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Soft and Chewy Lemon Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting First Image

Lemon Sandwich Cookies


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  • Author: Chef John
  • Total Time: 2 hours 41 minutes
  • Yield: 24 cookies 1x
  • Diet: vegetarian

Description

These lemon sandwich cookies are soft, chewy, and filled with a creamy lemon frosting, perfect for any lemon lover!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup Plugrà unsalted butter (softened)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp light brown sugar (packed)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1½ tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp lemon zest (packed, about 2 large lemons)
  • ½ tsp lemon extract
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1½ tbsp cornstarch
  • ¾ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
  • 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
  • ¼ cup Plugrà unsalted butter (softened)
  • 1½ cups powdered sugar (sifted)
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • ¼ tsp lemon extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer rub the sugar with the lemon zest using your fingers to release the oils.
  3. In the same bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the Plugrà butter, lemon granulated sugar mixture, and brown sugar on medium-high for 3 to 4 minutes until light and fluffy.
  4. Add the egg and egg yolk one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, lemon extract, and vanilla extract. Mix until combined. Slight curdling is normal.
  5. Add the dry ingredients and mix on low just until the flour disappears. Do not overmix.
  6. Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
  7. Preheat the oven to 325°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  8. Scoop 1 tablespoon dough balls, roll smooth between your palms, then roll in the plain granulated sugar. Place 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
  9. Bake for 10 to 11 minutes, until the edges are just set and the centers look slightly underdone.
  10. If any cookies spread more than you’d like, place a round cookie cutter, the rim of a mug, or a small bowl over each cookie right out of the oven and gently swirl it in a circle.
  11. Cool on the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before filling.
  12. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and Plugrà butter together on medium-high for 2 minutes until smooth and fluffy.
  13. Add the powdered sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, lemon extract, and salt. Mix on low to combine, then beat on medium-high for 1 minute until light and creamy.
  14. If the frosting is too soft to hold its shape, refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes before filling the cookies.
  15. Pair up the cooled cookies by matching similar sizes.
  16. Pipe or spread about 1 tablespoon of frosting onto the flat bottom of one cookie, then top with a second cookie, flat side down, pressing gently to spread the frosting just to the edges.
  17. Serve immediately or refrigerate in a single layer for up to 5 days.

Notes

  • For a firmer frosting, refrigerate it before spreading between cookies.
  • You may also use a cookie scoop to help evenly portion the dough.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 11 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: bake
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 10g
  • Sodium: 50mg
  • Fat: 8g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 20g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg