Lemon Curd Cookies

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Lemon Curd Cookies are a tasty treat that will have your taste buds dancing with delight! These little bites of heaven are bursting with tangy, zesty flavor and are perfectly complemented by their buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

A closeup on a lemon curd cookie.

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These Lemon Curd Cookies have a soft and chewy texture with a bright lemon flavor that will leave you wanting more. Really, they are easy to make and require only a few simple ingredients. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, these lemon curd cookies are sure to become your new favorite recipe.

If you’re looking for more lemon dessert recipes, try these Lemon Blondies with Raspberries, Lemon Meringue Poke Cake and Frozen Lemonade Pie.

A white platter with the lemon cookies arranged on them.

Why We Love This Lemon Curd Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Our love for this lemon thumbprint cookie recipe knows no bounds. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy dessert for your family or a crowd-pleasing option for any occasion, this recipe is a surefire winner.

  • 30-Minute Meal: With just less than 30 minutes of your time, you can have freshly baked cookies ready to enjoy.
  • Easy Ingredients: All the ingredients you need for this recipe are likely already in your pantry, making it a breeze to whip up. Using a cake mix means all your dry ingredients are pre-measured and ready to go
  • Family Friendly: These cookies are a favorite of kids and adults of all ages. The burst of lemon flavor combined with the buttery cookie base is a winning combination. The cookies are soft and chewy lemon perfection.

Ingredient Notes to Make Lemon Shortbread

Cake mix, eggs, oil and lemon curd for the cookies.
  • Lemon Cake Mix: A boxed lemon cake mix simplifies the process and ensures a consistent lemon flavor throughout each cookie.
  • Lemon Curd: The tangy and zesty lemon curd adds a burst of citrus flavor to the cookies, complementing the sweetness of the cake base.
  • Powdered Sugar: Coating the cookies with powdered sugar adds a delightful touch of sweetness and enhances the visual appeal of the cookies.

See my recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.

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Variations and Substitutions for Lemon Curd Thumbprint Cookies

Experimenting with these variations will allow you to personalize the flavor profile of the cookies and cater to your taste preferences. This variation promises a delightful twist to the original recipe.

  • Add Lemon Zest: Incorporate lemon zest into the cookie dough for an extra burst of citrusy goodness. Simply grate the zest of fresh lemon and add it to the dough before shaping the easy lemon curd shortbread cookies.
  • Homemade Lemon Curd: While store-bought lemon curd works perfectly fine for this recipe, making it from scratch allows you to control the ingredients and tailor the flavor to your liking for these lemon curd cookies.
  • Use Lime Curd: For a refreshing twist, use lime curd instead of lemon. The vibrant and zesty lime flavor will bring a unique and tangy dimension to the cookies.

How to Make Thumbprint Cookies with Lemon Curd

These are the basic steps for making Thumbprint Cookies with Lemon Curd. So grab your whisk your measuring cup and stand mixer and get ready to make these chewy lemon curd thumbprint cookies. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.

Make the mix and scoop into balls.

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Sheets

First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Then set aside two baking sheets that you cover with parchment paper or silicone mats.

Step 2: Make Dough

Next, in a large bowl, add the cake mix, eggs, and oil. Then beat ingredients together for about 2 minutes or until smooth. Also, put powdered sugar in a small bowl.

Roll the dough balls in powder sugar and placing them on parchment lined trays.

Step 3: Bake Cookies

Then use a cookie scoop to scoop out the dough into balls. Next, roll the dough balls in the bowl with the powdered sugar until they are completely covered. Place the coated dough on the baking sheets about 3 inches apart. Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.

Using the spoon to make an indent in the cookie after baking and then filling with the lemon curd.

Step 4: Add Lemon Curd

Take the baked cookies out of the oven and use a measuring teaspoon to create a small indent in the center of the cookie. After creating the indent, let the cookies cool for about 5 minutes. Measure out about 1 teaspoon of curd and pour into the cookie’s indent. Finally, repeat with each cookie.

Recipe FAQs for this Lemon Recipe for Cookies

To ensure the powdered sugar sticks perfectly to your lemon thumbprint cookies, coat them before baking. Scoop the dough into balls and toss them in the powder sugar.

Lemon curd is a smooth and tangy citrus spread that you use in baking recipes. It is made from lemon juice, sugar, eggs, and butter. The mixture is gently cooked until it thickens to a custard consistency, resulting in a flavorful curd with a vibrant lemon taste.

Absolutely! Lemon curd is in the grocery stores in the baking aisle or in the section with jams and spreads. Using a premade lemon curd is a convenient option if you prefer to save time or don’t have the ingredients to make it from scratch.

While these lemon thumbprint cookies do not necessarily need refrigeration, store at room temperature in an airtight container for several days. If you want to prolong the shelf life of the cookies, refrigerating them is a good option.

A closeup on the top of the finished lemon curd cookie.

Expert Tips for Making This Easy Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating perfect and flavorful lemon curd cookies that are sure to impress your family and friends. Enjoy the process and savor the delightful taste of these easy thumbprint cookies!

  • How to Store: To keep your lemon curd cookies fresh and maintain their crispy texture, store them at room temperature in an airtight container. Place a piece of wax paper between the layers to prevent them from sticking together.
  • Cookie Scoop: For evenly sized cookies, use a cookie scoop to portion the dough. This ensures consistent sizes, resulting in a more uniform appearance and even baking.
  • Cake Mix: The lemon cake mix serves as a convenient base for these cookies, infusing them with a consistent and delightful lemon flavor. Get creative and experiment with different brands or variations of lemon cake mix to find your favorite.

What to Serve with Lemon Curd Cookies

A closeup on a lemon curd cookie.
5 from 1 vote

Lemon Curd Cookies

Yield: 20 cookies
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Cool time: 5 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Lemon Curd Cookies are a tasty treat that will have your taste buds dancing with delight! These little bites of heaven are bursting with tangy, zesty flavor and are perfectly complemented by their buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
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Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 box Lemon Cake Mix
  • 2 Eggs
  • cup Vegetable oil
  • cup Confectioners sugar
  • ½ cup Lemon curd

Instructions

  • Set the oven temperature to 350F before baking.
  • Prepare two baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Keep them aside.
  • Whisk the cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil in a big bowl for 2 minutes or until they are smooth and fully incorporated.
  • Put the powdered sugar in a small bowl.
  • Scoop the cookie batter using a 1 1/2 Tablespoon cookie scoop and coat the cookie dough balls thoroughly with confectioner’s sugar.
  • On the prepared cookie sheets, ensure that the coated cookie dough balls are spaced at a minimum of 3 inches apart.
  • Bake until lightly golden for 10-12 minutes.
  • Take a teaspoon measuring spoon and press it into the center of each cookie to make an indentation. Then, let them cool for 5 minutes.
  • Add approximately 1 teaspoon of lemon curd into every cookie well.

Expert Tips

  • How to Store: To keep your cookies fresh and maintain their crispy texture, store them at room temperature in an airtight container. Place a piece of wax paper between the layers to prevent them from sticking together.
  • Cookie Scoop: For evenly sized cookies, use a cookie scoop to portion the dough. This ensures consistent sizes, resulting in a more uniform appearance and even baking.
  • Cake Mix: The lemon cake mix serves as a convenient base for these cookies, infusing them with a consistent and delightful lemon flavor. Get creative and experiment with different brands or variations of lemon cake mix to find your favorite.

Estimated Nutritional Information

Calories: 160kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 211mg | Potassium: 18mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 24IU | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 1mg
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

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