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Lemon Curd Thumbprint Cookies

Close-up of several delicious Lemon Curd Thumbprint Cookies dusted with powdered sugar on a white plate.
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A recipe for buttery shortbread cookies formed into thumbprints and filled with bright lemon curd.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup lemon curd (store-bought or homemade)
  • Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until just combined.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
  5. Roll the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, spaced 2 inches apart.
  6. Use your thumb or the back of a small measuring spoon to press a deep indentation into the center of each dough ball, creating a well for the filling.
  7. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers should still look pale.
  8. Remove the cookies from the oven. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. Once the cookies are completely cool, spoon about 1/2 teaspoon of lemon curd into each indentation. Fill just before serving or storing to prevent the curd from weeping.
  10. If desired, dust the cooled cookies lightly with powdered sugar.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, brown the butter before creaming it with the sugar. Cool the browned butter slightly before mixing.
  • If you notice the thumbprints shrinking while cooling, gently press them down again before the second bake.
  • Store the filled cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonswirl.com/lemon-curd-thumbprint-cookies/