Lemon Lavender Thumbprint Cookies (Printable)

Buttery treats with floral lavender notes and zesty lemon, topped with sweet citrus curd

# What You'll Need:

→ Cookie Base

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
05 - 2/3 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 large egg yolk
07 - 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
08 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
09 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
10 - 1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender, finely chopped

→ Filling

11 - 2/3 cup prepared lemon curd

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
04 - Mix in the egg yolk, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
05 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until incorporated.
06 - Fold in the chopped lavender until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
07 - Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough and roll into balls. Place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
08 - Gently press your thumb or the back of a teaspoon into the center of each ball to create an indentation.
09 - Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and gently reinforce the indentation if needed.
10 - Fill each indentation with about 1/2 teaspoon of lemon curd.
11 - Return cookies to the oven and bake for an additional 2 minutes, or until the edges are very lightly golden.
12 - Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The lavender flavor is delicate and sophisticated, not soapy or overwhelming
  • These cookies look impressive but come together in under an hour
  • The lemon curd center balances the rich buttery base perfectly
02 -
  • The dough will be soft, so chill it for 15 minutes if it becomes difficult to work with
  • Reinforcing the thumbprint after the first bake is crucial because the cookies will puff up
  • Do not overfill the indentations or the lemon curd will overflow during baking
03 -
  • If you are unsure about the lavender flavor, start with 1/2 tablespoon and work your way up
  • Use the back of a rounded measuring spoon to create uniform indentations
  • Warm the lemon curd slightly for easier filling if it has been refrigerated

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