Lemon Thumbprint Cookies {Recipe}

Earlier this week I posted a delicious homemade lemon curd recipe and promised to be back soon to share some recipe that include this delicious treat.  I'll start off with these pretty little Lemon Thumbprint Cookies.  These delicious cookies are quite easy to make, and could be made with either store bought, or homemade lemon curd.  These are sure to be a hit with any lemon lovers, and I think they would be a perfect cookie to include on a tea party menu. 

Lemon Thumbprint Cookies

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter

1/2 cup powdered sugar (plus a little extra for dusting the finished cookies)

1/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest

1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 cups all purpose flour

3/4 cup prepared lemon curd (store bought or homemade)

Directions ~

Beat butter in a large bowl until smooth.  Add sugars and continue mixing.  Add egg, lemon zest, lemon juice and vanilla.  Mix until fully incorporated.  Add baking powder, and then flour (slowly, while mixing).   Stop mixing as soon as the flour is fully incorporated.  Cover dough and chill in the refrigerator about 1 hour. 

Place lemon curd into a small ziplock bag, and cut off one corner of the bag.

When the dough has chilled, preheat oven to 350*F.  Roll small balls of dough and place on a silpat lined, or parchment lined baking sheet.  Flatten balls of dough slightly with the palm of your hand.  Use your thumb to create a crater in the center of the dough.  Fill crater with about 1 teaspoon of lemon curd.

Bake cookies about 15 minutes, or until cookie edges are just turning golden brown.  Remove from oven, cool slightly, then move to a wire cooling rack to cool fully.  Dust cookies with powdered sugar. 

(Note- I found that when I dusted the cookies with powdered sugar, the sugar fully covered the lemon filling.  I wanted the filling to show up a bit, so I dipped one finger into a small bowl of water, then just slightly moistened the lemon filling.  Then, sprinkle with powdered sugar, and the sugar will only be visible just the cookie portion.)   

Recipe yields about 3 dozen cookies

Recipe source- Women's Day 

If you happen to be planning a tea party, here are a few more delicious recipes that could be included on your menu...

Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Cucumber and Tomato Tea Sandwiches

Lemony Lemon Bread