🍪 Soft, Buttery Cookies with a Bright Lemon Filling

There’s something about lemon desserts that feels like pure sunshine. These Easy Lemon Curd Cookies are the perfect balance of buttery, melt-in-your-mouth goodness with a bright, tangy lemon center. The combination of a soft, shortbread-like cookie and smooth, luscious lemon curd makes these little bites absolutely irresistible.

The best part? They’re so easy to make! You don’t need any fancy equipment, and you can even use store-bought lemon curd to save time. Whether you’re making them for springtime brunch, holiday cookie trays, or just a sweet afternoon treat, these cookies are sure to disappear fast!

If you’re a lemon lover, this is the cookie recipe you’ve been waiting for. Let’s bake! 🍋💛

✨ Why You’ll Love These Lemon Curd Cookies

Super Easy – Simple ingredients and minimal effort.
Melt-in-Your-Mouth Texture – Buttery, soft, and delicate.
Bright & Tangy Flavor – Perfectly balanced with sweet and citrusy notes.
Make Ahead-Friendly – The cookies stay fresh for days!
Great for Any Occasion – Easter, brunch, tea parties, or a quick treat.

🇺🇸 Cuisine: American / European

These cookies combine elements of classic shortbread and thumbprint cookies, with a delightful lemony twist. They’re a popular choice for tea-time treats and festive holiday baking.

🛒 Ingredients

For the Cookie Dough:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
½ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon lemon zest

For the Filling:

½ cup lemon curd (store-bought or homemade)

Optional Garnish:

Powdered sugar for dusting
Extra lemon zest for topping

🍪 How to Make Lemon Curd Cookies

Step 1: Preheat & Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Add the vanilla extract and lemon zest, then mix to combine.

Slowly add the flour and salt, mixing just until the dough comes together. Do not overmix! The dough should be soft but not sticky.

Step 3: Shape the Cookies

Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart.

Using your thumb (or the back of a teaspoon), gently press an indent into the center of each cookie. If cracks form, just smooth them out with your fingers.

Step 4: Fill & Bake

Spoon about ½ teaspoon of lemon curd into each indentation.

Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are just lightly golden. The cookies should stay pale and soft!

Step 5: Cool & Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Dust with powdered sugar and a little extra lemon zest before serving for a bakery-style touch!

🔥 Pro Tips for Perfect Lemon Curd Cookies

Chill the dough for 15 minutes before baking if it feels too soft.
Don’t overbake – These cookies should be soft and delicate.
Use high-quality lemon curd for the best flavor.
Make sure the butter is softened – This gives the cookies their melt-in-your-mouth texture.
For extra lemony flavor, add an extra ½ teaspoon of zest to the dough.

🔄 Substitutions & Variations

Gluten-Free Version – Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Dairy-Free Option – Substitute vegan butter.
Berry Twist – Swap the lemon curd for raspberry or passion fruit curd.
Lemon Poppy Seed – Add 1 teaspoon of poppy seeds to the dough for extra texture.

🍋 Make a Healthier Version

Reduce the sugar – Skip the powdered sugar dusting.
Use whole wheat flour – For a slightly heartier cookie.
Make homemade lemon curd – Control the sweetness and ingredients.

🎉 And There You Have It!

A batch of Easy Lemon Curd Cookies that are buttery, citrusy, and impossible to resist! These little cookies are the perfect balance of sweet and tangy, making them a delightful treat for any occasion.

Try them out and let us know what you think! 🍋 Looking for more delicious cookie recipes? Check out our other sweet treats! 🍪💛