Lemon Thumbprint Cookies

Lemon Thumbprint Cookies are buttery vanilla shortbread cookies filled with lemon curd and drizzled with white chocolate. They are so amazing, you'll want more than one batch!

I am a sucker for an old fashioned classic recipe like thumbprint cookies or hallongrotta which means "raspberry cave" in Swedish.

The cookie itself is a buttery melt in your mouth shortbread. And most often they are filled with some flavor of jam.

I love to eat these sweet beauties but I'm also a major fan of salted dulce de leche thumbprint cookies.

It took me several days to perfect the recipe for these cookies. I tested multiple recipes from well-known cookbooks, online sources, and other bloggers. Each ending in disaster. The cookies were either way too sweet or spread far too much.

Finally, with batch five I achieved thumbprint success! No spreading. No sugary toothache. Just pure cookie perfection.

Shortbread cookies are often a ratio of one part sugar, two parts butter, and three parts flour. Sorted Food actually did a video on this. And while every recipe I tested contained those ratios, each one was a failure.

Why this recipe works

For my final attempt at this recipe for lemon thumbprint cookies, I added a little extra flour. Actually, a lot of extra flour. A whole cup extra.

The purpose of the extra flour was to stabilize the dough. I didn’t want to fiddle with finicky cookie dough that needed to remain cold up until it went in the oven. That’s just too much work.

Instead, we now have an easy shortbread dough that doesn't need chilling before rolling and filling.

I used a small cookie scoop to portion out the cookies. Each one should be about one tablespoon in size. Roll the dough into a neat ball and then press an indention in the middle with your thumb.

You can also use the back of a teaspoon, just be sure to flour it so it doesn’t stick. Also, be mindful of how deep you make the impression. If you go too deep, your lemon curd may seep out the bottom.

Fill the indentions with about a fourth of a teaspoon of lemon curd.

The cookies only need to bake for about 12 to 14 minutes, just until the bottom edges are lightly browned. It’s important not to overbake shortbread. You want them to be a little soft so they will melt in your mouth.

Let the cookies cool completely before drizzling with white chocolate.

I just know you are going to love these lemon curd cookies! Be prepared to make multiple batches because your friends and family will be asking for more.

What other fillings can be used?

You can fill the cookies with any flavor of jam you like. I bet pineapple curd or pumpkin jam would be amazing!

You can also bake the cookies without filling them. Once cooled, pipe pastry cream, chocolate ganache, or buttercream in the centers.

Ingredients

You need basic pantry ingredients to make these lemon curd thumbprint cookies

• Butter: Use unsalted sweet cream butter that is at room temperature.
• Sugar: Regular granulated sugar is all that's needed.
• Egg yolks: 2 egg yolks at room temperature make the dough soft and malleable.
• Vanilla: As always, use a pure vanilla extract that's good quality.
• Salt: A little salt balances the sweetness.
• Flour: All-purpose flour works best.
• Lemon curd: Use your favorite lemon curd. Any fruit jam will work as well.
• White chocolate chips: These are for the drizzle which is completely optional.
• Oil: A flavorless oil like canola or vegetable helps the chocolate melt smoothly.

Can I omit the eggs?

Eggs are required for this recipe. The dough will be too dry and will crack without them.

Tools needed

• Baking sheets: You'll need 2 large baking sheets to bake the cookies.
• Mixing bowls: A single mixing bowl is needed to make the dough.
• Mixer: You can use either a handheld electric mixer or a stand mixer.
• Cookie scoop: A 1-tablespoon scoop is best for portioning the dough.

How to make the best lemon cookies

The dough comes together quickly!

Step 1. Beat the butter and sugar together. Mix in the egg yolks, vanilla, and salt. Then mix in the flour. The dough will be soft but not sticky.

Step 2. Roll the dough into 1-tablespoon sized balls. Use your thumb or a teaspoon to press an indent into the dough ball.

Step 3. Fill the indent with lemon curd or jam of your choice. And bake!

This recipe doesn't require you to chill the dough so it's super fast.

Step 4. Bake the cookies at 350°F for 12-14 minutes. Just until the bottoms are starting to lightly brown.

Step 5. One the cookies have cooled, drizzle the tops with melted chocolate.

How to store lemon filled cookies

Keep the cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Or place them in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

If you love these cookies, you might also want to try these iced Meyer lemon cookies.

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Lemon Thumbprint Cookies

Yield: 34 cookies

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 14 minutes

Total Time: 59 minutes

Lemon Thumbprint Cookies are buttery vanilla shortbread cookies filled with lemon curd and drizzled with white chocolate. They are so amazing, you'll more than one batch!

Print

Ingredients

For the cookies

• 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup (110 g) granulated sugar, packed
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 cups (325 g) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (57 g) lemon curd

For the drizzle

• 1/2 cup (90 g) white chocolate chips
• 1/2 tablespoon canola oil

Instructions

Make the cookies

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line 2 baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat; set aside.
   In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes
2. Beat in the egg yolks, vanilla, and salt. Add the flour and mix just until blended. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
3. Shape the dough into 1 tablespoon size balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Using your thumb or the back of a teaspoon, press a slight indention in the center of each ball. Take care not to press too far down. If the edges crack while making the indention, simply pinch them back together to smooth them out. Otherwise, the cracks are okay.
4. Fill the indents with 1/4 teaspoon lemon curd.
5. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until the bottom edges are lightly browned.
6. Cool the cookies on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
   

Make the drizzle

1. Combine the white chocolate and canola oil in a microwave safe bowl. Heat on high for 30 seconds. Stir until melted. If additional heating is needed, do it in 10-second intervals. Stir well after each interval until the chocolate has melted completely.
2. Drizzle the melted white chocolate over cooled cookies and allow them to sit until the chocolate has set. You can place them in the refrigerator to set the chocolate quickly.

Notes

Make ahead tip

1. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Or in the refrigerator for up to 6 days.
2. Baked cookies without the glaze will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
3. The cookie dough will keep for up to 2 months in the freezer. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

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  Handheld Electric Mixer
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  1-Tablespoon Cookie Scoop
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  Baking Sheet

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 34 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 118Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 26mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 1gSugar: 6gProtein: 1g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the values shown are just an estimate.

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Originally published May 2015. Post updated May 2020 with new photos and a video. No change to the recipe other than doubled the ingredients to make more cookies.