Zesty Citrus Delights: A Tangy Lemon Cookies Recipe

Baking zesty lemon cookies sends warm waves of comfort through any kitchen.

These delightful tangy lemon cookies offer a perfect balance of sweet and citrusy flavors.

Crisp edges and soft centers make each bite a delectable experience.

The bright, sunny essence of fresh lemons infuses every crumbly morsel with vibrant taste.

Light and refreshing, these cookies work magic as an afternoon treat or elegant dessert.

Simple ingredients come together to create a sunshine-filled snack that brightens any moment.

You’ll love how easily these cookies transform an ordinary day into something special.

Stuffed Lemon Cookies: What You’ll Need

• Butter: Adds richness and creates tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture; choose high-quality unsalted butter for best flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps cookies spread evenly; fresh, fine-grain sugar works best.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and add structure; use fresh, room-temperature eggs for smooth mixing.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, aromatic notes; pure extract delivers more depth than imitation.
• Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Infuses bright, citrusy flavor; select firm, vibrant lemons with smooth skin for maximum zest.

• All-Purpose Flour: Forms cookie's structure; sift to remove lumps and ensure smooth dough.
• Baking Powder: Creates light, soft texture; check expiration date for optimal rising.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies flavors; use fine-grain table salt for even distribution.

• Cream Cheese: Creates smooth, tangy base; use full-fat variety for richest flavor.
• Butter: Adds creaminess to filling; softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens filling; sift to prevent lumps.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out filling's flavor profile; pure extract recommended.
• Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice: Brightens filling with citrusy punch; fresh lemons yield best results.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 12 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 52 minutes

Calories: 144 kcal

Servings: 24

Baking Tools for Filled Lemon Cookie Success

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, mixing wet ingredients.
• Electric mixer or whisk: Needed to blend ingredients smoothly and create fluffy texture.
• Medium bowl: Used for preparing lemon cream cheese filling.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Critical for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Baking sheet: Flat surface for baking cookies.
• Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and helps with even baking.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly without getting soggy.
• Zester or grater: Helps remove lemon zest for added flavor.
• Spatula: Useful for scraping and mixing ingredients.

How to Make Soft and Gooey Lemon Cookies

• Whip Up the Cookie Base

Grab your mixing bowl and blend softened butter with sugar until it becomes super fluffy and light. Crack in eggs one by one, then splash in vanilla, lemon juice, and zesty lemon shavings. Mix everything until it looks smooth and creamy.

• Create Dreamy Lemon Filling

In another bowl, whip cream cheese and butter until silky. Add lemon zest, juice, and vanilla. Slowly fold in powdered sugar until the mixture becomes luxuriously creamy and perfectly smooth.

• Shape Delightful Cookie Pockets

Warm up your oven to 350°F. Roll cookie dough into little round discs. Dollop a spoonful of lemon filling in the center of each disc. Gently fold and seal the edges, creating adorable lemon-filled pockets.

• Bake and Savor

Place your cookie treasures on a lined baking sheet, leaving space between each one. Slide them into the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges turn a gorgeous golden color. Let them rest briefly on the baking sheet, then transfer to a cooling rack. Enjoy your zesty, creamy cookie delights!

Zesty Tips for Even More Flavor

• Lemon Lover's Dream: Add extra lemon zest to intensify the citrusy flavor and make the cookies extra bright and zesty.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cookie dough and filling up to 2 days in advance, storing them separately in the refrigerator to save time on baking day.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these cookies suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Freezer-Friendly Treat: These cookies freeze beautifully. Store them in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper for up to 3 months, perfect for surprise guests or sweet cravings.
• Decoration Delight: Dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar or drizzle with a simple lemon glaze made from powdered sugar and lemon juice for an extra touch of sweetness and elegance.

How to Serve Up Your Lemon Cookies

• Zesty Tea Party Delight: Serve these stuffed lemon cookies alongside a hot cup of Earl Grey tea for a sophisticated afternoon treat that brings out the citrusy notes.
• Dessert Platter Paradise: Create a stunning dessert spread by arranging these cookies with other complementary treats like lavender shortbread or blueberry macarons for a visually appealing and delicious display.
• Summer Picnic Star: Pack these cookies in a cute container for outdoor gatherings, where their bright lemon flavor will refresh guests and add a touch of homemade charm to your picnic spread.
• Gifting Goodness: Wrap these cookies in clear cellophane with a pretty ribbon as a thoughtful homemade gift that showcases your baking skills and spreads sweet joy to friends and family.

Save Stuffed Cookies Without Losing Softness

• Cool Storage Solutions: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, separating layers with wax paper to prevent sticking.
• Quick Freezing Trick: Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying.
• Filling Freshness Strategy: Store cream cheese filling separately in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Mix well before using to restore smooth consistency.
• Smart Dough Management: Prepare cookie dough ahead and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for 4 weeks. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a zip-lock bag to maintain quality.

Tangy Lemon Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 52 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Lemon stuffed cookies deliver a zesty surprise with creamy centers nestled in buttery dough. Sweet-tart flavors dance on palates, inviting you to savor each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, softened
• 1 large egg
• 2 ¼ cups (270 g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar
• ¼ cup (30 g) powdered sugar
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar (for coating)
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• 2 tbsps fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• A few drops of yellow food coloring (optional)

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Instructions

1. Creaming: Vigorously blend butter and sugar until achieving a light, pale, and airy consistency that transforms the mixture into a silky texture.
2. Wet Ingredients Integration: Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring complete absorption, then mix in fresh lemon juice, zest, and vanilla extract to infuse vibrant citrus notes.
3. Dry Mixture Preparation: Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together, creating a uniform, fine dry ingredient blend that will ensure smooth cookie texture.
4. Dough Formation: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, blending minimally to maintain a tender, delicate cookie structure without overworking the dough.
5. Filling Creation: Whip cream cheese and butter until completely smooth, eliminating any potential lumps for a velvety cream cheese base.
6. Flavor Enhancement: Introduce lemon zest, juice, and vanilla into the cream cheese mixture, developing a bright, tangy filling with complex citrus undertones.
7. Filling Refinement: Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, whisking until the mixture reaches a luxurious, spreadable consistency with a silky, glossy finish.
8. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure optimal cookie baking conditions.
9. Cookie Assembly: Form uniform dough balls, flatten into discs, and carefully place a precise dollop of lemon cream cheese filling at the center of each.
10. Sandwich Formation: Delicately cover filled discs with additional dough, gently sealing edges to create perfectly formed sandwich cookies.
11. Baking Process: Arrange stuffed cookies on prepared sheets with adequate spacing, then bake until edges turn a subtle golden brown, approximately 12-15 minutes.
12. Cooling Stage: Allow cookies to rest briefly on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack for complete cooling and optimal texture development.

Notes

• Optimize Creaming Technique: Ensure butter and sugar are at room temperature for maximum air incorporation, creating a lighter, fluffier cookie texture.
• Prevent Overmixing: Stop mixing dry and wet ingredients the moment they combine to maintain a tender, soft cookie crumb without developing tough gluten.
• Master Filling Consistency: Achieve a thick, spreadable cream cheese filling by thoroughly draining excess moisture and chilling briefly before using to prevent runny centers.
• Temperature Control: Let baked cookies cool completely on the rack to allow filling to set and develop a stable, creamy texture that won’t ooze when handled.

• Prep Time: 12 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 157
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 18 mg