Description
Delightful lemon thumbprint cookies blend zesty citrus with sweet shortbread for a perfect teatime treat. Buttery, crumbly pastry cradles tangy lemon curd, inviting you to savor each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks
- ⅓ cup (80 milliliters / 2.7 fl oz) fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- 2 tbsps (28 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Lemon Curd Preparation: Whisk eggs, sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens to a custard-like consistency. Remove from heat, blend in butter and lemon zest until silky smooth, then refrigerate after covering with plastic wrap directly on the surface.
- Dough Mixing: Cream butter and sugar in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Incorporate egg yolks and vanilla extract, then gradually fold in flour and salt to create a soft, pliable dough.
- Cookie Shaping: Preheat oven to 350F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Form dough into uniform 1-inch balls and place on prepared sheets with adequate spacing. Gently press a thumb or spoon into the center of each ball to create a well.
- Baking Process: Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes until edges turn delicately golden. If indentations collapse during baking, carefully reshape them with a spoon while still warm. Allow cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet.
- Final Assembly: Fill each cookie’s indentation with a precise dollop of chilled lemon curd, ensuring a smooth surface. Elegantly dust with powdered sugar for a refined finishing touch.
Notes
- Handle Lemon Curd Carefully: Constant stirring prevents egg scrambling and ensures smooth, silky texture; remove from heat immediately when thickened.
- Master Dough Consistency: Soft dough should be pliable but not sticky; chill briefly if too warm for easier shaping and preventing spread during baking.
- Perfect Thumbprint Technique: Create shallow, even indentations without piercing through cookie base; gently reform while warm if needed to maintain clean shape.
- Cooling is Crucial: Allow complete cooling on baking sheet to set cookie structure before adding lemon curd, preventing potential structural collapse or soggy bottoms.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 25
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg