Bright, tender, and buttery, these Lemon Cream Cookies strike the perfect balance of sweet shortbread and tangy lemon filling for a sunny snack or dessert. They come together quickly and make lovely sandwich cookies for gatherings or lunchboxes. For an extra citrus idea, try the zesty lemon meltaway cookies for more bright flavor inspiration.
Why You’ll Love This Lemon Cream Cookies
- Bright, tangy lemon flavor with a creamy filling.
- Simple ingredients you likely have on hand.
- Quick to make and great for batch baking.
- Family-friendly—kids love the sandwich format.
- Keeps well for easy make-ahead serving.
Ingredients Needed
Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon
Lemon Cream Filling:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Step-by-Step Instructions 5 (always use H2 and H3)
1. Preheat and prepare
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cream butter and sugar
In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Mix the dough
Add the flour, salt, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice, mixing until a soft dough forms.
4. Shape cookies
Roll the dough into small balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Flatten slightly
Flatten each ball slightly with your fingers so cookies bake evenly.
6. Bake until golden
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
7. Whip the filling
While cookies cool, whip the heavy cream with granulated sugar until stiff peaks form.
8. Assemble sandwiches
Once cookies are cooled, spread lemon cream between two cookies to make a sandwich. Enjoy your delicious lemon cream cookies!
Serving Suggestions Lemon Cream Cookies
- Dust with extra powdered sugar for a pretty finish.
- Serve with fresh berries or a fruit salad.
- Pair with tea or a citrus-forward iced beverage.
- Add a crisp green side like asparagus salad with lemon vinaigrette for a brunch spread.
Tips for Success Lemon Cream Cookies
- Use room temperature butter so it creams smoothly for a tender cookie.
- Don’t overmix once flour is added to keep cookies delicate.
- Chill dough briefly if it seems too soft to shape easily.
- Whip the cream just until stiff peaks form to prevent a runny filling.
- For a savory-sweet brunch tip, consider serving alongside authentic Greek lemon garlic roasted potatoes for contrast.
Variations
Here are a few easy ways to change it up:
- Lemon-Blueberry: Fold a few finely chopped dried blueberries into the dough.
- Lemon-Almond: Swap half a teaspoon of vanilla for almond extract and sprinkle sliced almonds on the filling.
- Dairy-free option: Use coconut cream whipped with powdered sugar for a non-dairy filling.
Follow us on Pinterest for more cozy ideas.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened Use room temperature butter for easier mixing.
- 1 cup powdered sugar For sweetness and a smooth texture.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour Make sure to measure correctly.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt Enhances flavor.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon Adds fresh citrus flavor.
- Juice of 1 lemon Also contributes to the tangy flavor.
Lemon Cream Filling
- 1 cup heavy cream Whipped until stiff peaks form.
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar For sweetening the filling.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the flour, salt, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Roll the dough into small balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Flatten each ball slightly with your fingers so cookies bake evenly.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
Filling and Assembly
- While cookies cool, whip the heavy cream with granulated sugar until stiff peaks form.
- Once cookies are cooled, spread lemon cream between two cookies to make a sandwich.
- Enjoy your delicious lemon cream cookies!
