Lemon Bar Cookie Cups – Experience the combination of sweet and tangy, with our Lemon Bar Cookie Cups! These bite-sized treats offer a blend of buttery cookies, a luscious lemon curd filling, and a zesty sprinkle of lemon zest on top. They’re incredibly easy to make. Will add a touch of brightness to any dessert table. Let’s delve into this lemony goodness!
The first time I attempted making these Lemon Bar Cookie Cups was on a Sunday afternoon and my kitchen was filled with the scent of freshly baked cookies. As I prepared the cookie cups, my husband and child eagerly watched, their mouths watering in anticipation. When the cookies emerged from the oven beautifully golden and inviting I carefully created wells in their centers to hold the delectable lemon curd filling. As I spooned in the lemon goodness their eyes lit up with delight. We couldn’t resist indulging in one while they were still warm; the combination of sweet and buttery flavors was a dance, on our taste buds. It quickly became a beloved family favorite. Now we bake these Lemon Bar Cookie Cups together whenever we crave a burst of citrusy joy to brighten our day.
What makes this Lemon Bar Cookie Cups truly special?
These delightful Lemon Bar Cookie Cups are a combination of two desserts. They bring together the buttery goodness of cookies with the tantalizing zestiness of lemon bars. What sets them apart is the balance, between sweetness and tartness. The soft and chewy cookie base creates a comforting contrast to the zingy lemon curd filling. These individual cup-sized treats are perfect for gatherings or as an indulgence, for yourself. Each bite offers a burst of sunshine with a hint of lemon zest and a dusting of powdered sugar. Whether you adore lemons or simply need a pick me up these scrumptious Lemon Bar Cookie Cups are an irresistible choice that will leave your taste buds tingling with delight.
What You Need To Make This Lemon Bar Cookie Cups Recipe?
Flour: You can opt for all-purpose flour when making the cookie cups. If you’re looking for a different texture you can experiment with cake flour or pastry flour.
Lemon Juice: It’s best to use freshly squeezed lemon juice to achieve that vibrant citrus flavor. Bottled lemon juice might lack the freshness and brightness of the thing.
Butter: To control the saltiness of the recipe it’s recommended to use unsalted butter. In case you only have salted butter simply reduce the amount of added salt accordingly.
Eggs: For the lemon curd filling fresh eggs work best. Room-temperature eggs are easier to mix and blend into the mixture.
Vanilla: Pure vanilla extract enhances the flavor of these cookies. If you prefer a pronounced vanilla taste you can try using vanilla bean paste instead.
Baking Soda and Baking Powder: These leavening agents play a role, in helping the cookies rise and achieve a tender texture.
Sugar: Granulated sugar is used in both the cookie dough and lemon curd filling. It adds sweetness to the cookies while also providing stability to the lemon curd.
Zest: Adding some zest from a lemon gives these cookies a burst of citrus aroma and flavor. Remember to zest your lemon before juicing it.
Powdered Sugar: Before serving dusting these cookie cups with sugar adds a touch of sweetness and provides an elegant finishing touch.
Steps To Make Lemon Bar Cookie Cups:
Step 1: First, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Don’t forget to coat your mini muffin tin, with nonstick cooking spray so that the cookie cups don’t stick!
Step 2: In a bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. This combination will give our cookie cups that perfect texture so it’s important not to skip this step.
Step 3: In a bowl cream together the butter and sugar until they become light and fluffy. It’s like witnessing a buttery love story unfolding before our eyes.
Want To Save This Recipe?
Step 4: Crack an egg into the mixture, add some vanilla extract, and stir until everything is well combined in the bowl. It’s all about creating harmony among these ingredients.
Step 5: Gradually add the mixture while stirring until everything is nicely incorporated. This dough will serve as the foundation, for our delicious cookie cups.
Step 6: Shape 1-inch dough balls. Place them into each muffin tin cavity. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Until they turn a beautiful golden brown color. Once you catch a whiff of that cookie aroma filling your kitchen you’ll know they’re almost done.
Step 7: When the cookies are fresh, out of the oven gently press the back of a spoon into the center of each cookie to create an indentation for our lemon surprise.
Step 8: It’s time to prepare the lemon curd filling! Start by creaming butter and sugar then add 2 eggs and 2 egg yolks (you can save the whites for another recipe, like a meringue adventure). Mix in that lemon juice until you have a slightly lumpy texture – don’t worry it’s perfectly fine!
Step 9: Next let’s transfer our lemon curd mixture to a saucepan and cook it over medium heat while stirring continuously for 5 minutes. You’ll witness its transformation into a thick consistency.
Step 10: Now using a teaspoon carefully fill each cookie indentation with our lemony delight. You’re adding a burst of citrus goodness to every bite!
Step 11: For a touch of citrusy flair sprinkle some lemon zest on top. Then allow your cookie cups to chill in the refrigerator for about half an hour until the lemon curd sets up nicely.
Step 12: Once they’ve set gently remove them from the muffin tin using a butter knife and dust them lightly with sugar. Your Lemon Bar Cookie Cups are now ready to amaze your taste buds!
Step 13: Indulge, in these sweet and absolutely delightful treats bursting with lemon flavor!
Tip:
When you press the back of the spoon gently but firmly, into the baked cookie cups aim to create a well that can hold the lemony filling without causing any breakage, to the cookie. This well is crucial as it forms the heart of your cookie cup and ensures the ultimate lemon experience.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use store-bought lemon curd instead of making it from scratch?
Definitely! While homemade lemon curd adds a delightful touch feel free to use store-bought lemon curd to save time. Still savor these delicious lemon bar cookie cups.
How should I store these Lemon Bar Cookie Cups?
To keep these cookie cups fresh simply store them in an airtight container, in the refrigerator for around 3 to 4 days. They taste delightful when chilled!
Can I freeze these cookie cups?
Absolutely! Once you’ve filled the cookie cups with lemon curd. Allowed them to set place them on a baking sheet in a layer and let them freeze until they’re solid. After that transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag with parchment paper between layers. When you’re ready to enjoy them just let them thaw in the refrigerator or, at room temperature, and don’t forget to sprinkle some sugar before serving.
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Lemon Bar Cookie Cups Recipe
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 2¾ c. flour
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- ½ tsp. baking powder
- 1 c. butter softened
- 1¼ c. sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp. vanilla
Lemon Curd Filling:
- 6 tbsp. butter softened
- 1 c. sugar
- 4 eggs divided
- ⅔ c. lemon juice
Topping:
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp. powdered sugar for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a mini muffin tin.
- In a bowl combine 2¾ cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and ½ teaspoon of baking powder. Set this mixture aside.
- In a bowl cream together 1 cup of softened butter and 1¼ cups of sugar until it becomes fluffy.
- Beat in 1 egg. Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
- Gradually incorporate the ingredients into the mixture until they are well combined.
- Roll the dough into balls with a diameter of 1 inch and place them into the muffin tin.
- Bake, for around 8 to 10 minutes or until they turn golden brown in color.
- Using the backside of a spoon gently press down on the center of each cookie to create an indentation for filling. Allow them to cool down.
- For preparing the Lemon Curd Filling, cream 6 tablespoons of softened butter with 1 cup of sugar.
- Mix in two eggs along with the yolks from two other eggs until everything is thoroughly combined.
- Add in ⅔ cup of lemon juice. Continue mixing until well combined.
- Pour this filling mixture into a saucepan placed over medium heat on your stove burner.
- Whisk constantly for five minutes. Until it becomes smooth and thickened.
- Remove, from heat. Let it cool for around two to three minutes before use.
- Carefully spoon one of lemon curd into each cookie indentation you created earlier with the backside of your spoon.
- Top off these cookie cups with some lemon zest obtained from one lemon. Then refrigerate them for thirty minutes. Until the lemon curd sets properly.
- Take the cookie cups out of the pan using a butter knife and dust them with sugar before serving.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
