Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from about 1 lemon)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Ingredients for the Filling:
- 1 cup lemon curd (store-bought or homemade)
- Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your oven is at the right temperature by the time you’re ready to bake. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking and to make cleanup easier.
2. Make the Cookie Dough
In a large bowl, combine the softened butter and granulated sugar. Use an electric mixer or a hand whisk to cream them together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is important because it helps incorporate air into the dough, making the cookies soft and tender.
Next, add the egg, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Mix until everything is well combined. The lemon zest will infuse the dough with a fragrant citrus aroma, and the lemon juice will provide that tangy kick.
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This helps distribute the baking powder and salt evenly throughout the dough, ensuring that the cookies rise uniformly and have the right texture. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to dense cookies.
3. Shape the Cookie Dough
Take about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball using your hands. Flatten it slightly into a disk shape. Now, take about 1 teaspoon of lemon curd and place it in the center of the dough disk. Carefully fold the edges of the dough around the lemon curd, encasing it completely. Roll the dough back into a ball to seal the curd inside. Repeat this process with the remaining dough and lemon curd, placing the stuffed dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet. Make sure to space them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading as they bake.
4. Bake the Cookies
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. The edges of the cookies should turn a light golden brown, while the centers may appear slightly underbaked. Don’t worry—the centers will firm up as they cool. Keep an eye on the cookies to prevent them from overbaking, as they can become too hard if left in the oven for too long.
5. Cool and Serve
Once the cookies are baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This gives them time to set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. If you want to add a little extra sweetness, dust the cookies with powdered sugar before serving. This is optional, but it gives them a lovely finishing touch and a slight sweetness that complements the tart lemon curd filling.
Notes
1. Softened Butter is Key
Make sure your butter is softened before you begin. If your butter is too hard, it won’t cream properly with the sugar, and your cookies may turn out dense. If you forget to take the butter out ahead of time, you can soften it quickly by cutting it into small cubes and letting it sit at room temperature for a few minutes.
2. Don’t Overwork the Dough
Once you combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients, mix only until everything is incorporated. Overmixing the dough can lead to tough cookies. The key to soft, tender cookies is to handle the dough gently.
3. Watch the Baking Time
Since ovens vary, start checking the cookies around 10 minutes to make sure they don’t overbake. The cookies should look slightly golden at the edges and soft in the center. They will continue to cook a bit while cooling on the baking sheet.
4. Making Homemade Lemon Curd
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can make your own lemon curd! All you need is lemon juice, sugar, eggs, and butter. Lemon curd can take a little time to prepare but adds a homemade touch to the cookies. If you don’t have the time, though, store-bought lemon curd is a great alternative and saves you some prep work.
5. Storage Tips
If you have leftover cookies, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They also freeze well, so you can keep a batch for future cravings. Just make sure to let them cool completely before freezing.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes