Description
Brighten your day with Easy Lemon Curd Thumbprint Cookies! These buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies are filled with a tangy lemon curd center, offering the perfect balance of richness and zestiness. Perfect for holidays, tea parties, or gifting, they’re as easy to make as they are to enjoy.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough:
- 10 tablespoons (140 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
For the Filling:
- ¼ cup lemon curd (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Prepare the Wet Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, granulated sugar, and lemon zest using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine the Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and optional nutmeg.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just incorporated.
- Shape the Dough:
- Scoop and roll the dough into 1–1.5-inch balls.
- Place the dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them 1–2 inches apart.
- Create Thumbprints:
- Use your thumb or the back of a cookie scoop to make a small well in the center of each ball.
- Chill the cookies in the refrigerator for 30–60 minutes to prevent spreading.
- Bake the Cookies:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Bake the cookies for 8 minutes, then remove them from the oven.
- Fill with Lemon Curd:
- Carefully spoon about 1 teaspoon of lemon curd into the indentation of each cookie.
- Turn off the oven and return the cookies inside for 2 minutes to gently set the curd.
- Cool and Serve:
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5–10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Use high-quality lemon curd for the best flavor.
- Refrigerating the dough prevents spreading during baking.
- Ensure the butter is at room temperature for smooth mixing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American