The Best Lemon Cookie Sandwiches Recipe for Sweet Treats

Lemon cookie sandwiches bring zesty sunshine right onto your plate, revolutionizeing ordinary treats into delightful sensory experiences.

Sweet and tangy flavors dance together, creating a harmonious blend that awakens taste buds.

Delicate rounds of golden goodness promise a refreshing twist on classic dessert expectations.

Soft, pillowy cookies embrace creamy filling with elegant simplicity and irresistible charm.

Bright citrus notes cut through rich sweetness, offering a sophisticated balance that elevates the entire confection.

Homemade magic happens when simple ingredients merge into something extraordinary, transcending typical bakery boundaries.

These delectable sandwich cookies represent culinary creativity at its most whimsical and inviting.

A Sweet Treat with Citrus Punch

• Create Zesty Flavor Explosion: These lemon cookie sandwiches burst with bright, tangy citrus notes that dance across your taste buds, delivering a refreshing punch of lemony goodness in every single bite.
• Enjoy Luxurious Texture Contrast: Soft, tender cookies paired with silky smooth cream cheese buttercream create an incredible mouthfeel that balances delicate crumbly edges with rich, creamy filling.
• Master Quick and Easy Baking: Perfect for novice bakers, this recipe offers simple steps and minimal ingredients, allowing even kitchen beginners to whip up stunning dessert sandwiches in under an hour with minimal technical skill required.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleasing Treat: These cookies work beautifully for casual family gatherings, afternoon tea parties, potlucks, or as a delightful homemade gift that showcases your baking prowess with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.

What You’ll Need for These Tangy Sandwiches

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture for the delicate lemon cookies.
• Butter: Ensures rich flavor and helps create a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with cookie browning.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds moisture to the cookie dough.

• Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice: Brings bright, fresh citrus flavor and tanginess to the cookies.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor and adds depth to the cookie base.

• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and creates a light, soft texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.

• Cream Cheese, Butter: Creates a rich, creamy base for the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps thicken the buttercream.
• Heavy Cream: Adds silky smoothness to the frosting.

• Powdered Sugar, Milk: Creates a simple sweet glaze for additional decoration.

How to Make Lemon Cookie Sandwiches at Home

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C). Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper for hassle-free cleanup.

Step 2: Mix the Zesty Cookie Dough

• Softened butter
• Sugar
• Fresh lemon zest

• Egg
• Lemon juice
• Vanilla extract

• Flour
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Salt

Pop the dough in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to firm up.

Step 3: Shape and Bake the Cookies

Grab an ice cream scoop and create perfect dough balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie. Slide into the oven and bake for 5 minutes. Gently press down each cookie with a spoon or measuring cup. Bake for another 5 minutes until they turn a beautiful golden color. Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack.

Step 4: Whip Up Creamy Lemon Frosting

• Butter
• Cream cheese

• Lemon zest
• Remaining lemon juice
• Powdered sugar

Mix until silky smooth. Splash in some heavy cream for extra richness. Transfer the frosting to a piping bag.

Step 5: Create Delightful Cookie Sandwiches

Once cookies are completely cool, pipe a generous swirl of lemony frosting on one cookie. Gently press another cookie on top to form a perfect sandwich.

Step 6: Add a Sweet Finishing Touch (Optional)

Whisk together powdered sugar and milk until you’ve got a smooth drizzle. Artfully drip the glaze over your cookie sandwiches for an extra pop of sweetness.

Tips for Crisp Cookies and Smooth Filling

• Zest Like a Pro: Use a microplane or fine grater to extract maximum lemon flavor without the bitter white pith.
• Chill for Perfection: Refrigerate cookie dough for at least 10 minutes to prevent spreading and maintain a uniform shape during baking.
• Gentle Flattening Technique: Use a lightly greased spoon or measuring cup to press cookies halfway through baking for an even, professional appearance.
• Frosting Consistency Matters: Add heavy cream gradually to achieve a smooth, spreadable buttercream that won't overwhelm the delicate lemon cookies.
• Storage Smarts: Store assembled cookie sandwiches in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper to maintain freshness for up to 3 days.

Storing Cookie Sandwiches for Best Texture

• Refrigerate: Store lemon cookie sandwiches in an airtight container, layering between parchment paper to prevent sticking. Cookies will stay fresh for up to 5 days when chilled.
• Freeze: Wrap individual cookie sandwiches tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cookies maintain quality for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying.
• Reheat: Warm cookies gently in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-4 minutes to restore their soft texture. Avoid microwaving, which can make the buttercream melt and cookies become soggy.

