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Home » Desserts » Cookies & Bars » Lemon Thumbprint Cookies

Lemon Thumbprint Cookies

Last Updated November 15, 2019. Published November 14, 2019 By Rosemary 27 Comments

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Lemon Thumbprint Cookies are the perfect addition to your Christmas Cookie Recipe to do list. Fast, easy and really delicious especially with an Italian Pastry Cream Filling.

lemon thumbprint cookies on a wire rack with lemon slices

When I went to visit friends, back in Canada, actually they are more than friends, they are really my second family. I was given a box of old recipes that my friend’s mother had.

After looking through the box for the good part of the day, I discovered some wonderful new recipes which were from the Winnipeg Free Press, by Alison Gillmor (Recipe Swap), 12 days of Christmas Cookies, December 13, 2014.

These Lemon Thumbprint Cookies were one of them. I changed it up a little bit, and I have to tell you they were delicious.

I decided to fill the centres with my Creamy Italian Pastry Cream and it was the perfect combination.

What other fillings can be used?

Of course I am partial to my Italian Pastry cream,  but if you have a favourite lemon curd recipe, or even a simple Buttercream or what about filling them with a Lemon Cheesecake Filling?

lemon thumbprint cookies filled with cream on a wire rack

How to make Lemon Cheesecake Filling

In a medium bowl beat 1/4 cup butter and 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon whole fat cream cheese until creamy approximately one minute. Add 2 1/2 cups of icing sugar a little at a time, continue beating then add a pinch of salt and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and beat until combined.

I actually was going to freeze these cookies too, like I do with the Christmas Cookies I always make in the couple of months before Christmas. But they were such a big hit they were gone in a day.

My mother used to make a Thumbprint Cookie, but she would fill them with Jam, which I was not that crazy about. I liked the cookie part but the Jam didn’t thrill me.

After tasting these cookies I totally understand why my friend’s mother cut out the recipe and never got rid of it. These will certainly become a Christmas Cookie tradition in our home.

lemon thumbprint cookies filled with cream on a wire rack

How to make Thumbprint Cookies

  • In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, zest and salt.
  • In the bowl of your standup mixer beat at medium speed the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 2 minutes.
  • Then add the egg yolks and vanilla, and beat until just combined.

whisking the dry ingredients in a white bowl and creaming the butter & sugar

  • Stir in the flour mixture with a wooden spoon until almost combined.

mixing the flour mixture into the creamed eggs and butter

  • Then form the dough into a smooth ball.

forming ingredients into a ball

  • Roll into approximate 1 inch balls.
  • Place the egg whites in a small bowl and finely chopped almonds in another bowl.
  • First roll the cookie balls in egg whites and then in the almonds, place them on the prepared cookie sheets.
  • Gently make an indentation with your thumb or the end of a wooden spoon in every ball.

dip in egg whites and nuts and make an indentation

  • Bake for approximately 15 minutes, at the halfway point check to see if the centres have puffed up, if yes, then using the end of a wooden spoon gently indent again.
  • Remove the pan from the oven when done and indent again with wooden spoon if needed.
  • Remove the cookies and cool on a wire rack.

baked lemon thumbprint cookies on a wire rack

  • When completely cool fill with Italian Pastry Cream or your favourite filling.

What can I substitute for the almonds?

If you don’t like almonds then you could substitute with finely chopped walnuts, hazelnuts or even Pecans. Or just eliminate them entirely. I have heard of using chopped pretzels, coconut or even wheat germ (as a couple of readers suggested).

How to store the cookies

The cookies should be stored in an airtight container. If they have been filled with cream then they must be refrigerated. Unfilled they can be kept at room temperature or the fridge for 5-6 days.

Lemon Thumbprint Cookies

lemon thumbprint cookie dusted with powdered sugar

How to freeze the cookies

The cookies are best frozen without the filling. Place them in a freezer safe container or bag and the cookies will keep for up to three months. Fill them just before serving.

More Delicious Lemon Recipes

Tablespoon Italian Lemon Cake

Italian Lemon Crostata

Best Homemade Lemon Bread

If you are looking for a Thumbprint Cookie Recipe to bake this Holiday Season, then I hope you give these Lemon Thumbprint Cookies a try and of course let me know what you think. Enjoy!

up close lemon thumbprint cookie on a black board

lemon thumbprint cookies filled with cream on a wire rack

Lemon Thumbprint Cookies

Rosemary Molloy
Fast, easy and really delicious especially with an Italian Pastry Cream Filling.
4.67 from 9 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 35 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American/Italian
Servings 30 cookies
Calories 99 kcal

Equipment

  • 1-2 cookie sheets

Ingredients
 
 

LEMON THUMBPRINT COOKIE DOUGH

  • 3/4 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs separated
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
  • 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 pinch salt*
  • 3/4 -1 cup finely chopped almonds

*If using unsalted butter then add 1/4 teaspoon of salt.

