Imagine a cookie that combines the brightness of lemon with the richness of a buttery crust, all in a convenient bite-sized package. Lemon bar cookies are a dream come true for fans of tangy and sweet treats.
These cookies are essentially a lemon bar in cookie form, with a shortbread-like crust and a tangy lemon curd filling. They are perfect for springtime gatherings, summer picnics, or anytime you need a burst of citrusy flavor in your life. In this article, we will explore the world of lemon bar cookies, including their ingredients, instructions, and nutrition facts.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Lemon bar cookies are a unique and delicious twist on traditional lemon bars. They are easier to eat and more convenient to serve than their bar counterparts, making them perfect for parties and gatherings.
Additionally, they have a beautiful presentation, with a layer of powdered sugar on top and a bright yellow lemon curd filling. They are also highly customizable, with options to add different flavors and mix-ins to the dough and filling.
Base Components
The base components of lemon bar cookies are a shortbread-like crust and a tangy lemon curd filling. The crust is made with butter, cream cheese, and flour, while the filling is made with lemon juice, sugar, and eggs. These components work together to create a cookie that is both rich and refreshing.
Recipe
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Lemon Bar Cookies
- Total Time: 1 hr 40 min
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
Description
Lemon bar cookies are a unique and delicious twist on traditional lemon bars. They have a shortbread-like crust and a tangy lemon curd filling, making them perfect for springtime gatherings, summer picnics, or anytime you need a burst of citrusy flavor in your life.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100 g)
- 3 egg yolks
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (60 ml)
- 1 tbsp lemon zest (15 g)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter (55 g)
- 7 tbsp unsalted butter (100 g)
- 3.5 ounces full-fat cream cheese (100 g)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (200 g)
- 1 whole large egg (50 g)
- 1 large egg yolk (20 g)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (5 g)
- 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (210 g)
- 2 tsp baking powder (10 g)
- 1/4 tsp salt (1.25 g)
- powdered sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- In a small pot, combine the sugar, lemon juice, yolk, and lemon zest.
- Cook over medium-low heat for 12 minutes, stirring constantly until the curd looks vibrant yellow and is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Pour the curd into a bowl and stir in the butter.
- Set aside to cool completely before using. Place it in the fridge to chill quickly!
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and cream cheese until combined.
- Pour in the sugar and mix until fully combined and fluffy.
- Mix in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla.
- Fold in the flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined.
- Scoop with a standard cookie scoop (roughly two tablespoons) and drop each one into a bowl of powdered sugar.
- Toss the ball in the powdered sugar until fully coated.
- Transfer them to a parchment-lined baking tray.
- Use the bottom of a tablespoon to press down the top of the dough to create a well, then fill it with one teaspoon of the lemon curd.
- Freeze the cookies for 1-2 hours or until frozen solid. Then bake them 2-3 inches apart on a parchment lined tray at 350 F for 12-13 minutes.
Notes
- Prep time: 1 hr 30 min
- Cook time: 10 min
- Total time: 1 hr 40 min
- Servings: 24 servings
- Prep Time: 1 hr 30 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 155 kcal
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 75 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 2 g
Ingredients and Substitutions
To make lemon bar cookies, you will need the following ingredients: granulated sugar, egg yolks, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, unsalted butter, full-fat cream cheese, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. You will also need powdered sugar for rolling the cookies. If you don’t have any of these ingredients, there are some substitutions you can make. For example, you can use lime juice instead of lemon juice for a different flavor.
Sauce and Seasonings
The sauce and seasonings in lemon bar cookies are what give them their unique flavor. The lemon curd filling is made with lemon juice, sugar, and eggs, and is cooked until it is thick and creamy. You can also add different seasonings to the filling, such as vanilla or nutmeg, to give it extra depth of flavor.
How to Make Lemon Bar Cookies
Making lemon bar cookies is a multi-step process that involves making the crust and filling, then assembling and baking the cookies. First, you need to make the lemon curd filling.
To do this, combine the sugar, lemon juice, and egg yolks in a small pot and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the curd looks vibrant yellow and is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Then, pour the curd into a bowl and stir in the butter. Set the curd aside to cool completely before using it. Next, make the crust by creaming together the butter and cream cheese until combined.
Pour in the sugar and mix until fully combined and fluffy. Mix in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla. Fold in the flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined. Scoop the dough into balls, about two tablespoons each, and roll each ball in powdered sugar to coat.
Place the balls onto a parchment-lined baking tray and use the bottom of a tablespoon to press down the top of each ball, creating a well.
Fill each well with one teaspoon of the lemon curd, then freeze the cookies for 1-2 hours or until frozen solid. Finally, bake the cookies at 350 F for 12-13 minutes, or until they are lightly golden brown.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here are the step-by-step instructions for making lemon bar cookies:
- Make the lemon curd filling by combining the sugar, lemon juice, and egg yolks in a small pot and cooking over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the curd looks vibrant yellow and is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Pour the curd into a bowl and stir in the butter. Set the curd aside to cool completely before using it.
- Make the crust by creaming together the butter and cream cheese until combined. Pour in the sugar and mix until fully combined and fluffy. Mix in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla. Fold in the flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined.
- Scoop the dough into balls, about two tablespoons each, and roll each ball in powdered sugar to coat. Place the balls onto a parchment-lined baking tray and use the bottom of a tablespoon to press down the top of each ball, creating a well.
- Fill each well with one teaspoon of the lemon curd, then freeze the cookies for 1-2 hours or until frozen solid. Finally, bake the cookies at 350 F for 12-13 minutes, or until they are lightly golden brown.
Pro Tips for Success
Here are some pro tips for making lemon bar cookies: use high-quality ingredients, such as fresh lemons and real butter, to get the best flavor. Don’t overmix the dough or the filling, as this can cause them to become tough and dense.
Use a cookie scoop to portion out the dough, as this will help the cookies to be uniform in size. If you want a more intense lemon flavor, you can add more lemon juice or zest to the filling. For more lemon bar inspiration, check out our recipe for thick and creamy lemon bars.
Flavor Variations
There are many ways to vary the flavor of lemon bar cookies. You can add different mix-ins to the dough, such as nuts or chocolate chips, to give the cookies extra texture and flavor. You can also use different types of citrus, such as lime or orange, to create a different flavor profile. For example, you can make lemon bars in a 9×13 pan and cut them into bars for a different presentation. Additionally, you can try making lemon bars with a shortbread crust for a more traditional flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Lemon bar cookies are perfect for serving at parties and gatherings. They are also great for packing in lunches or snacks. You can dust them with powdered sugar before serving for a beautiful presentation. They are perfect for springtime gatherings, summer picnics, or anytime you need a burst of citrusy flavor in your life.
Storage and Freezing Instructions
Lemon bar cookies can be stored at room temperature for up to 5 days. They can also be frozen for up to 2 months. To freeze, place the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer until they are frozen solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container and store them in the freezer. To thaw, simply leave the cookies at room temperature for a few hours or overnight.
Nutrition Facts per Serving
| Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein | Fiber | Sugar | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 155 | 8 g | 20 g | 2 g | 0.3 g | 13 g | 75 mg |
FAQs About Lemon Bar Cookies
What is the best way to store lemon bar cookies?
The best way to store lemon bar cookies is at room temperature for up to 5 days. They can also be frozen for up to 2 months.
Can I make lemon bar cookies ahead of time?
<p.Yes, you can make lemon bar cookies ahead of time. Simply bake and cool the cookies, then store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze them for up to 2 months.
Can I use a different type of citrus instead of lemon?
<p.Yes, you can use a different type of citrus instead of lemon. For example, you can use lime or orange juice and zest to create a different flavor profile.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, lemon bar cookies are a delicious and unique twist on traditional lemon bars. They are perfect for springtime gatherings, summer picnics, or anytime you need a burst of citrusy flavor in your life. With their shortbread-like crust and tangy lemon curd filling, they are sure to be a hit with anyone who tries them. So why not give them a try and see what you think?
