whisk through to blend.

    Zesting and juicing limes on a cutting board with a bowl, zester and juicer.

    Next, I zest and juice the limes. Don't go too deep when zesting the outside of the lime.

    Chopping up roasted macadamia nuts on cutting board with sharp knife.

    Finally, I rough chop the roasted macadamia nuts into nice chunks. Now it is time to make the cookie dough.

    Mixing the Lime and Dried Fruit Cookie Dough

    Cubed butter and block of cream cheese ready to be creamed with a mixer.

    Start with room-temperature butter and cream cheese. Mix on a medium mixer speed mix for 1 to 2 minutes. You want them creamed together.

    Creamed butter and cream cheese in a mixer bowl.

    Still, on a medium mixer speed, add the sugar and mix for 3 minutes. Then scrape down the sides of the mixer bowl.

    Butter, cream cheese, and sugar with soft peaks after mixing for 2 minutes.

    Add the vanilla extract and the egg mixing until the egg is incorporated.

    Adding lime zest and juice to cookie dough.

    Next, blend the lime zest and juice into the cookie dough. I scrape down the sides of the bowl and, on a slow mixer speed, gradually add the flour mixture.

    Adding dried mixed berries and white chocolate chips to cookies dough in a mixer bowl.

    I now add the white chocolate chips, chopped macadamia nut, and mixed dried berries. Incorporating these into the cookie dough takes about 15 to 20 seconds.

    Lime with dried fruit and macadamia nut cookie dough completely mixed and ready to be chilled.

    Taking the bowl off the mixer stand, I use a spatula to ensure all the flour is incorporated and all the components are mixed evenly throughout the cookie dough.

    Cover and refrigerate for 60 minutes. I refrigerate for an hour to infuse the lime zest and lime juice into the butter, sugar, and flour.

    How to Bake Refreshing Lime Cookies

    Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C or 180°C). Parchment paper is what I use for lining my cookie sheet pans. If you prefer silicone mats, use what you know and love. Prepare two cookie sheet pans with your preferred method.

    Cookies flattened slightly to form a rustic looking cookie on a parchment lined cookie sheet pan.

    I use a medium cookie scooper and place 12 cookie mounds on a prepared cookie sheet pan. For the cookies to have a consistent bake, I flatten the tops a little using my three fingers. Don't press down too hard; you want them to be about the same thickness. This gives them that rustic look.

    Bake at 350°F (175°C or 180°C) for 11 to 13 minutes. Move them to a cooling rack once they are out of the oven.

    Rustic shaped Lime with dried fruit and macadamia nut cookies on a plank with napkin next to the cookies.

    I hope you enjoy!

    FAQs

    Can I use a different type of nut instead of macadamia nuts?

    Yes, macadamia nuts can be substituted with almonds, pecans, or walnuts. The cookies might have a slightly different taste, but they'll still be delicious!

    How should I store these cookies to maintain their freshness?

    Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay fresh for about a week. If you need to keep them longer, you can freeze them in a zip-top bag.

    How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

    The cookies are done when the edges are lightly browned and the center is still a little soft. They will firm up as they cool.

    Can I use lime juice without the lime zest?

    Lime zest provides a stronger, more concentrated flavor than lime juice. If you don't have a zester or grater, you can use lime juice, but remember that the taste might be more subtle.

    Other Lime or Macadamia Nut Cookies

    • Close up of a creamy key lime cheesecake bar.
      Key Lime Cheesecake Bars
    • White chocolate macadamia nut cookie closeup with nuts and chocolate showing though the cookie.
      White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
    • Stack of mango lime with macadamia nut cookies for feature image.
      Mango Lime with Macadamia Nut Cookies

    Recipe

    Close up picture of a lime with dried fruit and macadamia nut cookie.
    QR Code

    Lime with Dried Fruit and Macadamia Nut Cookies

    Barbara Hall
    This is a late summer into fall cookie. The mix of berries compliments the lime, which in turn compliments the roasted macadamia nuts.
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Bake Time 33 minutes mins
    Chill 1 hour hr
    Total Time 1 hour hr 48 minutes mins
    Course Cookies, Nuts
    Cuisine American
    Servings 28 cookies
    Calories 152 kcal

    Would you like to save this recipe?