    Instructions
     

    • Pre-heat oven to 350° (180° celsius). Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
    • In a medium bowl whisk together, the flour, zest and salt, set aside.
      In a large bowl beat at medium speed the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 2 minutes, then add the egg yolks and vanilla, beat until just combined. Stir in the flour mixture with a wooden spoon or mix on low speed just until combined. Move to a flat surface and form into a compact smooth dough.
    • Remove pieces of dough and roll into (approximate) 1 inch (2cm) balls.
    • Place egg whites in a small bowl and the finely chopped almonds in another bowl. First roll balls in egg whites and then in the almonds, place them on prepared cookie sheets about one inch apart. Gently make an indentation with your thumb or the bottom of a wooden spoon in every ball. Bake for approximately 15 minutes, at the halfway point check to see if the centres have puffed up, if yes, then using the end of a wooden spoon gently indent again. Remove from oven when done and indent again with wooden spoon if needed.
    • Remove to cool on a wire rack. When cool fill with Italian Pastry Cream or your favourite filling. Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 99kcal
    Keyword lemon thumbprint cookies, Thumbprint Cookies
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Updated from October 2016.

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      Filed Under: Christmas, Christmas Cookies, Cookies & Bars, Desserts, fruit, Most Posts

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      1. Valerie Tedechi says

        November 14, 2020 at 1:43 pm

        My husband’s mother apparently baked cookies with sesame seeds on the outside. Do you know of such an Italian cookie?

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          November 14, 2020 at 7:09 pm

          Hi Valerie, yes they are called biscotti al sesamo and originally from Sicily. I don’t have a recipe for them, but I will look into it. 🙂

          Reply
      2. Christine Bonser says

        November 14, 2019 at 8:38 pm

        Are these made with plain flour or self raising?

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          November 14, 2019 at 9:12 pm

          Hi Christine, these are made with all purpose or plain flour. Let me know if you try them.

          Reply
      3. Lynn says

        November 3, 2019 at 10:47 pm

        I am looking for a lemon dainties cookie with a lemon filling

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          November 4, 2019 at 12:51 am

          Hi Lynn do you mean Lemon Squares, if yes here is a link https://anitalianinmykitchen.com/lemon-squares/. Hope that helps.

          Reply
      4. Doris says

        October 18, 2019 at 7:39 pm

        THANKS FOR YOUR GOOD RECIPE I LIKE THEM ALL

        Reply
      5. Angelica says

        August 12, 2019 at 5:43 pm

        5 stars
        Great cookies. When I noticed I only had 1/2 cup chopped almonds I chopped pecans instead. This was also nice with lemoncurd filling. Rolling balls was a bit hard because temperature in the kitchen was high and hands were warm.

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          August 12, 2019 at 5:56 pm

          Hi Angelica, so glad you liked them. Yes I hate baking in the summer here, everything melts! Have a great week.

          Reply
      6. MARY says

        January 14, 2019 at 4:58 pm

        NEED RECIPE FOR ITALIAN PASTRY CREAM FILLING

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          January 14, 2019 at 6:50 pm

          Hi Mary, click on the where it’s written Italian Pastry Cream, I actually link it up 2x. Once in the post and once in the recipe card. Hope that helps. 🙂

          Reply
      7. Andrea says

        December 14, 2018 at 7:21 pm

        I just made these not to long ago and I ran out of almonds.. So I rolled them in coconut! Delish!

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          December 14, 2018 at 11:10 pm

          Hi Andrea, great idea. So glad you enjoyed them.

          Reply
      8. Lisa Knaack says

        March 25, 2017 at 3:20 pm

        5 stars
        This cookie is now a new favorite of friends and family. I filled the cookie with lemon curd and paired perfectly with your delicate flavors and textures. Thank you very much and I look forward to trying more if your recipes

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          March 25, 2017 at 3:36 pm

          Hi Lisa, so glad you enjoyed it. Have a great weekend.

          Reply
      9. Kathleen M Denne says

        December 22, 2016 at 11:57 pm

        I have a granddaughter who will not eat nuts and one who cannot eat nuts. I substitute wheat germ for nuts in many recipes.

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          December 23, 2016 at 7:56 am

          Thanks Kathleen, what a great idea. Have a wonderful Christmas.

          Reply
      10. Alex says

        November 15, 2016 at 10:07 pm

        These look amazing! I can’t wait to try the recipe – thank you for sharing 🙂 I was wondering, do you have a suggestion for an alternative to the almonds? I have friends who are allergic to tree nuts! Thanks in advance.

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          November 16, 2016 at 6:43 pm

          Hi Alex, thanks so much, to tell the truth I would just bake them without the nuts, but thanks for the question because you gave me the idea for a new cookie, check back in a few days! 🙂

          Reply
      11. LeeAnn Miceli says

        November 6, 2016 at 6:29 pm

        5 stars
        Hello Rosemary, These will make a great addition to my Christmas cookie list! Can these be frozen with the fillong? And do they need to be refrigerated after baking? Thanks so much for a great recipe!

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          November 6, 2016 at 7:29 pm

          Hi LeeAnn thank you. No they shouldn’t be frozen with the filling, I fill them before serving. After they are baked just let them cool and then you can freeze them. Hope that helps.

          Reply
      12. olivia says

        October 31, 2016 at 5:23 pm

        I love your lemon version of thumbprint cookies! They sound (and look) delicious. Perfect for the holidays!

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          November 3, 2016 at 5:40 pm

          Hi Olivia, thanks so much, I love holiday cookies! Have a great weekend.

          Reply

      Hi, I'm Rosemary.

      Living in Italy I learned to cook authentic Italian dishes using whole ingredients, fresh veggies and delicious spices. So take a seat and have a taste! Read More

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