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Perfect Soft Lemon Curd Thumbprint Cookies Easy Homemade Recipe with Pastel Icing

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Soft, chewy lemon curd thumbprint cookies with a tender buttery base and pastel icing that adds a gentle sweetness and bright color. Perfect for gatherings or a quick sweet treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large egg yolks, room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ¾ cup (about 180 ml) lemon curd, homemade or store-bought
  • 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 tbsp (30 ml) milk, whole or 2%
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • Food coloring gel, pastel shades (pink, blue, yellow, or green), a drop per color

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  2. In a large bowl, beat 1 cup softened unsalted butter with ¾ cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Mix in 2 large egg yolks, one at a time, then stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until the dough looks rich and glossy.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt.
  5. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed or folding with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Using a teaspoon or small cookie scoop, portion dough balls about 1 inch in diameter and place them 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
  7. Press your thumb or the back of a small spoon gently into the center of each dough ball to create a small well.
  8. Spoon about ½ teaspoon of lemon curd into each indentation without overfilling.
  9. Bake for 12-15 minutes until cookies are set but still soft with slight golden edges.
  10. Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  11. While cookies cool, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth.
  12. Divide icing into small bowls and tint with food coloring gels to create pastel colors.
  13. Drizzle or gently brush the pastel icing over each cookie and let set for at least 30 minutes before serving or storing.

Notes

Use softened butter that is not melted for best creaming results. Do not overmix the dough after adding flour to keep cookies tender. Chill dough for 15-20 minutes if too sticky. Watch baking time carefully to keep cookies soft. Adjust icing consistency by varying powdered sugar or milk. For gluten-free, substitute flour with 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. For dairy-free, use coconut oil instead of butter and plant-based milk for icing.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon curd cookies, thumbprint cookies, pastel icing, soft cookies, homemade cookies, lemon dessert, easy cookie recipe

Find it online: https://jodierecipes.com/perfect-soft-lemon-curd-thumbprint-cookies-easy-homemade-recipe-with-pastel-icing/