Stuffed Lemon Cookies Recipe

Zesty Homemade Stuffed Lemon Cookies Recipe That Sparkle

Soft, buttery lemon cookies stuffed with creamy filling will make your taste buds dance with joy.

Zesty citrus notes burst through each delightful bite, creating an irresistible treat.

Baking these delectable morsels brings a sunshine-like warmth to your kitchen.

sweet and tangy flavors merge perfectly in this simple yet elegant recipe.

Crafted with minimal ingredients, these cookies promise a delightful experience for anyone who loves a hint of brightness.

You’ll find yourself returning for another crisp, delicate cookie that melts in your mouth.

Let’s embark on a culinary adventure that celebrates the magic of lemon-infused sweetness.

Lemon Treats Storing for Best Results

  • Store leftover cookies in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Freeze for 2-3 months without losing quality or taste.
  • Remove frozen cookies from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before serving. Avoid microwave thawing to maintain texture.
  • Warm cookies in preheated oven at 300F for 3-4 minutes to restore crisp edges and soft center. Use baking sheet lined with parchment paper for best results.

FAQs

  • What makes the lemon curd filling unique?

The lemon curd is cooked over a bain-marie, which creates a smooth, creamy texture and prevents burning. Freezing the curd before filling helps maintain its shape inside the cookie.

  • Can I make the dough and lemon curd ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare both the cookie dough and lemon curd a day in advance. Keep the dough and curd refrigerated until you’re ready to assemble and bake the cookies.

  • How do I prevent the lemon curd from leaking during baking?

Freezing the lemon curd portions and carefully wrapping the dough completely around the filling helps seal the curd inside the cookie and prevents leakage.

Sweet Lemon Treats for a Zesty Finish

  • Burst with Citrusy Flavor: Zesty lemon curd nestled inside soft cookies delivers a tangy punch that wakes up your taste buds and brings sunshine to your dessert plate.
  • Master Simple Baking Techniques: This recipe guides home bakers through easy steps like creating a creamy curd and wrapping cookie dough, perfect for developing kitchen confidence without complicated methods.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Dessert Surprise: Unexpected lemon filling transforms classic cookies into a delightful treat that impresses family and friends with minimal extra effort, making it ideal for gatherings or casual weekend baking.
  • Customize Your Sweet Adventure: Easily adapt the recipe by adjusting lemon intensity or experimenting with different zest levels, allowing personal creativity in every delicious batch.

Lemon Treats Ingredient Picks

Lemon Curd Ingredients:
  • Sugar: A sweet component that helps thicken the lemon curd and provides balanced sweetness.
  • Cornstarch: A thickening agent that helps create a smooth and creamy lemon curd texture.
  • Egg: Provides structure and richness to the lemon curd filling.
  • Lemon Juice: Delivers bright, tangy citrus flavor to the curd.
  • Lemon Peel: Adds intense lemon essence and aromatic notes to the filling.
  • Butter: Creates a rich and smooth finish to the lemon curd.
Cookie Dough Ingredients:
  • Butter: Provides richness and helps create a tender cookie texture.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with cookie browning.
  • Lemon Zest: Infuses the dough with bright, citrusy flavor.
  • Vanilla: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the cookie.
  • Egg: Binds the ingredients and adds moisture to the dough.
Dry Ingredients:
  • Flour: Serves as the primary structure for the cookie dough.
  • Salt: Balances and enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.
  • Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and creates a light texture.
  • Granulated Sugar: Used for rolling the cookies to create a sweet, crisp exterior.

Lemon Treats Stepwise Preparation

Step 1: Whip Up Zesty Lemon Curd

Grab a bowl and combine your dry and wet ingredients for the lemon curd:
  • Sugar
  • Cornstarch
  • Egg
  • Lemon juice
  • Lemon peel

Cook this mixture over a water bath, stirring constantly until it thickens beautifully.

Fold in butter and let it cool down.

Pop the mixture in the refrigerator to chill for half an hour.

Once chilled, divide into small portions and freeze for an hour to create perfect filling centers.

Step 2: Create Soft Cookie Dough

In a mixing bowl, blend together:
  • Butter
  • Sugar
  • Lemon zest
  • Vanilla extract
  • Egg
Gently incorporate:
  • Flour
  • Salt
  • Baking soda

Place the dough in the refrigerator to rest and firm up for 20 minutes.

Step 3: Shape Magical Cookies

Scoop out portions of cookie dough and flatten them.

Place a frozen lemon curd center in the middle of each flattened dough.

Carefully wrap the dough around the filling, sealing it completely.

Roll each cookie in sugar for a sparkling finish.

Arrange on a baking tray with space between each cookie.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the cookie tray into a preheated oven.

Bake until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown, which takes about 8-9 minutes.

Remove and let cool slightly before enjoying your lemony treats.

Lemon Treats Tips for More Lemon Punch

  • Freeze lemon curd completely solid before wrapping in cookie dough to ensure it stays contained during baking.
  • Roll cookies lightly in sugar for a delicate sweet finish, avoiding heavy clumps that can burn during baking.
  • Space cookies at least 2 inches apart on the baking tray to allow proper heat circulation and uniform golden edges.
  • Adjust lemon zest quantity based on personal preference for stronger or milder citrus flavor in the cookie dough.
  • Always refrigerate both cookie dough and lemon curd before assembling to maintain structural integrity and enhance flavor development.

Lemon Treats Fresh New Combinations

  • Gluten-Free Citrus Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a gluten-free version. Ensure baking powder is gluten-free certified.
  • Vegan Lemon Surprise: Swap eggs with flax eggs, use plant-based butter, and coconut cream in lemon curd. Substitute regular sugar with coconut sugar.
  • Low-Sugar Lemon Treats: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of sugar. Reduce overall sugar content while maintaining sweet flavor profile.
  • Dairy-Free Option: Substitute butter with coconut oil or olive oil-based spread. Use dairy-free milk alternatives in lemon curd preparation.

Serving Lemon Treats with Style

  • Zesty Breakfast Companion: Pair these tangy lemon cookies with a morning cappuccino or light tea for a delightful start to your day.
  • Elegant Dessert Platter: Arrange cookies on a beautiful serving tray with fresh mint leaves and a light dusting of powdered sugar for an impressive presentation.
  • Gifting Delight: Package cooled cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with a ribbon for a homemade gift that looks professionally crafted and tastes amazing.
  • Cool Accompaniment: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to enhance the lemon's bright, refreshing flavor and create a delectable dessert experience.
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Stuffed Lemon Cookies Recipe

Stuffed Lemon Cookies Recipe


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4.5 from 11 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Lemon-lovers rejoice with these delightful stuffed lemon cookies that blend zesty citrus and creamy filling into one irresistible treat. Perfectly balanced between tangy and sweet, these cookies promise a delectable surprise in every delicious bite you’ll savor.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 200g (1 2/3 cups) all-purpose flour
  • 110g (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 110g (1/2 cup) caster sugar
  • 1 egg (53g)
  • 1 egg (52g)

Lemon Ingredients:

  • 45g (3 tablespoons) fresh lemon juice
  • Lemon peel from 1/4 lemon
  • Lemon zest from 3/4 lemon

Additional Ingredients:

  • 55g (1/4 cup) caster sugar
  • 22g (1.5 tablespoons) unsalted butter
  • 4g (1 teaspoon) cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • Pinch of salt
  • Granulated sugar for coating

Instructions

  1. Prepare the lemon curd by whisking sugar and cornstarch in a heatproof bowl. Incorporate egg, lemon juice, and lemon peel. Gently cook over a water bath for 10 minutes, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth.
  2. Remove from heat and fold in butter until fully integrated. Allow the curd to cool completely, then cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to set.
  3. Divide the chilled lemon curd into 10 equal portions and freeze for 1 hour to create firm filling centers.
  4. Create cookie dough by creaming together butter, sugar, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.
  5. Blend in egg until well combined. Gradually incorporate flour, salt, and baking soda to form a cohesive dough.
  6. Refrigerate dough for 20 minutes to firm up and enhance flavor development.
  7. Preheat oven to 350°F. Scoop chilled dough and flatten into small circles.
  8. Place a frozen lemon curd portion in the center of each dough circle. Carefully wrap and seal dough around the filling.
  9. Roll each filled cookie in granulated sugar for a sparkling exterior.
  10. Arrange cookies on a baking sheet, maintaining space between each treat.
  11. Bake for 8-9 minutes until edges turn golden brown and cookies appear set.

Notes

  • Whisk egg mixture constantly while cooking over bain-marie to ensure smooth, silky lemon curd without scrambling eggs.
  • Use microplane or fine grater to extract maximum lemon flavor without bitter white pith when zesting.
  • Pre-freezing lemon curd helps maintain clean filling and prevents leaking during cookie wrapping process.
  • Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free blend for celiac-friendly version without compromising texture.
  • Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 198
  • Sugar: 13 g
  • Sodium: 59 mg
  • Fat: 11 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 38 mg
Nathaniel Brooks

Nathaniel Brooks

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Farm-to-table cuisine, Seasonal recipe development, Culinary storytelling

Education

Ivy Tech Community College – Indianapolis, IN
Culinary Arts / Hospitality Administration & Events
Focused on hands-on training in classical and modern culinary techniques. ​


Nathaniel’s story starts in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, where farm stands, backyard gardens, and old family recipes shaped his love for real food. After graduating from Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis, he spent years working in farm-to-table kitchens, learning how to turn local, seasonal ingredients into something memorable.
Today, Nathaniel pours that same spirit into every single recipe on Aspiring Culinarian – recipes that feel real, comforting, and connected to the land. When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll find him foraging wild herbs, chasing sunsets with his camera, or writing about the flavors that shaped his roots.

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