Description
These Lemon Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies are soft, buttery cookies bursting with bright lemon flavor and a sweet raspberry jam center. Ideal for holidays, afternoon tea, or a delightful homemade dessert, they balance citrusy zest and fruity sweetness in every bite.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Filling
- 1/3 cup raspberry jam
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light, airy, and fluffy, creating the perfect base for tender cookies.
- Add wet ingredients: Incorporate the egg yolk, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice into the butter-sugar mixture, blending well to infuse the dough with bright, citrusy flavors.
- Combine dry ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft, cohesive dough forms, ensuring a delicate crumb in your cookies.
- Shape the cookies: Roll the dough into small, evenly sized balls and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet with enough space to expand.
- Create thumbprints: Gently press your thumb or the back of a spoon in the center of each dough ball to make an indentation, which will hold the jam filling.
- Fill with raspberry jam: Spoon a small amount of raspberry jam into the indentation of each cookie, adding a sweet and fruity contrast to the lemon dough.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the edges turn a light golden brown, indicating they are perfectly baked.
- Cool and serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely, then enjoy or store for later.
Notes
- Swap raspberry jam with strawberry or apricot jam for a different fruity flavor.
- If the dough feels too soft to handle, chilling it in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes helps firm it up.
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
