Description
Delightful Lemon Thumbprint Cookies bring zesty sunshine to classic shortbread with a tangy citrus center. Buttery crumbs and bright lemon curd create a perfect balance of sweet and tart that will charm cookie enthusiasts at first bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Filling:
- 1/2 cup lemon curd
Instructions
- Prepare the baking workspace by heating the oven to a moderate temperature of 350°F, ensuring an even cooking environment.
- Using an electric mixer, whip butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes airy and pale, creating a smooth base for the cookies.
- Incorporate egg yolks, vanilla extract, and fragrant lemon zest into the butter mixture, blending thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly.
- Gradually fold in flour and salt, gently mixing until a cohesive dough forms with a soft, pliable texture.
- Delicately shape the dough into small, uniform spheres approximately one inch in diameter, positioning them carefully on a prepared baking sheet.
- Create a gentle indentation in the center of each cookie using your thumb or the back of a small spoon, forming a small well for the filling.
- Carefully spoon lemon curd into the center of each cookie’s depression, ensuring an even distribution of the tangy filling.
- Transfer the cookie sheet to the preheated oven and bake for 12-14 minutes, watching for the edges to turn a light golden brown, indicating perfect doneness.
- Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack, enabling the lemon curd to set and the cookies to firm up.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened at room temperature for smooth, creamy mixing that prevents lumpy dough texture.
- Use fresh lemon zest for vibrant, bright citrus flavor that elevates the cookie’s overall taste profile.
- Create uniform cookie sizes by using a small cookie scoop or weighing each dough ball to guarantee consistent baking and appearance.
- Experiment with alternative fillings like raspberry jam or passion fruit curd for delightful flavor variations that complement the buttery cookie base.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg