Lemon Curd Cookies
Lemon curd cookies are made with a cookie base that is delicious with a buttery flavor, and just a hint of lemon, then topped with your amazing lemon curd, to provide an all-around delicious treat. Lemon curd cookies are amazing for any occasion, and for any time of year. If you’re looking for a delightful, lemon dessert, then this is definitely one you should try out.
Why You Should Make These Cookies
Lemon curd cookies are a delicious cookie. They are a butter cookie base that is topped with delicious lemon curd. Making you enjoy a bit of lemon flavor with every delicious bite.
Let’s jump right in to this delicious recipe.
We will begin by looking at what ingredients you need in order to make the cookies and the lemon curd filling.
Then we will look at how to go about making these delicious cookies. You don’t want to miss out on any part of this recipe!
Lemon Curd Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients for Lemon Curd Cookies
Lemon Butter Cookies
Butter. We recommend that you use soft, salted butter for the overall best flavor in your cookies.
If you need a substitute for salted butter, you could also use any brand of butter flavored shortening (like Crisco).
Sugar. We reccomend that you use granulated sugar, rather than brown sugar for these cookies to avoid the molasses like texture.
Powdered Sugar. Adding a bit of powdered sugar in these cookies also helps to sweeten and thicken at the same time.
Corn Starch. A little bit of corn starch added to these cookies helps to thicken and hold these cookies together.
Lemon. We like to use both lemon juice and lemon zest to flavor these cookies.
If you are able, we recommend using a fresh lemon, however you can also use the same amount of bottled lemon juice and about ½ tsp lemon extract if needed.
Flour. For this cookie recipe, you can simply enjoy using your favorite type of all-purpose flour.
Salt. In this cookie recipe, you may choose to use your favorite type of salt. Any kind will work well. Some of our favorites include sea salt, iodized salt, kosher salt, and Himalayan salt.
Baking Powder. A little bit of baking powder will help the cookies to rise.
Lemon Curd Filling
Sugar. To make the curd filling, we suggest that you use granulated sugar for the best results.
Cornstarch. Cornstarch is a key ingredient as it will help to thicken your lemon curd and make it hold its shape.
Water. We like to use lukewarm water to dissolve the cornstarch and sugar together.
Egg yolk. To have this lemon curd recipe turn out delicious, you will need the yolk from one egg. We recommend using a large egg yolk.
Butter. A bit of salted butter in your lemon curd will help add enriched flavor to your overall recipe.
Lemon. In the lemon curd, we also recommend that you use lemon juice and lemon zest if you are able. The best overall flavor is when a fresh lemon is used. However, you may substitute it for bottled lemon juice, and a little bit of lemon extract if needed.
How to Make Lemon Curd Cookies
For Lemon Butter Cookies
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190.6°C).
Start making the lemon butter cookies by adding your soft butter into the mixing bowl. Beat on medium speed until your butter is a creamy texture.
Add in the sugar, powdered sugar, and corn starch. Continue beating until it is mixed. Finally, add your freshly squeezed lemon juice, and mix until combined.
Add in all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until your dry ingredients are combined with your wet mixture.
When your cookie dough is mixed thoroughly, place them into the fridge and allow them to chill for 1 hour.
After they have chilled, roll them into balls, and place them onto a lightly greased cookie sheet.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or just until the edges begin to turn a light golden color. Then remove the cookies from the oven. Use a round spoon or use a tablespoon to press the center of each cookie down.
Let the cookies cool to room temperature before filling them.
When the cookies have cooled, you can add the filling into the center of the cookies.
How long do you bake these cookies?
We recommend that you bake the cookies for approximately 8 to 10 minutes, remove them from the oven and add your imprint into the center of each cookie while they are still hot.
We recommend that you bake the cookies this way, because you get a much nicer imprint in the center of your cookies when baking time is separated, and the center is pressed part way through.
Now that you know how to bake the cookies, and they are cooling in your kitchen, it’s time to start making the lemon curd to go in the center of your cookies.
How to Make Lemon Curd
In a heavy saucepan over medium high heat, add granulated sugar, cornstarch, and water. Stir the ingredients together until combined, then continue stirring occasionally until the mixture comes to a boil.
As it boils the mixture will begin to thicken. Allow it to boil for one minute, then remove it from the burner.
Immediately add in your egg yolk and stir until combined. Then add in butter, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir until the butter is melted.
Let the mixture cool for a few minutes.
Does lemon curd have to be refrigerated?
If you are preparing the lemon curd in advance, or are wondering if the cookies need to be refrigerated once they are assembled, the answer is yes, the lemon curd must be stored in the refrigerator.
Assembling the Cookies
Now that you have baked butter cookies with a thumbprint in the center, and your lemon curd mixture has been prepared and set aside to cool, it’s time to assemble your cookies.
Take a scoop of your lemon curd, and place it into the center of each cookie. Be sure to fill the dip in the cookie completely with lemon curd.
After the cookies are assembled, if desired, you can sprinkle the top of the cooled cookies with powdered sugar or drizzle them with icing. Store these cookies in the fridge until you are ready to eat, then enjoy!
