Lemon Cream Cookies

Ingredients

• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened, for cookies)
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest (about 1 large lemon)
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for cookies)
• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened, for filling)
• 1½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest (for filling)
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (for filling)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for filling)

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
4. Add Wet Ingredients: Add the egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat until everything is fully combined.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
6. Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each ball. Flatten the tops slightly with the bottom of a glass.
7. Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Prepare the Lemon Cream Filling: While the cookies are cooling, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract, beating until smooth and fluffy.
9. Assemble the Cookies: Once the cookies are completely cool, spread about 1 tablespoon of the lemon cream filling onto the flat side of one cookie. Top it with another cookie, flat side down, to create a sandwich. Repeat with the remaining cookies.