Lemon Curd Cookies

Luscious Lemon Curd Cookies: A delightful treat packed with lemon flavor

These Lemon Curd Cookies are a delightful twist on classic sweets, offering a vibrant pop of citrus against a backdrop of soft, buttery dough. Ideal for those who adore a touch of tang in their treats, these cookies are surprisingly simple to make, even for novice bakers.

Ingredients:

• For the Heavenly Cookies:
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup cake flour (for a lighter, airier texture)
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch (to prevent excess spreading)
• ½ teaspoon baking soda (for lift and texture)
• ½ teaspoon baking powder (for additional rise)
• ½ teaspoon salt (to balance the sweetness)
• 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed (for a flaky crust)
• 1 cup granulated sugar (for sweetness and structure)
• 1 large egg (for binding)
• 1 large egg yolk (for extra richness)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for warmth)
• ½ teaspoon lemon extract (for an intense lemon flavor)
• 2 tablespoons fresh-squeezed lemon juice (for that delightful tang)
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest (for a burst of citrusy aroma)
• For the Rolling and Dusting Magic:
• ¼ cup granulated sugar (for a sparkly finish)
• ¼ cup powdered sugar, plus extra for dusting (for a touch of sweetness)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Luscious Lemon Curd: This recipe is best when the lemon curd is made a day in advance. A chilled and perfectly set curd creates a delightful contrast with the soft cookies [refer to separate recipe for lemon curd].
2. Whisk the Dry Ingredients Together: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cake flour, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Let the dry mixture rest. We'll incorporate it later.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar: Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream together the cold, cubed butter and granulated sugar on medium speed for 2-3 minutes. Sneaky ingredients! Every now and then, use your spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl and make sure everything is incorporated. For an extra punch of lemon flavor, consider rubbing the lemon zest with the sugar before creaming it with the butter.
4. Introduce the Wet Ingredients: One by one, add the egg, egg yolk, lemon juice, lemon zest (if not added earlier), lemon extract, and vanilla extract. Mix well after each addition.
5. Incorporate the Dry Ingredients Gradually: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Don't go overboard with the mixing! A light touch is key for tender cookies.
6. Chill the Dough for Perfection: Cover the dough and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes, or up to 3 days. This chilling step is crucial for developing flavor, preventing the cookies from spreading too much, and making the dough easier to handle.
7. Preheat and Prepare: While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
8. Shape and Roll the Dough Balls: Once chilled, let the dough soften slightly at room temperature for a few minutes. Scoop and roll the dough into balls approximately 1-1 ½ tablespoons in size. Give your cookie dough a double sugar coat! Roll each ball in granulated sugar first, then finish them off with a dusting of powdered sugar before placing them on the baking sheet. This recipe should yield around 32 delightful cookies.
9. Create a Well for the Curd: Using your thumb or the end of a utensil, gently press a shallow indentation into the center of each cookie. This will create a little well to hold the luscious lemon curd.
10. Fill and Bake: Fill each indentation with about 1 teaspoon of the chilled lemon curd. Bake the cookies for 9-10 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden brown. Avoid overbaking for the best texture.
11. Cool, Decorate, and Enjoy!: Let the cookies cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. If desired, while the cookies are still warm, you can gently reshape any uneven ones using a circular cookie cutter. For an extra touch of elegance and flavor, add a dollop of additional lemon curd to the center of each cookie and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
12. Storage: Store the Lemon Curd Cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to maintain their freshness.

Tips for Luscious Lemon Curd Cookies:

• For the Zestiest Flavor: When choosing lemons for the zest, opt for unwaxed lemons. This allows you to extract more of the fragrant lemon oils from the rind, resulting in a more intense lemon flavor in your cookies.
• Room Temperature Butter is Key: Ensure your butter is softened but still cool to the touch. This will help create a light and fluffy cookie texture. If the butter is too cold, the cookies will be dense. Conversely, if the butter is too warm, the cookies will spread excessively.
• Don't Overmix: Once the dry ingredients are incorporated, resist the urge to overmix the dough. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Mix until just combined, then stop.
• Chilling is Crucial: Chilling the dough is an essential step in this recipe. It allows the flavors to develop, prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking, and makes the dough easier to handle. Don't skip this step!
• Perfectly Round Cookies: If you prefer perfectly round cookies, use a cookie scoop to portion the dough. This will ensure uniform size and shape.
• Prevent Sticking: For a guaranteed non-stick surface, chill the baking sheets in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before placing the cookie dough on them.
• Golden Edges are Key: Don't overbake the cookies. The edges should have a hint of golden brown, but the center should give slightly when pressed. This ensures a delightful balance between a crisp exterior and a soft, chewy interior.
• Reshaping Warm Cookies: If a few cookies lose their shape during baking, use a circular cookie cutter to gently reshape them while they are still warm on the baking sheet.
• Lemon Curd Variations: Feel free to experiment with different flavors of store-bought or homemade lemon curd. Options include blood orange curd, raspberry lemon curd, or even a hint of lavender for a floral twist.
• Gifting Perfection: These Lemon Curd Cookies are perfect for gifting! Package them in a beautiful tin or decorative box with wax paper between layers to prevent sticking. They're sure to impress your friends and family.

By following these tips and the detailed instructions, you'll be well on your way to baking a batch of these delightful Lemon Curd Cookies that are bursting with sunshine in every single bite!