Lemon is one of my all-time favorite flavors! Add lemon to a cookie and I am over the moon excited. Lemon curd is especially awesome because it isn’t overwhelmingly sweet. Being able to use a good quality store bought lemon curd makes this recipe not only taste amazing but also makes it super simple to put together. Using a cake mix for the cookie gives it both great flavor and helps keep the Lemon Curd Thumbprint Cookies super soft for days. You don’t want to miss this one!
Do you love lemon cookies? Try these Lemon Poppy Seed Texas Sheet Cake Cookies Recipe!
The Best Lemon Thumbprint Cookies
Thumbprint Cookies are amazing because you get a cookie and a great filling in one bite. It is kind of like a pie but in a cookie form which is extra awesome.
These Lemon Thumbprint Cookies start with a fabulous cake mix cookie and end with the perfect amount of lemon curd. A sprinkle of powdered sugar give these Lemon Curd Cookies a bit of added sweetness. The powdered sugar also gives them a gorgeous finish that is elegant but also simple which I love.
These thumbprint cookies are the perfect recipe for any occasion and truly the BEST Easy Lemon Thumbprint Cookies I have ever tasted. You need this recipe!
Ingredients Needed
- Vanilla Cake Mix-The perfect place to start to get this super soft and delicious cake mix cookie. You should also try these Mardi Gras Cookies!!
- Cream Cheese-Added to keep these cake mix cookies moist for days and give them a great not too sweet flavor.
- Butter-The perfect fat to use in any cookie recipe but especially great in this one because it works great with the cream cheese.
- Egg-Added to help bind the ingredients and give the cookies a nice light texture.
- Lemon Curd-A good quality store bought lemon curd is used to give you a fabulous Lemon Curd Cookie in minutes.
- Powdered Sugar-The perfect finishing touch to these already awesome cookies.
How to make Lemon Curd Thumbprint Cookies with a Cake Mix
- Combine the softened cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl. Mix using a hand held {or stand} mixer until creamy and smooth.
- Add cake mix and egg to the cream cheese mixture.
- Mix until everything is totally combined and you have a thick and slightly sticky dough.
- Use a medium cookie scoop and scoop mounds of dough into your hand. If the dough is too sticky, flour your hands and roll the dough into a smooth ball. Place the cookie dough mounds onto a silicone mat {or parchment} lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes. Remove from the oven and make an indentation in the middle of each cookie using your thumb or a tart shaper.
- Then take about a teaspoon of lemon curd and fill the middle of each cookie while the cookies are still warm.
Finishing Thumbprint Cookies with Powdered Sugar
There are a few things you can do to put the finishing touch on any thumbprint cookie. A drizzle of glaze or melted chocolate is always a good idea but my favorite is a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
This simple way of doing the final element of these amazing cookies gives them a super sophisticated look without any extra effort or skill.
Tip for the BEST Cake Mix Thumbprint Cookies with Lemon Curd
- Don’t over bake the thumbprint cookies. Over baking cake mix cookies is a matter of just a minute or two so be sure to watch them closely and pull the cookies as soon as they are set up.
- Make the indentation in the middle of the cookie after baking. If we make the indentation before the cookie bakes then it will bake right back into the cookie. So wait and use your thumb, a wooden spoon handle or a tart shaper to get the perfect shape.
- Add the lemon curd to the cookie after baking and while the cookie is still warm. Adding the lemon curd before the cookies are baked will change the texture of the curd. Adding the curd while the cookie is still warm, also warms the curd and smooths it out into a nice puddle in the middle of the cookie.
- Don’t overfill the lemon thumbprint cookies with curd. If you overfill the cookies then the curd will spill out and make a sticky mess. Add just enough to fill it up to the sides but not overflow.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do Lemon Curd Cookies need to be refrigerated?
Lemon Curd Cookies should be refrigerated after they have cooled because the lemon curd needs to be refrigerated. Storing the Lemon Thumbprint Cake Mix Cookies in the refrigerator will also keep them fresh for days.
Can you bake Thumbprint Lemon Curd Cookies ahead of time?
Thumbprint Lemon Curd Cookies can easily be made a day or two ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator. They stay fresh for a few days easily.
They can also be frozen for up to 2 months if you prefer to make them more than a couple of days in advance. I suggest baking them and making the indentation then freezing the cookies and adding the lemon curd after defrosting the cookies. Although they can be frozen with the lemon curd too.
Can I make homemade lemon filling?
Absolutely! If you have a wonderful lemon filling recipe or lemon curd recipe then go ahead and use it. There is a good one with this Lemon Bar Cookie Cup recipe that you could use and would work wonderfully.
Does lemon curd need to be refrigerated after opening?
Yes, once lemon curd is opened it does need to be refrigerated. That is why it is important that you refrigerate the cookies after they are baked.
Do you love thumbprint cookies? Try these awesome recipes…
- Yellow Cake Mix Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
- Jam Thumbprint Shortbread Cookies
- Easy Cadbury Mini Egg Thumbprint Cookies Made with a Cake Mix
- Easy Peanut Butter Blossom Cookie Recipe with a Cake Mix
Easy Lemon Curd Thumbprint Cookie Recipe with a Cake Mix
Ingredients
- 1 box vanilla cake mix {15.25 ounces}
- 8 ounces cream cheese {softened}
- ½ cup butter {softened}
- 1 egg
- 1 cup lemon curd
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°.
- Combine the softened cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl. Mix using a hand held {or stand} mixer until creamy and smooth.
- Add cake mix and egg to the cream cheese mixture. Mix until everything is totally combined and you have a thick and slightly sticky dough.
- Use a medium cookie scoop and scoop mounds of dough into your hand. If the dough is too sticky, flour your hands and roll the dough into a smooth ball. Place the cookie dough mounds onto a silicone mat {or parchment} lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes. Remove from the oven and make an indentation in the middle of each cookie using your thumb or a tart shaper. Then take about a teaspoon of lemon curd and fill the middle of each cookie while the cookies are still warm.
- Once the cookies are cool sprinkle the top of each cookie with powdered sugar.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
