Lemon Lavender Thumbprint Cookies (Printable)

Buttery floral cookies with zesty lemon curd centers

# Ingredient List:

→ For the Cookies

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

→ For the Filling

11 - 2/3 cup prepared lemon curd

# Steps:

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

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The floral perfume from lavender hits you before that bright lemon curd even touches your tongue.
  • These cookies manage to feel fancy enough for a wedding shower but casual enough for Tuesday afternoon tea.
  • The recipe doubles beautifully and the dough freezes like a dream for unexpected guests.
02 -
  • Reinforce those thumbprints after the first bake or your lemon curd will overflow onto the baking sheet instead of staying in the cookie.
  • Room temperature ingredients are the difference between tender cookies and tough little hockey pucks.
  • Lavender can quickly taste like soap so measure carefully and use only culinary grade flowers meant for eating.
03 -
  • Infuse your sugar with lavender overnight by mixing them together then sifting out the buds before creaming with butter.
  • Use the back of a rounded measuring spoon instead of your thumb for perfectly uniform indentations every time.

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