Description
These Mouthwatering Lemon Bar Cookie Cups combine a buttery, tender cookie shell with a tangy lemon filling, creating a delightful handheld dessert perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookie Cups
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Lemon Filling
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
For Garnish
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Whipped cream (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a standard 12-cup muffin pan to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of cookie cups.
- Make the Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually combine the dry ingredients with the wet mixture until a dough forms.
- Shape the Cookie Cups: Roll the dough into 12 equal balls. Press each ball into the bottom and sides of the muffin cups to evenly create a shell shape that will hold the lemon filling.
- Bake the Shells: Bake these cookie shells for 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven to prepare for filling.
- Prepare the Lemon Filling: While the cookie shells bake, whisk together granulated sugar, eggs, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and flour until the filling is smooth and well combined.
- Fill and Bake: Pour the lemon filling into the warm cookie cups, filling each about three-quarters full. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the filling is set and slightly firm to the touch.
- Cool and Garnish: Allow the cookie cups to cool completely in the muffin pan to maintain their shape. Once cooled, carefully remove them, dust with powdered sugar, and optionally top with whipped cream before serving.
Notes
- If the dough feels too soft to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for 20 minutes before shaping to make it easier to work with.
- For an extra tart lemon flavor, increase the amount of lemon zest in the filling.
- Store the cookie cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 95 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