Pairing Ideas for Lemon Cookie Lovers

• Brew Bright Citrus Companions: Pair these lemon cookie sandwiches with a crisp Earl Grey tea or a light, zesty green tea to complement the bright lemon flavor and enhance the cookies' refreshing profile.
• Sip Smooth Dairy Delights: Serve alongside cold milk or a creamy vanilla latte to balance the tangy citrus notes and provide a rich, smooth counterpoint to the cookies' delicate texture.
• Chill Sparkling Refreshment: Enjoy with a chilled glass of prosecco or a light limoncello to amplify the lemon essence and create a sophisticated dessert experience that feels both elegant and playful.
• Scoop Complementary Coolness: Top with a small scoop of lemon sorbet or vanilla bean ice cream to create a delightful dessert combination that highlights the cookie's citrusy brightness and adds a luxurious creamy element.

Flavor Additions That Boost the Brightness

• Lavender Lemon Bliss: Infuse the cookie dough with dried lavender buds for a floral undertone that complements the zesty lemon flavor. Sprinkle crushed lavender on top of the frosting for an elegant presentation.
• Coconut Lemon Dream: Replace half the butter with coconut oil and add shredded coconut to the cookie dough. Use coconut extract in the buttercream for a tropical spin on the classic sandwich cookie.
• Honey Lemon Comfort: Swap half the sugar with honey in the cookie base. Incorporate a touch of honey into the cream cheese buttercream for a rich, golden sweetness that deepens the lemon's brightness.
• Ginger Lemon Spark: Mix finely grated fresh ginger into the cookie dough and sprinkle ground ginger into the buttercream. This variation adds a warm, spicy note that dances perfectly with the lemony zest.

Lemon Cookie Sandwiches Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Zesty lemon cookie sandwiches deliver Mediterranean sunshine on a plate. Creamy filling nestled between delicate citrus-infused cookies creates a delightful treat perfect for afternoon tea or elegant dessert gatherings.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 ⅔ cups (336 g) flour
• 1 ¼ cups (250 g) sugar
• 16 tablespoons (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 8 ounces (226 g) cream cheese, softened
• 8 tablespoons (113 g) unsalted butter, softened

Lemon and Flavor Enhancers:

• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) lemon juice
• Zest of 2 small lemons
• Zest of ½ lemon
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 splash of lemon juice

Leavening and Seasoning Agents:

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 3 ½ to 4 cups (420–480 g) powdered sugar
• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) milk

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350°F and lining a cookie sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Create a smooth, fragrant base by vigorously mixing softened butter, granulated sugar, and lemon zest until light and fluffy.
3. Incorporate egg, lemon juice, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending until fully integrated and uniform in texture.
4. Gradually fold in dry ingredients – flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt – mixing until a cohesive dough forms.
5. Refrigerate the dough for 10 minutes to firm up, making it easier to portion and shape.
6. Scoop uniform dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them approximately 2 inches apart to allow spreading.
7. Bake for 5 minutes, then gently flatten each cookie using the back of a spoon to create an even surface.
8. Continue baking for an additional 5 minutes until edges turn golden and cookies develop a delicate crisp.
9. Transfer baked cookies to a cooling rack, allowing them to reach room temperature completely.
10. Whip butter and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy, creating a luxurious base for the frosting.
11. Enhance the buttercream by adding lemon zest, remaining lemon juice, and powdered sugar, mixing until silky and well-combined.
12. Introduce heavy cream to achieve a light, spreadable consistency for the filling.
13. Load the buttercream into a piping bag for precise and elegant application.
14. Assemble cookie sandwiches by piping a generous layer of lemon cream cheese buttercream onto the flat side of one cookie.
15. Carefully place a second cookie on top, pressing gently to create a perfect sandwich.
16. Optional: Prepare a delicate glaze by whisking powdered sugar with milk until smooth, then drizzle elegantly over the completed cookie sandwiches.

Notes

• Chilling the dough helps prevent cookies from spreading too much during baking, ensuring a perfect round shape.
• Use fresh lemon zest for the most vibrant citrus flavor that will make these cookies truly exceptional.
• Gently flattening cookies midway through baking creates a beautiful, even texture and helps them cook more uniformly.
• Allow cookies to cool completely before assembling to prevent the buttercream from melting and losing its creamy consistency.
• The optional milk drizzle adds a delightful extra layer of sweetness that complements the tangy lemon flavor.
• Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly, so take butter, cream cheese, and egg out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before mixing.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 269
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 75 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg