Name: Stuffed Lemon Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 12 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 52 min
Yield: 24
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 ¼ cups (270 grams) all-purpose flour; ¾ cup (170 grams) unsalted butter, softened; 1 large egg; 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened; ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar; ¼ cup (50 grams) brown sugar; ¼ cup (30 grams) powdered sugar; ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar (for coating); 1 teaspoon baking powder; ¼ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 tablespoon lemon zest; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; A few drops of yellow food coloring (optional)

Whipping up delightful stuffed lemon cookies brings a burst of sunshine to your kitchen.

Citrusy aromas will dance through the air, promising pure delight.

Sweet surprises hide inside each tender morsel, waiting to surprise you.

Zesty lemon filling peeks out from delicate cookie edges, tempting every sweet tooth.

Baking these treats becomes an adventure of flavor and texture.

Crisp exteriors give way to creamy centers that melt effortlessly.

Rich, buttery notes complement bright citrus in this irresistible treat.

You won’t be able to stop at just one of these magical cookies.

How to Make Stuffed Lemon Cookies at Home

Step 1: Whip Up the Dough Base

Grab a spacious mixing bowl and transform butter and sugar into a cloud-like, fluffy mixture by creaming them together.
Introduce eggs one by one, then welcome lemon juice, vanilla extract, and bright lemon zest into the party.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt through a gentle whisking motion.
Merge wet and dry ingredients carefully, stopping just as they become friends.

Step 2: Craft the Tangy Filling

Blend cream cheese and butter until silky smooth.
Invite lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to join the creamy celebration.
Gradually fold in powdered sugar, stirring until the filling becomes luxuriously creamy.

Step 3: Shape the Delightful Treats

Warm up the oven to 350°F and dress a baking sheet in parchment paper.
Roll cookie dough into gentle rounds, creating little pillows.
Nestle a dollop of lemon filling in the center of each dough disc.
Gently wrap another dough disc over the filling, sealing the edges like a delicate envelope.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Arrange stuffed cookies on the baking sheet with breathing room between them.
Slide into the oven and bake until edges turn a golden whisper.
Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for a moment before transferring to a cooling rack.
Allow cookies to completely cool and set their magical lemony structure.

Chill the Dough: Refrigerate cookie dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain cookie structure during baking.
Seal Edges Carefully: Pinch cookie edges gently but firmly to prevent filling from leaking during baking, ensuring a perfect stuffed cookie.
Control Filling Quantity: Use exactly one teaspoon of lemon cream cheese filling to prevent overflow and maintain balanced cookie texture.
Adjust Lemon Intensity: Modify lemon zest and juice amounts to customize tartness according to personal taste preferences.
Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum for similar texture and consistency.

Keep Stuffed Lemon Cookies Soft and Fresh

Store leftover stuffed lemon cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Place wax paper between layers to prevent sticking.
Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for maximum freshness.
Remove frozen cookies from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to maintain texture.
Warm cookies briefly in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes to restore their soft, slightly crisp edges and revive the delicate lemon flavor.

What to Serve with Stuffed Lemon Cookies

Brew a light chamomile or mint tea to complement the bright lemon flavor, creating a balanced and soothing taste experience.
Select a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to enhance the citrusy notes and provide a sophisticated adult dessert pairing.
Serve a scoop of smooth vanilla gelato alongside the cookies, allowing the cool, rich texture to contrast with the tangy lemon filling.
Top the cookies with a small quenelle of zesty lemon sorbet to intensify the citrus profile and provide a refreshing palate cleanser.

Flavor Ideas for Stuffed Lemon Cookies

Gluten-Free Lemon Delight: Replace wheat flour with a blend of almond and coconut flour for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the cookie's soft texture and tangy flavor.
Vegan Citrus Sandwich: Swap butter with coconut oil, use plant-based cream cheese, and substitute eggs with flax eggs to create a completely dairy-free and egg-free cookie option.
Low-Sugar Lemon Treat: Reduce granulated sugar by half and use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in the filling to create a diabetic-friendly and lower-calorie cookie alternative.
Zesty Almond Variation: Incorporate ground almonds into the dough and add almond extract alongside lemon zest for a nutty, aromatic cookie with a subtle citrus undertone.

FAQs on Stuffed Lemon Cookies

Are these cookies difficult to make?

No, these stuffed lemon cookies are beginner-friendly. The recipe requires basic baking skills like mixing ingredients, rolling dough, and filling cookies. Anyone with minimal baking experience can successfully make these delightful treats.

Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh lemons?

Fresh lemon juice is recommended for the best flavor, but bottled lemon juice can work in a pinch. Just ensure it’s 100% pure lemon juice without added preservatives or sugar for the most authentic taste.

How can I prevent the filling from leaking during baking?

Seal the edges of the cookies carefully by pinching them together gently. Make sure the dough completely covers the filling and there are no gaps. Chilling the assembled cookies for 15 minutes before baking can also help prevent leakage.

What makes the lemon flavor so vibrant in these cookies?

The combination of fresh lemon zest and lemon juice in both the cookie dough and cream cheese filling creates a bright, tangy flavor profile. The zest provides intense citrus oils that enhance the overall lemon taste.

Why Everyone’s Raving About Stuffed Lemon Cookies

Indulge in these stuffed lemon cookies that bring sunshine to your dessert plate.
Whip up these delightful cookies in under an hour with basic pantry ingredients, making them perfect for spontaneous baking sessions.
The tangy lemon cream cheese filling nestled inside soft, buttery cookie dough creates an irresistible treat that will delight both kids and adults.
Ideal for summer gatherings, afternoon tea, potlucks, or as a sweet gift, these cookies elevate any casual or special event with their elegant and bright flavor profile.
Easily adjust the lemon intensity by adding more or less zest, allowing bakers to tailor the recipe to personal taste preferences without compromising the cookie's delicious texture.

Ingredients That Fill Stuffed Lemon Cookies

Cookie Base Ingredients:

Butter: Soft base for rich and tender cookie texture.
Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with cookie structure.
Eggs: Binds ingredients and adds moisture.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile.
Lemon Juice: Adds tangy citrus flavor.
Lemon Zest: Provides intense lemon aroma.
Flour: Primary structure and texture of cookie.
Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become light.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavors.

Filling Ingredients:

Cream Cheese: Creamy base for filling with rich texture.
Butter: Adds smoothness to filling.
Lemon Zest: Brightens filling with citrus notes.
Lemon Juice: Provides zesty tang.
Vanilla Extract: Rounds out filling flavor.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens filling.

Baking Essentials:

Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking.
Baking Sheet: Provides even heat distribution.

Jamie Granger

Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

Fusion Cuisine Development
Recipe Development and Food Styling
Culinary Writing and Content Creation
Nutrition and Healthy Cooking

Education

Culinary Institute of America

Degree: Associate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on flavor development, classic and contemporary culinary techniques, menu design, and global cuisine preparation; combined with food-service management, communication, and finance training; and immersive hands‑on restaurant operations through paid industry internships.

Jamie Granger turns ingredients into memories. With her recipes, she brings a fusion-forward flair to every creation.

Her dishes reflect the places she’s explored, the chefs she’s learned from, and the deep connection she has to food as a form of expression.

At Pass and Provision, Jamie develops recipes that balance flavor, health, and beauty, meals that don’t just satisfy your appetite but speak to your curiosity.

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