Tips and Tricks
Do I need to chill the cookie dough? This recipe does not require that you chill for cookie dough before baking it, however, if you wish, you may chill the cookie dough. It’s not going to hurt anything to do this.
Let them cool. Before adding any additional toppings to your assembled cookies, they should first completely cool before adding things such as powdered sugar or icing.
Storing Filled Cookies
Room Temperature. Lemon curd cookies should be kept at room temperature for no more than two hours before you run the risk of them growing unwanted bacteria and needing to be thrown away.
In the Fridge. For the best storage, once these cookies have cooled, we recommend that you transfer them to an airtight container, or plastic storage bag, then place them into the fridge for up to one week.
In the Freezer. If you wish to store your cookies longer, you can also freeze them. First to be sure that the cookies cool then transfer them to an airtight container, or seal them securely in a plastic freezer bag.
Place the cookies into the freezer for up to three months.
Variations
When it comes to lemon curd cookies, there are different variations of these cookies. We have shown you how to make thumbprint cookies with lemon curd filling, these are our favorite way to enjoy lemon curd cookies.
However, there are other ways you can enjoy them as well.
Shaped Cookies
Another way you can enjoy lemon curd cookies is to roll the cookie dough out, and cut it into shapes. You can then either sandwich the cookies or cut out portions to fill them with the lemon curd after they are baked.
Sandwich Cookies
Another way to enjoy lemon curd cookies is to make sandwiches out of them.
To to this you have two cookies on the outside, and lemon curd filling on the inside. You can cut the cookie dough into shapes, if desired, or simply have a cookie sandwich.
Type of Cookie Base
There are also several other types of cookie bases you can enjoy with your lemon curd cookies.
In addition to the recipe we have given, you can also make butter cookie dough, sugar cookie dough, and shortbread cookie dough as the cookie base for your lemon curd cookies.
FAQs
What can be made from lemon curd?
There are so many ways you can enjoy lemon curd. Not only does it taste delicious in these cookies, but it can also be made into pies, crepe fillings, in pastries, on lemon bars, or in a tart. You can also enjoy it as you would a jam or jelly.
Is lemon curd the same as lemon custard?
Although lemon curd and lemon custard are similar, they are not the same thing. Lemon curd is traditionally fruitier in flavor, while lemon curd is lighter and tends to be fluffier.
Do Lemon Curd Cookies Need to be Refrigerated?
Yes, in order for the cookies to last, they should be stored in the fridge.
Can you make Lemon Curd Cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can easily make lemon curd cookies ahead of time, then store them in the fridge or freezer until you are ready to enjoy them.
Can you freeze lemon curd cookies?
Yes, you can freeze lemon curd cookies. This works well if you have leftovers that you want to be able to save for later, or if you want to make the cookies ahead of time, then pull them out of the freezer shortly before you want to enjoy them.
Best Lemon Curd Cookies
Lemon curd cookies are so delicious, with their delightful lemon flavor in both the curd and cookie. No matter when you’re enjoying these cookies, they always provide a hint of spring, or summer, and remind you of sunny days.
We hope that you will give this recipe a try, and we hope that you enjoy it!
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Easy Lemon Curd Cookies Recipe
Lemon Curd Cookies
Ingredients
Lemon cookies
- 1 cup butter soft
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup corn starch
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Lemon curd
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 3 Tbsp corn starch
- ¾ cup water
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 ½ Tbsp butter
- 1 lemon juiced
- 1 lemon zest
Instructions
For Lemon Butter Cookies
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190.6°C).
- Start making the lemon butter cookies by adding your soft butter into the mixing bowl. Beat on medium speed until your butter is a creamy texture.
- Add in the sugar, powdered sugar, and corn starch. Continue beating until it is mixed. Finally, add your freshly squeezed lemon juice, and mix until combined.
- Add in all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until your dry ingredients are combined with your wet mixture.
- When your cookie dough is mixed thoroughly, place them into the fridge and allow them to chill for 1 hour.
- After they have chilled, roll them into balls, and place them onto a lightly greased cookie sheet.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or just until the edges begin to turn a light golden color. Then remove the cookies from the oven. Use a round spoon or use a tablespoon to press the center of each cookie down.
- Let the cookies cool to room temperature before filling them.
- When the cookies have cooled, you can add the filling into the center of the cookies.
How to Make Lemon Curd
- In a heavy saucepan over medium high heat, add granulated sugar, cornstarch, and water. Stir the ingredients together until combined, then continue stirring occasionally until the mixture comes to a boil.
- As it boils the mixture will begin to thicken. Allow it to boil for one minute, then remove it from the burner.
- Immediately add in your egg yolk and stir until combined. Then add in butter, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir until the butter is melted.
- Let the mixture cool for a few minutes.
Assembling the Cookies
- Now that you have baked butter cookies with a thumbprint in the center, and your lemon curd mixture has been prepared and set aside to cool, it’s time to assemble your cookies.
- Take a scoop of your lemon curd, and place it into the center of each cookie. Be sure to fill the dip in the cookie completely with lemon curd.
- After the cookies are assembled, if desired, you can sprinkle the top of the cooled cookies with powdered sugar or drizzle them with icing. Store these cookies in the fridge until you are ready to eat, then enjoy!
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