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Home » My Latest Recipes

Lemon Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Jul 15, 2023 · 4 Comments

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What is better than lemon cookies? How about lemon thumbprint cookies filled with zesty lemon curd!? The contrast between the soft cookie and the creamy lemon curd filling creates an memorable mouthfeel.

inside of lemon thumbprint cookies

This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to the terms page for more information.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Lemon Thumbprint Cookies Instructions
  • Variations
  • Storage
  • Top tips
  • FAQs for lemon curd thumbprint cookies
  • Related
  • 📋 Recipe
  • Food safety

Ingredients

This lemon thumbprint cookie recipe is relatively simple to make and only requires a handful of basic ingredients.

  • Unsalted butter: Bring the butter to room temperature before starting the cookie dough
  • Granulated sugar
  • One egg: use a room temperature egg. This recipe uses the 'creaming mixing method' which incorporates air into the cookie dough while mixing together the butter and sugar. A cold egg may cause the dough to curdle during the initial stages of mixing.
  • Fresh lemon zest and lemon juice
  • Baking soda and salt
  • All-purpose flour: I prefer an unbleached flour but you may use any all-purpose flour.
  • Lemon curd: store bought or homemade is fine. If you prefer to make your own, check out my lemon curd recipe.
lemon curd recipe from dessertswithstephanie.com

See recipe card for quantities.

Lemon Thumbprint Cookies Instructions

Making the cookie dough is fairly straightforward. Just follow the instructions in the recipe card below.

An optional step I include in this recipe is rolling the cookies in a lemon/sugar mixture prior to baking. This adds a bit of crunch to the outside of the cookie and ups the lemony goodness. Check out the short video below for a demonstration:

The lemon cookie dough comes together quickly, and the process of making the thumbprint indentations is easy and fun - so grab some kids and have them help.

Variations

Instead of the lemon curd consider filling the cookie center with raspberry, blackberry or strawberry preserves. Any of these flavors pair nicely with lemon.

Storage

Keep the lemon cookies in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days (the curd is perishable and should be kept cold). Also, you may freeze the cookies for up to 2 months. To defrost, remove from freezer and place in refrigerator for 2 hours.

thumbprint cookies with lemon curd

Top tips

Use a light hand when zesting your lemons - just take off the outer portion of the lemon. Digging too far into the pith may result in a bitter cookie.

The well in the center of the cookies may mimize while baking. If so, use the back of a teaspoon and lightly press into the center of the cookie to extend the well (this hole is where the lemon curd will be placed).

Lemons

FAQs for lemon curd thumbprint cookies

Can I make the lemon curd cookies gluten-free?

Yes, simply replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour.

Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

  • vegan lemon cookie recipe for dessertswithstephanie.com
    Easy Vegan Lemon Cookies Recipe
  • inside of key lime cookie
    Key Lime Pie Cookies
  • lemon cookies with blueberries
    Blueberry Lemon Cookies Recipe
  • french baked lemon tart
    Classic Lemon Tart Recipe and Video

📋 Recipe

thumbprint cookies with lemon curd

Lemon Curd Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

A lemon cookie with the perfect balance of tartness and sweetness filled with homemade lemon curd.
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Cooling time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 45 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 20 Cookies
Calories 148 kcal

Equipment

  • Hand Mixer or
  • Stand Mixer
  • 2 Cookie Sheets
  • 2 Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
  • Bowls, measuring cups and spoons
  • 1 Rubber spatula

Ingredients
 
 

Cookie Dough

  • 2 Cups All Purpose Flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 2 tablespoon Lemon Zest (appoximately 2 lemons)
  • 2 tablespoon Lemon Juice (approximately 2 lemons)
  • 1 Cup Granulated Sugar
  • ½ Cup Butter, room temperature
  • 1 Large Egg, room temperature

Lemon Sugar - Optional (for rolling cookies prior to baking)

  • ½ Cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon Zest (zest from one lemon)

Lemon Filling

  • ½ Batch Lemon Curd See Recipe

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350℉ (180℃)

Make Lemon Sugar (optional)

  • Zest one lemon and add to a small bowl with ½ cup of granulated sugar. Using your fingertips, rub the lemon and sugar together for one minute. Set bowl aside and use to roll cookies in after scooping and before baking.
    1 tablespoon Lemon Zest, ½ Cup Granulated Sugar

Make Cookies

  • Prepare 2 baking sheets by lining with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt and lemon zest.
    2 Cups All Purpose Flour, ½ teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon Salt, 2 tablespoon Lemon Zest
  • Using a stand-mixer with the paddle attachment, begin creaming the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (approximately 2 - 4 minutes on medium speed). Scrape the bowl as needed. Note: a hand-mixer may be used.
    ½ Cup Butter, room temperature, 1 Cup Granulated Sugar
  • Add the egg and lemon juice and mix on low speed until incorporated.
    1 Large Egg, room temperature, 2 tablespoon Lemon Juice
  • Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until combined.
  • Using a small cookie scooper create balls of dough (approximately 2 tablespoons per cookie). Roll the dough in the lemon sugar (optional).
  • Place the cookies onto the parchment-lined baking sheets. Leave approximately 2 inches of space between each cookie.
  • Using your thumb or the back of a teaspoon, press into the middle of each cookie to make a well.
  • Bake cookies for 10 - 12 minutes or until the tops are a pale golden color.
  • Let cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 to 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely (note: if the 'cookie well' has minimized, press lightly again with your thumb or the back of a teaspoon to make the well larger).
  • Spoon lemon curd into the well of each cookie.
    ½ Batch Lemon Curd

Notes

Storage: keep cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days (the curd is perishable and should be kept cold).

Nutrition

Calories: 148kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 2gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 184mgPotassium: 21mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 156IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 6mgIron: 1mg
Keyword lemon cookies with curd, lemon thumbprint cookies
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Food safety

  • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
  • Wash hands after touching raw meat
  • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
  • Never leave cooking food unattended
  • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

More Cookies

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    Eggless Oatmeal Cookies
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    Eggless Apple Cookies Recipe
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    Easy Almond Flour Cookies
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    Football Whoopie Pies with Cake Mix

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Monidipa Dutta says

    January 23, 2024 at 4:11 am

    5 stars
    These lemon thumbprint cookies are a delightful treat! The burst of citrus flavor is simply amazing. I appreciate your easy-to-follow recipe; it made baking a breeze. The combination of sweet and tangy is perfection. Thank you for sharing this delightful recipe – it's now a favorite in my kitchen!

    Reply
  2. Beth says

    January 18, 2024 at 8:43 pm

    5 stars
    Yummy with a capital YUM! I love that rich lemon center and that wonderful cookie texture.

    Reply
  3. Debra says

    August 30, 2023 at 1:14 pm

    5 stars
    Delish. My first time making thumbprint cookies with lemon in the center....that zing is so perfect for a balance with the sweet.

    Reply
  4. Gloria says

    August 30, 2023 at 1:04 pm

    5 stars
    I am a lemon lover. These cute little cookies are perfect for dessert any day. Great to take to parties too.

    Reply
5 from 3 votes (1 rating without comment)

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Welcome to Desserts With Stephanie. I hope you enjoy your visit. All the recipes and techniques I discuss on this site have been fully tested in my bakery for more than 15 years. Let's have some fun in the kitchen and put a smile on someone's face with a little sweetness.

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