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