Lemon puff cookies on white plate.
Cookies,  Recipes

Lemon Puff Cookies

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Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with a delightful twist on the classic cookie – Lemon Puff Cookies! These heavenly treats offer a perfect blend of a light, flaky cookie and the invigorating tang of fresh lemons.

Close up of lemon puff cookies on white plate.

Lemon Puff Cookies are as airy as a cloud, with a subtle crispness on the outside, giving way to a burst of zesty lemon goodness in the middle. Whether you’re an experienced baker looking to add a new favorite to your repertoire or a baking novice ready to embark on a flavorful adventure, this recipe is designed to deliver fantastic results that will leave you craving more. So, gather your ingredients, preheat that oven, and let’s dive into the delightful world of Lemon Puff Cookies!

Ingredients You Will Need

  • Flour
  • Powdered Sugar
  • Butter
  • Vanilla
  • Egg
  • Sugar
  • Lemon Rind
  • Cornstarch
  • Salt
  • Lemon Juice
  • Coconut
Ingredients for lemon puff cookies on counter.

Equipment You May Need

  • Measuring Cups and Spoons
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Mixer
  • Flour Sifter
  • Cookie Sheet
  • Mini Spatula
  • Cooling Rack
  • Saucepan
  • Wooden Spoon

Helpful Tips for Making Lemon Puff Cookies

  • A whisk can be used to sift the flour in place of a flour sifter.
  • To soften the butter, set it out at least an hour ahead of time. If that isn’t possible, try these tips to soften butter quickly.
  • Use a microplane zester or a box grater to zest the lemon. There are a few other ways to zest a lemon that might work better for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I substitute all-purpose flour with other types of flour? Yes, you can experiment with substitutes like whole wheat flour or gluten-free flour blends, but keep in mind that this might alter the texture and taste of the cookies. It’s a good idea to do a small test batch before making a larger batch.

What should the consistency of the cookie dough be like? The cookie dough should be relatively soft and pliable, but not overly sticky. If it’s too sticky, you can add a little more flour. However, the dough should not be too firm either, as this could result in dense cookies.

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much? Chilling the cookie dough before baking helps prevent excessive spreading. Refrigerating the dough for about 30 minutes to an hour before baking can help the cookies maintain their shape.

Can I freeze the dough for later use? Yes, you can freeze the dough for later use. Shape the dough into individual cookie portions and place them on a baking sheet. Freeze until solid, then transfer the portions to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, you can bake the frozen dough without thawing – just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

How do I know when the cookies are done baking? The cookies should be lightly golden around the edges and set in the center. Keep an eye on them as they bake, and it’s better to slightly underbake them than overbake, as they continue to firm up as they cool.

Lemon puff cookie dough on cookie sheet before going in the oven.
Dough ready to go in the oven.
Lemon puff cookies on cookie sheet without filling.
Cookies fresh from the oven before filling.

Variations and Substitutions

  • Replace lemon juice with lime juice and lemon zest with lime zest to make Lime Puff Cookies.
  • Omit coconut, if desired.
  • Replace lemon juice with orange juice and lemon zest with orange zest to make Orange Puff Cookies.

Other Recipes You May Enjoy

If you like lemons, you might also like my Fresh Squeezed Lemonade Recipe or my Easy Lemon Bars. If lime is more up your alley, you may like these Lime Cupcakes or these Key Lime Cookies. For a different flavor, try my Quick Oatmeal Cookies. If you love to eat raw cookie dough, you may like this Sugar Cookie Dough that’s safe to eat because it’s egg-free.

Final Thoughts

Lemon Puff Cookies are delicious and different. They will definitely be added to my regular baking rotation. My husband approved (and he’s not a lemon fan) so that’s a win for me. The kids loved them too so they were gone quite fast.

Lemon puff cookies on white plate.

Lemon Puff Cookies

Heidi Bruaw
Lemon Puff Cookies are light, with a subtle crispness on the outside, giving way to a burst of zesty lemon goodness in the middle.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Refrigeration Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 4 dozen

Ingredients
  

Cookie Base

  • 3⅓ Cups Flour sifted
  • Cup Powdered Sugar
  • 2 Cups Butter softened
  • 2 teaspoons Vanilla

Lemon Filling

  • 1 Egg beaten slightly
  • Cup Sugar
  • 3 teaspoons Lemon Rind grated
  • 1 teaspoon Corn Starch
  • ¼ teaspoon Salt
  • ¼ Cup Lemon Juice
  • 1 Tablespoon Butter

Topping

  • Shredded Coconut

Instructions
 

Cookie Base

  • Preheat oven to 350℉.
  • Combine flour and sugar in mixing bowl.
  • Add butter and vanilla.
  • Use mixer to blend well.
  • Refrigerate for about 30 minutes (just long enough to keep dough from spreading).
  • Shape dough into 1-inch balls.
  • Place on ungreased cookie sheet and press your thumb into the center of each cookie.
  • Bake at 350℉ for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned.
  • Cool on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes and then move to a cooling rack to complete cooling.

Lemon Filling

  • In a small saucepan, stir together slightly beaten egg, sugar, lemon rind, cornstarch, salt, lemon juice, and butter.
  • Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until clear and lightly thickened.
  • Cool slightly before spooning into cookies.
  • Place ¼-½ teaspoon on each cookie.

Topping

  • Sprinkle the filled cookies with shredded coconut.

Notes

  • A whisk can be used to sift the flour in place of a flour sifter.
  • To soften the butter, set it out at least an hour ahead of time. If that isn’t possible, try these tips to soften butter quickly.
  • Use a microplane zester or a box grater to zest the lemon. There are a few other ways to zest a lemon that might work better for you.
Keyword Lemon Puff Cookies

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