Lemon Curd Cookies

Last Updated on June 16, 2021 by Chenée Lewis

Thumbprint cookies are so fun! I love making my peanut butter and jelly thumbprint cookies for a yummy nostalgic treat, and my cinnamon-dusted salted caramel thumbprint cookies are always a huge hit! But I have a soft spot for lemon goodies, so these lemon curd cookies may be my new favorites! They’re buttery lemon shortbread cookies filled with rich, tart lemon curd, and they’re SO easy to make! Best of all, you can feel free to use either homemade lemon curd or save time with store-bought lemon curd!

What can you do with lemon curd?

The recipe for the homemade lemon curd for these cookies comes from my lemon coconut layer cake, which can be found in my Sweet Summertime cookbook! Making that cake was a useful reminder that there are SO many delicious uses for your leftover lemon curd once you’re done making these lemon curd cookies! My favorite is to use the lemon curd as an ice cream topping! Just spoon it over some creamy vanilla ice cream and enjoy the contrast of the sweet and tart flavors. I also love lemon curd as a topping on pastries, toast, biscuits, crepes pancakes, yogurt, and other breakfast goodies.

Lemon curd is also perfect as a dessert filling or topping. Think cheesecake, layer cake, cupcakes, or tarts. And of course, these lemon curd cookies are always a good idea!

Ingredients

• all-purpose flour – because these lemon curd cookies have a shortbread base, it’s important to measure your flour correctly. I recommend measuring flour by weight using a kitchen scale, or using the spoon-and-level method.
• lemon zest – use a microplane grater to remove the outer peel of the lemon to add a brighter lemon flavor to these lemon curd cookies. I prefer to use organic lemons when I’m zesting them, since the coating added to conventional lemons can inhibit the lemon flavor.
• salted butter – your butter should be cold and cut into cubes. I like to cut it into cubes, then place it back in the fridge or freezer to chill again before using. If you prefer to use unsalted butter, just add ½ teaspoon of salt in with your dry ingredients.
• vanilla extract –  be sure to use a high-quality pure vanilla extract. Or better yet, check out my post on how to make vanilla extract at home with just 2 ingredients!
• powdered sugar – sift your powdered sugar before measuring, or use a kitchen scale to measure out 115 grams by weight.
• lemon curd – I include a recipe below for a delicious homemade lemon curd, but you can also use your favorite store-bought lemon curd to save time making these lemon curd cookies!
• turbinado sugar – we’ll be using turbinado sugar to add a sweet crunch to the top of our cookies! If you don’t have any turbinado sugar, feel free to use white sparkling sugar or just omit it altogether.

Equipment

This is a pretty simple lemon curd cookies recipe, so you’ll mostly need basic cookie tools — a large baking sheet and liner, and an electric mixer. You’ll also want to grab a microplane grater to zest your lemon, and a wooden spoon or other tool to press out the “thumbprint.” I like to use a wine cork!

Tips and F.A.Q.

Related Recipes

These lemon curd cookies are just the beginning! You’ll also love my key lime cookies — they’re soft, tangy, and almost melt in your mouth! They’re topped with the most perfect key lime powdered sugar glaze, and will always be a hit with your guests!

Another fantastic cookie recipe you’ll love are my peanut butter and jelly thumbprint cookies — they’re so fun to make, and such a delicious treat for an afternoon snack!

Lemon Curd Cookies – Thumbprint Cookies with Easy Lemon Curd Filling!

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These lemon curd cookies are so bright and citrusy! Recipe for lemon curd shortbread cookies with lemon curd filling!

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 14 minutes

Total Time: 39 minutes

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine :American

Servings: 24 cookies

Calories: 151kcal

Recipe Source: Chenée Lewis

Equipment you may need

• microplane grater/zester
• 3/4 sheet baking pan
• silicone baking mat
• hand mixer
• stand mixer
• mixing bowls
• measuring cups and spoons
• wooden spoon

Ingredients

1x2x3x

• 2 ¼ cups (288 g) all-purpose flour - (288g)
• 1 tsp (5 ml) lemon zest - packed
• 1 cup (227 g) salted butter - cold, cubed
• 1 tsp (5 ml) pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup (115 g) powdered sugar - (115g)
• ½ cup (113 g) lemon curd - store-bought or homemade (recipe follows)
• turbinado sugar - for sprinkling

Lemon Curd

• 4 large lemons - zested and juiced
• 4 large eggs - beaten
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 6 tbsp (89 ml) salted butter - cubed

Instructions

• To make lemon curd, heat zest, juice, sugar, and eggs in a medium saucepan, whisking constantly. Add chunks of butter gradually, continuing to whisk as butter slowly melts.
• Continue to cook mixture, whisking often, about 10 minutes or until thickened. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any egg solids and let cool. Chill at least one hour or overnight before using for cookies.
• To make lemon curd cookies, place powdered sugar and lemon zest in a mixing bowl and press with a wooden spoon to release lemon oils.
• Add softened butter and cream together about 3-5 minutes, or until mixture is light and fluffy.
• Gradually add flour and mix just until dough comes together.
• Scoop out one-inch dough balls and place 2 inches apart on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone liner. Chill any extra dough for the next batch.
• Use your thumb, the end of a wooden spoon, or a wine cork to press an indentation into the middle of each cookie. Fill each indent with about ½ to 1 teaspoon chilled lemon curd.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Place baking sheet in freezer to chill for 10-15 minutes while the oven preheats.
• Bake in preheated oven for 12-14 minutes, or until bottoms of cookies are golden brown. Let cool on pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Video

Notes

Salted butter: I typically use salted butter in baking, but you can use unsalted butter in this recipe — just add ½ teaspoon of salt in with the dry ingredients for the cookies and ¼ into the lemon curd.

Softening Butter Quickly: To soften your butter, place the stick of butter on a microwave-safe plate and heat on high for 4 seconds. Turn so another side of the stick of butter is facing up and heat for another 4 seconds. Repeat for a total of 16 seconds.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 cookie | Calories: 151 kcal | Carbohydrates: 15.3 g | Protein: 1.6 g | Fat: 10 g | Saturated Fat: 6 g | Cholesterol: 37 mg | Sodium: 71 mg | Potassium: 15 mg | Fiber: 0.3 g | Sugar: 6 g | Calcium: 4 mg | Iron: 1 mg

Nutrition Disclaimer

Tags: lemon curd cookies, lemon curd shortbread cookies

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