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Lemon Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Lemon Thumbprint Cookies

Delightful lemon thumbprint cookies with a soft dough filled with tangy lemon curd and drizzled with a lemon icing.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 13 minutes
Chilling Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 13 minutes
Servings: 30 cookies
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 150

Ingredients
  

Dough
  • 2 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
  • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 14 Tablespoons unsalted butter softened to room temperature
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon zest
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 large egg at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
Coating & Filling
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup lemon curd homemade or store-bought
Icing
  • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Equipment

  • Handheld or Stand Mixer
  • Baking Sheets
  • Parchment Paper

Method
 

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, and salt until combined. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl using a handheld or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and 3/4 cup granulated sugar together on medium-high speed until creamed, about 3 minutes.
  3. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, egg, and vanilla bean paste and beat on high speed until combined, about 1 minute.
  4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed until combined. Dough will be very creamy. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, and up to 3 days.
  5. Line large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Make room in the refrigerator for baking sheets.
  6. Place granulated sugar in a small bowl. Scoop cold dough (about 1 Tablespoon of dough each) and roll into balls. Roll each dough ball in granulated sugar and place 2 inches apart on lined baking sheets.
  7. Use your thumb to make an indentation in the center of each cookie dough ball. Fill each with 1/2 teaspoon of lemon curd.
  8. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Place baking sheets with unbaked cookies in the refrigerator while the oven preheats.
  9. Once oven preheats, bake shaped cookies for 12–13 minutes, or until edges appear set and are very lightly beginning to brown. Remove from the oven and allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. In a small bowl, whisk together confectioners’ sugar and lemon juice. Drizzle over cooled cookies.

Notes

The dough needs to be chilled for at least 3 hours to prevent the cookies from spreading too much. Ensure your butter is softened to room temperature for best results.