Zesty Lemon Thumbprint Cookies Recipe: Sweet Citrus Joy

Soft, buttery cookies dance with zesty lemon thumbprint cookies recipe that promise pure delight in every bite.

These delectable treats blend tangy citrus with sweet, crumbly goodness.

A classic favorite gets a bright, sunny makeover with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor.

Each cookie nestles a dollop of vibrant lemon curd in its center, creating a perfect balance of textures.

The delicate crumb melts effortlessly on your tongue, releasing bursts of refreshing lemon.

Simple to make and impossible to resist, these cookies will become your new go-to dessert for any occasion.

Bake a batch and watch them disappear in moments.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 13 minutes

Total Time: 3 hours (includes chilling time)

Calories: 136 kcal

Servings: 22

Ingredients for Lemon Thumbprint Cookies

• Flour: Provides structure and tender crumb for delicate, melt-in-your-mouth cookies.
• Cornstarch: Adds softness and helps create a delightfully smooth texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Butter: Delivers rich, creamy foundation with luxurious mouthfeel.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create crisp, golden edges.
• Lemon Zest: Infuses bright, zesty citrus notes throughout the cookie.
• Lemon Juice: Adds tangy brightness and deepens citrus profile.
• Vanilla Bean Paste: Introduces complex, aromatic undertones.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and contributes to tender cookie texture.

• Lemon Curd: Provides vibrant, sunshine-like filling with intense citrus punch.
• Confectioners' Sugar: Creates smooth, glossy icing that adds elegant final layer.
• Additional Granulated Sugar: Helps coat cookies for delicate, sparkly exterior.

Lemon Thumbprint Cookies: Tools You’ll Need

• Stand mixer or handheld mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, mixing dough ingredients smoothly.
• Medium mixing bowl: Perfect for combining dry ingredients like flour, cornstarch, and salt.
• Large mixing bowl: Needed for mixing wet ingredients and creating cookie dough.
• Small bowls: Useful for preparing sugar coating and lemon curd.
• Baking sheets: Line with parchment paper for even cookie baking.
• Whisk: Great for blending dry ingredients and mixing icing.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Wire cooling rack: Helps cookies cool evenly after baking.
• Thumb or small spoon: Creates indentations for lemon curd filling.
• Zester or grater: Needed for obtaining fresh lemon zest.

Lemon Thumbprint Cookies Made Simple

• Cookie Foundation

Blend soft butter with sugar until smooth and creamy. Add fresh lemon zest, tangy juice, an egg, and a splash of vanilla to create a vibrant mixture. Gently fold in flour with a delicate touch, creating a silky dough that whispers of citrus.

• Chilling Preparation

Wrap the dough in plastic and tuck it into the refrigerator. Let it rest and develop flavor for several hours, allowing the ingredients to mingle and intensify.

• Cookie Shaping

Roll tiny balls of chilled dough, giving each a gentle bath in sparkling sugar. Create a cozy little nest in the center of each cookie using your fingertip.

• Lemon Treasure

Fill each cookie’s center with a dollop of bright, sunny lemon curd. This will be the heart of your delightful treat.

• Baking Magic

Slide the cookies into a warm oven, letting them transform into golden, delicate rounds. Watch carefully as edges turn a soft, inviting brown.

• Finishing Touch

Once cooled, drizzle a whisper-light lemon glaze across the cookies, creating a glistening finish that adds a final burst of citrusy brightness.

Brighten Lemon Thumbprint Cookies with These Tips

• Adjust the lemon zest and juice amounts to create a stronger or milder citrus profile based on personal preference.
• Swap lemon curd with other fruit preserves like raspberry, blueberry, or apricot jam for diverse flavor combinations.
• Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and ensure a compact, tender cookie with clean edges during baking.
• Sprinkle finely chopped pistachios or toasted coconut flakes over the icing for added crunch and visual appeal.
• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer preservation without compromising taste and texture.