    We'll email a link of this post to you, so you can come back any time!

    Ingredients
     

    • ½ cup (113.5 g) Butter unsalted room temperature
    • 4 oz (4 oz) Cream cheese room temperature
    • 1 cup (200 g) Sugar white
    • 1 (1) Egg
    • 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon) Vanilla extract
    • 1 Tablespoon (1 Tablespoon) Lime juice
    • 1 Tablespoon (1 Tablespoon) Lime zest
    • 2 ½ cups (312.5 g) All-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon) Baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) Kosher salt
    • 1 cup (40 g) Mixed dried fruit cherries, cranberries, blueberries, and strawberries
    • ½ cup (67 g) Roasted macadamia nuts
    • ½ cup (90 g) White chocolate chips

    Instructions
     

    • Weigh or measure the flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl and run a whisk through to blend. In another bowl, weigh or measure the sugar and set it aside. Zest and juice limes into separate bowls and set aside. Next, rough chop the roasted macadamia nuts.
    • Add the butter and cream cheese in a stand or handheld mixer and mix on medium speed for about 1 to 2 minutes. Add the sugar and mix for another 3 minutes. Next, add the egg and incorporate it. At this point, I stop and scrape down the sides and bottom of the mixing bowl.
    • Add the lime zest, lime juice, and vanilla extract and blend for a minute at medium speed. Turn the mixer to low and gradually add and incorporate the flour mixture. Turn the mixer off and scrape down the sides. Next, add the dried fruit, macadamia nuts, and white chocolate chips; mix for about 15 seconds. You just want them to spread throughout the cookie dough. Cover the bowl lightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for an hour.
    • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C or 180°C), line 2 cookie sheet pans with parchment paper, and set them aside. Using a medium-sized cookie scoop, place 12 scoops on a pan. Using your fingers, press down on the top of the mound. This will flatten them out a bit and bake even. Bake for 11-13 minutes. They should be golden brown on the bottom of the cookie. Move them to a cooling rack to finish.

    Share this recipe

    NUTRITION DISCLAIMER

    I am not a certified Dietitian or Nutritionist. The nutrition amounts given below are provided through a program and are only a guideline.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 152kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 2gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 76mgPotassium: 49mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 166IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 27mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Cookies

    • Honey almond glazed cookies feature photo.
      Honey Almond Glazed Cookies
    • Red white and blue MM cookies ready for the 4th of July.
      Red White and Blue M&M Cookies
    • Apple cider cookies sitting on a flat plat on top of a wooden board.
      Apple Cider Cookies Just Like a Fall Day at the Orchard
    • Apple cinnamon sugar cookies on a wooden board for feature photo.
      Apple Cinnamon Sugar Cookies
    5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

    Join the Discussion Cancel reply

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

    Rate Recipe




    Barb the owner of my cookie journey head shot.

    Hi, I'm Barbara Hall, the baker and photographer behind My Cookie Journey, a blog devoted to creating and sharing unique cookie recipes. A retired IT pro, I now spend my day's baking, styling, and snapping photos of cookies that have been featured in multiple regional magazines.

    More about me →

    Sign-up

    Yes, I want free cookie recipes...

    Summer Cookies for Picnics & Cookouts!

    Front view of the start cookie that is the 4th of July Lemon Sugar Cookies.

    Summer Cookies

    Pineapple coconut with lemon glaze cookie close-up.

    What's popular...

    • Stacks of PA Dutch Sand Tarts which are round with cinnamon sugar and a pecan half on top.
      Pennsylvania Dutch Sand Tart Cookies
    • Second single closeup of a traditional Sicilian Almond Cookies.
      Traditional Sicilian (traditional Italian) Almond Cookies
    • Stack of Cardamom Orange shortbread cookies with slices of orange skin.
      Cardamom Orange Shortbread Cookies
    • Rosemary lemon with honey cookies on white dish.
      Rosemary with Lemon and Honey Shortbread Cookies
    • Cardamom Orange with Cinnamon Pizzelle
    • Plate full of apricot with almonds cookies, with plenty of white chocolate icing.
      Fresh Apricot with Almonds Cookies - Revised

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Hosted By WPopt AB

    • Contact
    • View All Cookies

    Copyright © 2025 My Cookie Journey

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.