Lemon Thumbprint Cookies
These Lemon Thumbprint Cookies are the perfect holiday cookies. Cookie dough balls are coated in walnuts then filled with lemon curd. This citrusy twist on an old fashioned cookie is incredibly delicious!
It’s the 9th day of our Tasty Treats and I’m almost sad that this is coming to an end, I’ll miss all the baking and all the wonderful smells in my home. However, we still have a few days, and I think I’ve saved my best for these last few days. I have to tell you guys again how much I’ve enjoyed reading about your favorite Christmas traditions. You guys have been great, you’ve left comments here and all over my social media. Seriously, you’ve made my Christmas and I loved reading all your stories.
Thumbprint cookies are one of my favorite cookies to make and to eat. They’re so much fun to make and so pretty. I love the fact that you can fill them with your favorite jelly, but this time I went with a lemon curd filling. I actually made my own lemon curd, but the store bought kind works just as well. I’ll have to share the recipe for my lemon curd with you at another time.
These lemon thumbprint cookies truly are for the lemon lovers out there, there’s lemon in the cookie and lots of lemon in the lemon curd, so definitely lemony! They’re also not a very sweet cookie, but you do get a bit of sweetness from the lemon curd.
These thumbprint cookies are also rolled through ground pecans which does give them a bit of crunchiness, which is my favorite part. I personally, love nuts in all cookies, but if you preferred to make these without the nuts you could. I would simply skip the part in step 5 where you have to roll them through the egg white, then pecans. You could also use different nuts, for example almonds would be great or even cashews.
I hope you give these thumbprint cookies a try because they’re incredibly good and they will look so adorable on your treat table. I’d love to hear from you guys as to what your favorite Christmas cookies are.
Check out some of the recent 12 Days of Taste Treats!
If you try this recipe, please let us know! Leave a comment, rate it and tag a photo #jocooks on Instagram so we can see it. I always love to see what you guys come up with!
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Lemon Thumbprint Cookies
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 35 mins
Serves: 36
These Lemon Thumbprint cookies are sure to be a tasty addition to any treat table or gifted tin. They're sweet, tart and delicious!
Ingredients
- 8 tbsp butter (1 stick) unsalted
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
- zest of one lemon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 egg white beaten
- 4 oz pecans ground
- 1/4 cup lemon curd
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. Place the ground pecans in a shallow plate.
- Add the butter, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla extract to the bowl of your mixer, and beat on medium using the paddle attachment until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, salt and continue beating until fully incorporated.
- Add the flour and continue mixing on low until fully incorporated.
- Roll the dough into 1 inch balls, then roll them through the egg white, then through the ground pecans. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about an 2 inches in between them. Using your thumb press little wells into the center of each cookie, sometimes I also use the bottom of a cork screw.
- Bake the cookies for 13 to 15 minutes or until the edges start to turn golden. Remove the baking sheets from the oven and allow cookies to cool on the sheets for about 5 minutes after which you can transfer them to a wire rack to allow them to cool completely.
- Place a small dollop of the lemon curd into the center of each cookie.
Recipe Notes
You can use any type of buts that you like best in this recipe. The nuts can be left out entirely. Just skip the egg white and pecan part in step 5. Store leftovers cookies in an airtight container, in the fridge for up to a week. To freeze them, store them in an airtight container for up to a month. Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.
Nutrition Information:
Serving: 1gCalories: 96kcal (5%)Carbohydrates: 11g (4%)Protein: 2g (4%)Fat: 5g (8%)Saturated Fat: 2g (13%)Cholesterol: 16mg (5%)Sodium: 26mg (1%)Potassium: 27mg (1%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 4g (4%)Vitamin A: 94IU (2%)Vitamin C: 1mg (1%)Calcium: 6mg (1%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
Nutrition Facts
Lemon Thumbprint Cookies
Amount Per Serving (1 g)
Calories 96 Calories from Fat 45
% Daily Value*
Fat 5g8%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Cholesterol 16mg5%
Sodium 26mg1%
Potassium 27mg1%
Carbohydrates 11g4%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 94IU2%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 6mg1%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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Barbara says
These can pur a little dry for me. Good flavor and look great, but too dry. If i make them again should i add mor butter or a drop of oil?
Joanna Cismaru says
I would maybe add another egg.
Joan says
Can I use lemon pie filling in place of the lemon curd?
Joanna Cismaru says
I think that’d be fine, they’re pretty similar.
Cheryl says
Hi there, my daughter is allergic to all nuts. Can I make these without the nuts and would they basically taste the same. Is there something I may substitute for the pecans?
Cheryl says
I didn’t mean to rate a 3, sorry. I love lemon, so I would most likely rate a 5 star!!
Joanna Cismaru says
You can, but they really wouldn’t be the same without the nuts. I suggest checking out the many other cookie recipes I have here without nuts in them.
Linda says
Best lemon curd cookie recipe I have come across.
They were easy to make and delicious.
Joanna Cismaru says
Thank you, Linda!
Kevin | Keviniscooking says
Hi Jo! These just grabbed my attention and I had to come comment. The ground pecans you rolled the dough in and that lemon curd… superb! Hoping you and the family have a wonderful, safe and fun Christmas! Cheers… Pinned to make these later. 🙂
Joanna Cismaru says
Thanks Kevin! Happy Holidays to you and your family as well!
Jo-Ann says
Thanks su much for the recipe! I’ve been looking for different ways to use my delicious homemade lemon curd and these cookies look delicious. Going to make a test batch for us today and bring a a bunch to a Christmas Eve party!!
Sara @ Last Night's Feast says
yum! These are so pretty!