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    Home » Cookies & Bars

    Lemon Curd Cookies

    Published: August 25, 2023 · Modified: December 10, 2023 by Angela Allison ·

    Jump to Recipe
    Lemon curd cookies pin.

    These Lemon Curd Cookies have a delicious lemon flavor! They're easy to make, with simple ingredients, and are perfect for lemon lovers. Just roll the dough into little balls, make a thumbprint indentation, and fill it up with tangy lemon curd!

    Check out my Mexican Sprinkle Cookies and my Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies for more delicious cookie recipes!

    Side view of lemon cookies on a platter.
    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients You Need
    • Step By Step Photos
    • How To Make Lemon Curd Thumbprint Cookies From Scratch
    • Tips
    • Frequently Asked Questions About Lemon Thumbprint Cookies
    • More Lemon Recipes You Might Enjoy
    • Lemon Curd Cookies

    These lemon cookies are the epitome of the best lemon desserts and will become your new favorite lemony cookies. With each bite, you experience a balance of sweet and tart flavors.

    This lemon curd cookie recipe is the perfect treat for any time of day, whether you're enjoying them with a cup of tea or sneaking one as a midday pick-me-up.

    top view of lemon cookies on a platter.

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    The combination of buttery cookie dough and the tart lemon curd creates irresistible cookies. This recipe is a breeze to whip up with just a handful of ingredients and detailed instructions.

    These buttery thumbprint cookies strike the perfect balance between soft and crumbly.

    Ingredients You Need

    Lemon curd cookies labeled ingredients.
    • Unsalted butter: Provides a rich and creamy base that adds a wonderful flavor and tender texture to the cookies. Make sure it's at room temperature for easy mixing.
    • Granulated sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness to the cookies, balancing the tartness of the lemon curd. 
    • Large egg: Acts as a binding agent, helping to hold the cookie dough together. 
    • Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the cookies.
    • All-purpose flour: Provides structure and stability, resulting in cookies with a tender crumb.
    • Baking powder: A pinch of salt helps the cookies rise slightly and gives them a light and airy texture.
    • Salt: Enhances the sweetness while also reducing any potential bitterness.
    • Lemon curd: A tangy filling made from fresh lemon juice, sugar, eggs, and butter. It adds a burst of bright citrus flavor and a delightful gooey center to each cookie.

    Step By Step Photos

    Dry ingredients in a mixing bowl with a whisk.

    Whisk together the dry ingredients.

    Sugar and butter in a mixing bowl.

    Add butter and sugar to a bowl. Mix.

    An egg and vanilla on the mixed wet ingredients.

    Add egg and vanilla extract. Mix.

    Flour over the wet ingredients.

    Gradually add the dry ingredients.

    Cookie dough mixed together in a mixing bowl.

    Mix until just combined.

    A rounded drop of cookie dough on parchment paper.

    Roll the cookie dough.

    A thumbprint indentation in the formed cookie dough on parchment paper.

    Use thumb to make an indentation.

    Lemon curd on top of the unbaked cookie dough.

    Spoon a small amount of lemon curd.

    How To Make Lemon Curd Thumbprint Cookies From Scratch

    Step 1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350 °F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

    Step 2. Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugar, electric mixer, until light and fluffy.

    Step 3. Add egg and vanilla: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat until well combined.

    Step 4. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

    Step 5. Mix wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

    Step 6. Shape dough: Roll the dough into small cookie dough balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Make an indentation in the center of each cookie.

    Step 7. Add lemon curd: Spoon a teaspoon of lemon curd filling into the indentation of each cookie.

    Step 8. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until lightly golden around the edges.

    Step 9. Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Sprinkle with powdered sugar over the top of the curd, optional.

    NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!

    Lemon cookie cut in half.

    Tips

    • Make sure your butter is at room temperature before creaming it with the sugar. Softened butter blends more easily and evenly, resulting in a smoother cookie dough.
    • If the dough becomes too soft or sticky to handle, refrigerate it for 15-30 minutes before rolling into balls.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Lemon Thumbprint Cookies

    Can I make my own lemon curd for this recipe?

    Absolutely! While store bought lemon curd works perfectly fine, you can also make your own tangy homemade lemon curd.

    How should I store the cookies?

    Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days. 

    Can I freeze baked lemon curd cookies?

    Absolutely! For longer storage, once cooled, freeze them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes before serving.

    Can I freeze the cookie dough?

    Yes, shape the dough into balls, flash freeze on a baking sheet, and then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Thaw in the refrigerator before baking.

    More Lemon Recipes You Might Enjoy

    • lemon bars with graham cracker crust thumbnail picture.
      Lemon Bars With Graham Cracker Crust
    • lemon berry sunshine bites thumbnail picture.
      Lemon Berry Sunshine Bites
    • lemon raspberry loaf cake thumbnail picture.
      Lemon Raspberry Loaf Cake
    • lemon pudding bundt cake thumbnail picture.
      Lemon Pudding Bundt Cake

    If you love this recipe, please leave a comment with a five-star rating — or simply hit the five-star button in the recipe card. Don't forget to signup for my newsletter.

    Lemon curd cookies thumbnail picture.

    Lemon Curd Cookies

    Angela
    These lemon curd cookies are easy to make, with a simple dough that comes together in no time. Roll into balls and fill with lemon curd!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 12 minutes mins
    Total Time 32 minutes mins
    Course Cookies
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12
    Calories 315 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
    • ¾ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ cup lemon curd

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    • In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
    • Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, and beat until well combined.
    • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
    • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
    • Roll the cookie dough into small balls, and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Use your thumb to make an indentation in the center of each cookie.
    • Spoon a small amount of lemon curd into the indentation of each cookie.
    • Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, or until they are lightly golden brown around the edges.
    • Remove the cookies from the oven, and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

    Notes

    • Make sure your butter is at room temperature before creaming it with the sugar. Softened butter blends more easily and evenly, resulting in a smoother cookie dough.
    • If the dough becomes too soft or sticky to handle, refrigerate it for 15-30 minutes before rolling into balls.
    • Storing: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days. 
    • Freezing: For longer storage, once cooled, freeze them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes before serving.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 315kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 4gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 54mgSodium: 142mgPotassium: 35mgFiber: 1gSugar: 17g

    All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

    Keyword Lemon Curd Cookies
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    5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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    Angela Allison

    I'm Angela and I'm so glad you're here! I've been baking delicious and simple desserts for 25+ years and I can't wait to share my easy creations with you! About Me

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