No-Bake Key Lime Cookies (SCD, Paleo)

No-Bake cookies with a fresh & zesty key lime flavor! These SCD-friendly, paleo, dairy-free, grain-free, gluten-free, refined-sugar-free cookies are the perfect healthier summer dessert…

A Healthier Summer Dessert

If you’re anything like me, I avoid turning on my oven at all costs on hot summer days. No-bake desserts and meals become my go-to’s. My ride or dies. An indispensable staple in my life.

Drama aside, I really enjoy creating healthier no-bake treats to have stored in my refrigerator for hot days. Since I started following the Specific Carbohydrate Diet to help manage my IBD symptoms, traditional summer desserts have been off the table. Even though I definitely still miss my old favorites (ice cream, s’mores, fudge, donuts at the beach, etc), recipes like these no-bake key lime cookies still satisfies most of my cravings.

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The blend of zesty lime, sweet honey, and tropical coconut in this healthier summer dessert make these cookies dangerously good!

Why Pumpkin Seed Butter?

Pumpkin seeds (aka pepitas) are an absolute powerhouse when it comes to superfoods. Even though seeds are not generally considered to be “Legal” on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD), pumpkin seeds are an exception as long as you aren’t experiencing IBD symptoms.

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I always have pumpkin seeds and pumpkin seed butter on hand to use as a nutrient dense ingredient in salads, dishes, and even dessert recipes like this one! Pumpkin seeds are a fantastic source of healthy fats, plant-based protein, and essential nutrients.

Discovering unsweetened pumpkin seed butter has been revolutionary in my dessert repertoire. It has a nutty, slightly earthy neutral flavor profile that lends itself very well to other flavors. In these no-bake key lime cookies, the pumpkin seed butter pairs perfectly with the other sweet & zesty ingredients.

I always make sure to look for unsweetened pumpkin seed butter. Added refined sugar is known to be inflammatory for several different autoimmune diseases (including IBD) so I always try to avoid it when possible- even if its only in small amounts!

To sweeten it up, I like to add natural SCD-friendly sweeteners. Some of my favorites include honey and monk fruit.

Making and Storing No-Bake Cookies

Making no-bake cookies is super easy and almost foolproof, Burning, under-baking, and forgetting the baking soda are impossible scenarios for this recipe!

To make these cookies, simply mix all of the ingredients together & form the dough into a cookie shape. The dough should be very thick with an even distribution of lime zest and coconut flakes for texture. To achieve this, I found it easier to mix and knead the dough with my hands.

Because this recipe uses grain-free flours and no egg/baking soda/baking powder, you don’t have to worry about over-mixing the cookie dough.

I also recommend forming the cookies while the cookie dough is at room temperature. It seems to “stick” better while slightly warm. Once all of the no-bake key lime cookies are formed, place in the refrigerator to “set”.

What You’ll Need:

How to Make Key Lime No-Bake Cookies

Step 1: Combine all of the ingredients (except the coconut flakes) together in a mixing bowl. Mix well before stirring in the unsweetened coconut flakes.

Step 2: Scoop out the cookie dough with a 2-tablespoon measuring spoon. Form each ball of dough into a cookie shape with your hands.

Step 3: Loosely cover the cookies with Saran Wrap and refrigerate for about 1 hour to “set”. Serve the cookies chilled and store them in the refrigerator.

Optional: Garnish with a dash of fresh lime zest.

Pumpkin seed butter substitutes:

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