They’re fun and easy to make, with a lemon zest infused shortbread base, filled with sweet and tangy lemon curd, and topped with even more lemony goodness in the glaze! If you’ve ever made classic jam thumbprint cookies, then you’re already familiar with how to make lemon curd cookies! If you’re new to this recipe, trust me, it’s simple! Once you mix up the simple shortbread cookie dough, you’ll create a indentation in each cookie to fill with store-bought lemon curd filling. Bake them up, let them cool, and then drizzle them with a generous amount of sweet-tart lemon sugar icing! It’s so easy, and the resulting cookies are spectacular. Do you love lemon? Try these other recipes with lemon curd! My lemon meringue pie recipe will walk you through making the perfect lemon curd for pie, and the fluffiest meringue topping. Or, make a simple lemon tart topped with gorgeous fresh berries.
Quick and Easy Lemon Curd Cookies
Simple Shortbread Cookie Dough – I love the buttery flavor and crispness of shortbread cookies, and I also love how few ingredients are needed to make them. Just like my chocolate shortbread bites and coconut shortbread cookies, this recipe doesn’t have any eggs or leaveners in it. A Familiar Favorite – Thumbprint cookies with icing of all varieties are a staple for Christmas and other holidays, and always a favorite. Tons of Zesty Lemon Flavor – There is lemon juice and/or zest in every component of this recipe. They are the most lemony cookies, and I love them that way!
Ingredients In Lemon Curd Thumbprints
Here’s what you need to make these delicious lemon cookies:
Butter: Always choose unsalted butter when baking. Instead, we will add salt to the dough so that it’s perfectly seasoned. Let the butter sit out at room temperature until softened. Flour and Salt Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the cookie dough, and a bit of extra sugar is rolled onto the exterior of each cookie for extra crunch and a bit of sparkle. Vanilla Extract: Good quality vanilla extract is a must for the most delicious cookies. Lemon Curd: While you could fill these cookies with freshly made lemon curd, I think it’s much easier and just as delicious to use prepared lemon curd from the grocery store. Look for this near the jams and jellies. Lemon Zest: This is the secret to getting a lemony flavor throughout these lemon curd thumbprint cookies. Use a microplane to remove just the outer yellow part of one whole lemon. To Make the Lemon Glaze: You just need powdered sugar, freshly squeezed lemon juice (from the lemon you zested earlier), and a bit more vanilla.
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
How To Make Lemon Curd Cookies
Get ready by preheating the oven to 350°F/180°C. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set aside.
Recipe Tips
Adding the Lemon Curd: I’m using the rounded end of a wooden spoon to make the circular spaces in these cookies. I stick it in and then move it around a bit to make the hole the right size for the filling. You can also use a rounded measuring teaspoon, or do it the old-fashioned way with your thumb! Try Other Flavors: This cookie recipe will work with any type of jam or preserves that you’d like to add. Try raspberry or blueberry jam next.
Storing Tips
These cookies will keep fresh in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week. You can also freeze them in an airtight container for up to three months. Store them in a single layer or put wax paper between layers to keep them from sticking together.
Why are my shortbread cookies dry and crumbly?
If the cookie dough seems crumbly, it’s likely that you’ve added too much flour to it. I suggest weighing your flour for the most accurate measurement. Otherwise, be sure to use the spoon and level method rather than scooping your measuring cup into the flour container.
Can I make this recipe with homemade lemon curd?
Absolutely! If you have a recipe for lemon curd that you love, it can be used in place of the store bought curd. The fresh lemon curd used in my Lemon Tart recipe is a great place to start.
Do cookies with lemon curd need to be refrigerated?
I do suggest refrigerating these cookies for food safety reasons. Lemon curd is made with dairy and eggs and does have the potential to spoil if stored at room temperature. Lemon Curd Cookies are going to be your new favorite lemon dessert! They’re easy, fun, and delicious, what else is there? Don’t forget to pin this recipe so that you can find it later! © Little Sunny Kitchen
