Description
Lemon bar cookie cups blend zesty citrus magic with buttery shortbread perfection, creating a delightful dessert sensation. Sweet-tart filling nestled in crisp cookie shells promises a refreshing escape that delights senses and satisfies cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Cups Base:
- 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 ½ cups (313 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Lemon Filling:
- ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- 2 tablespoons (16 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Garnishes:
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
- Lemon zest or curls
Instructions
- Craft the cookie dough foundation by creaming butter and sugar until airy and pale, incorporating egg and vanilla for a smooth, rich base. Gently fold in dry ingredients, creating a tender, cohesive mixture that will form the delicate cookie vessel.
- Mold uniform dough balls and nestle them into a mini muffin tin, using fingertips to create elegant indentations that will cradle the tangy filling. Press edges carefully to ensure uniform shape and smooth surfaces.
- Bake the cookie shells in a preheated oven until edges transform into a delicate golden hue, approximately 10-12 minutes. Allow shells to rest and settle, maintaining their sculptured wells through gentle reshaping if needed.
- Construct the vibrant lemon filling by whisking eggs, sugar, citrus juice, and zest in a simmering saucepan. Stir continuously, allowing the mixture to thicken and develop a luxurious, glossy consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
- Once cookie shells have completely cooled, lovingly spoon the bright, zesty lemon curd into each delicate cup, filling to the brim with sunshine-colored goodness.
- Finish the cookie cups with a delicate snowfall of powdered sugar and optional sprinkle of fresh lemon zest, creating an elegant, tempting dessert that promises burst of citrusy delight.
Notes
- Adjust butter temperature by letting it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to ensure smooth, even mixing without overmixing.
- Create perfectly uniform cookie cups by using a small measuring spoon or cork to gently press consistent wells in the dough.
- Prevent lemon filling from curdling by maintaining medium heat and stirring continuously during cooking, removing from stove when mixture slightly thickens.
- Transform the recipe into a gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend for sensitive diets.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg