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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
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Cooling time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 20 Cookies

Ingredients
  

Cookie Dough

  • 240 Grams All Purpose Flour (2 Cups)
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 2 tablespoon Lemon Zest (appoximately 2 lemons)
  • 2 tablespoon Lemon Juice (approximately 2 lemons)
  • 200 Grams Granulated Sugar (1 Cup)
  • 114 Grams Butter, room temperature (4 ounces or 1 stick)
  • 1 Large Egg, room temperature

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

  • 100 grams Granulated Sugar (½ cup)
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon Zest (zest from one lemon)

Lemon Filling

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°

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.

Make Cookies

  • Prepare 2 baking sheets by lining with parchment paper.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt and 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.
  • Add the egg and lemon juice and mix on low speed until incorporated.
  • 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.

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).
Keyword lemon cookies with curd, lemon thumbprint cookies
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