Making Lime Jello Cookies is as easy as 1-2-3, and they have such a fun and bright citrus flavor!

These lime Jello sugar cookies combine sweet and tart flavors with a beautiful green hue — a simple, crowd-pleasing dessert.

We’re big fans of cookies made with Jello: they’re easy to prepare, reliably tender, and full of flavor. This recipe is the same basic Jello cookie approach I use for other flavors — just swap in lime Jello powder for a bright citrus twist.

The method is straightforward: cream, mix, scoop, bake, and optionally top with a cream cheese frosting. The cookies are soft and slightly chewy with a lively lime taste. They’re perfect for spring gatherings, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, or any time you want a colorful, flavorful treat.

More Shortcut Cookie Recipes You’ll Love:

• Lemon Pudding Crinkle Cookies
• Pistachio Pudding Cookies
• Bisquick Sugar Cookies
• Brownie Mix Cookies

How To Make Colorful Jello Cookies

The secret to the vivid color and fruity flavor is the gelatin powder. I use Jello in both the cookie dough and the frosting. When preparing the cookies, set aside 1 tablespoon of the lime Jello powder to stir into the cream cheese frosting for a matching tint and extra flavor.

If you prefer an even more intense color, a few drops of food coloring will do the trick, but most times the gelatin provides plenty of color on its own. For a festive variation, make several small batches using different Jello flavors to create a rainbow assortment — great for parties or gift plates.

How to Make Lime Jello Cookies

These cookies are quick to prepare and forgiving, making them a great choice for both new and experienced bakers.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3-oz box lime Jello (reserve 1 TBSP powder for frosting)
• 2 eggs
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• For rolling: 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• For frosting: 1/4 cup butter, softened; 1 oz cream cheese, softened; 2 cups powdered sugar; 1–2 TBSP milk; reserved 1 TBSP lime Jello powder

How to Make It:

(Full printable recipe card below)

1. Preheat and prepare. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

2. Cream butter and sugar. In a mixer bowl, beat the softened butter and 3/4 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the lime Jello powder and mix until combined.

3. Add eggs. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

4. Combine dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. With the mixer on low, gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients just until a soft dough forms.

5. Scoop and roll. Use a cookie scoop to portion dough into small balls. Roll each ball in the 1/4 cup granulated sugar to coat, then place on the prepared baking sheet. Gently flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass so they bake evenly.

6. Bake. Bake for about 9–11 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers still glisten slightly. Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 3–5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

7. Frost. To make the cream cheese frosting, beat together 1/4 cup softened butter and 1 oz softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add 2 cups powdered sugar, then add 1–2 tablespoons milk until you reach a spreadable consistency. Stir in the reserved 1 tablespoon lime Jello powder and beat until smooth. Spread onto cooled cookies.

Notes and Adaptations:

• Reserve 1 tablespoon of the Jello powder from the box to mix into the frosting for color and flavor.
• Swap the lime Jello for any flavor you like — strawberry, lemon, pistachio, and more all work well.
• To make cutout cookies, chill the dough for about 2 hours, roll out, and cut shapes before baking as directed.

Yield: Approx. 30 cookies

Easy Lime Jello Sugar Cookies

The lovely green hue of these lime Jello sugar cookies makes them a fun and tasty dessert—perfect for spring and seasonal celebrations.

Prep Time
10 minutes

Cook Time
9 minutes

Additional Time
10 minutes

Total Time
29 minutes

Ingredients

• For the Cookies:
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3-oz box lime Jello (reserve 1 TBSP for frosting)
• 2 eggs
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• For Rolling: 1/4 cup sugar
• For Frosting: 1/4 cup butter, 1 oz cream cheese, 2 cups powdered sugar, 1–2 TBSP milk, 1 TBSP reserved lime Jello powder

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
2. Beat butter and 3/4 cup sugar until light. Add lime Jello powder and mix to combine.
3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
4. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add to the wet mixture on low speed until just combined.
5. Scoop dough into balls, roll in 1/4 cup sugar, and place on the prepared baking sheet. Flatten slightly with a glass.
6. Bake 9–11 minutes until edges are set but centers still glisten. Cool on the baking sheet 3–5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
7. For frosting, beat butter and cream cheese, add powdered sugar, then milk to reach spreading consistency. Stir in reserved 1 TBSP lime Jello powder and spread on cooled cookies.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 30
Serving Size: 1 cookie

Amount per serving (approx): Calories: 171; Total Fat: 8g; Saturated Fat: 5g; Cholesterol: 34mg; Sodium: 127mg; Carbohydrates: 23g; Sugar: 14g; Protein: 2g.

Nutrition information is an estimate and not guaranteed for accuracy.