Serve Lemon Thumbprint Cookies Creatively

• Zesty Brunch Companion: Serve these tangy lemon thumbprint cookies alongside a fresh citrus mimosa or light herbal tea for a delightful morning treat.
• Elegant Dessert Platter: Arrange cookies on a beautiful ceramic platter with fresh mint leaves and lemon slices for a sophisticated after-dinner presentation that looks professionally styled.
• Summer Gathering Snack: Pack these cookies in cute mason jars or decorative tins for picnics, beach outings, or casual backyard gatherings where guests will appreciate a refreshing sweet bite.
• Gift-Worthy Delicacy: Wrap several cookies in clear cellophane with a lovely ribbon, creating a charming homemade gift perfect for birthdays, hostess presents, or small thank-you gestures.

Preserve Lemon Thumbprint Cookies with Ease

• Fridge Friendly Storage: Keep these delightful lemon thumbprint cookies in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days, maintaining their soft texture and vibrant flavor.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Cookie dough can be prepared and stored in the refrigerator for 3 days before baking, giving you flexible baking options during busy weeks.
• Freezer Preservation Technique: Wrap unbaked cookie dough balls individually in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking for fresh, zesty cookies anytime.
• Icing Stability Strategy: Once the lemon icing sets completely, these cookies can be layered between parchment paper in storage containers, preventing unwanted sticking or smudging during transportation or gifting.

Tangy Lemon Thumbprint Cookies

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4.5 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours (includes chilling time)
• Yield: 22 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Zesty lemon thumbprint cookies bring sunshine to classic shortbread with tangy curd filling. Buttery, crumbly cookie bases cradle rich lemon centers, offering sweet-tart perfection you’ll crave after one delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 14 tbsps (200g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 2.25 cups (281g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon zest
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp (8g) cornstarch
• ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (140g) homemade lemon curd or store-bought
• 1 cup (120g) confectioners’ sugar
• 2 tbsps (30ml) fresh lemon juice

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Whisk flour, cornstarch, and salt in a mixing bowl until perfectly blended, creating a uniform dry foundation.
2. Creaming: Blend butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until airy and pale, then integrate lemon zest, lemon juice, egg, and vanilla bean paste for vibrant flavor complexity.
3. Dough Formation: Fold dry ingredients into the creamy mixture, forming a consistent dough. Wrap and refrigerate for 3 hours to develop rich, concentrated flavors.
4. Shaping: Remove chilled dough and craft uniform spheres, generously coating each in granulated sugar. Position cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets with strategic spacing.
5. Thumbprinting: Gently press a subtle indentation into each cookie’s center, creating a perfect vessel for lemon curd. Fill each depression with precise, consistent lemon curd placement.
6. Baking: Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake cookies until edges transform to a delicate golden tone, roughly 12-13 minutes, ensuring a crisp yet tender texture.
7. Cooling and Glazing: Transfer cookies to a cooling rack, allowing complete temperature reduction. Whisk confectioners’ sugar and lemon juice into a glossy, smooth glaze.
8. Finishing: Elegantly drizzle the luminous icing across cooled cookies, permitting the glaze to set for 30 minutes before serving these delectable treats.

Notes

• Chill Dough Thoroughly: Refrigerate for at least 3 hours to develop robust flavor and prevent spreading during baking, ensuring a perfect cookie texture.
• Handle Thumbprints Gently: Create shallow, even indentations without piercing the cookie base, allowing lemon curd to nestle perfectly without leaking.
• Sugar Coating Technique: Roll cookies completely in granulated sugar for a delicate, crisp exterior that adds subtle sweetness and elegant sparkle.
• Cooling is Crucial: Let cookies rest on baking sheet briefly before transferring to wire rack, preventing potential cracking and maintaining structural integrity.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 13 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 22
• Calories: 136
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 35mg
• Fat: 6g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 19g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 15mg