Description

Creamy Lemon Sugar Cookie Cups combine soft, buttery sugar cookie shells with a luscious, tangy lemon cream filling. These delightful treats perfectly balance zesty lemon brightness and sweet comfort, making them ideal for parties, afternoon tea, or whenever you crave a fresh, creamy dessert. Easy to prepare and customizable, this recipe is sure to become a favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free)
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened (or vegan butter alternative)
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 large egg (or flax egg for vegan)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Lemon Cream Filling

8 oz cream cheese, softened (or vegan cream cheese alternative)
3/4 cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Instructions

Prepare the Dough: In a bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and lemon zest, mixing well to combine. Gradually add the flour and mix until a smooth dough forms. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
Shape the Cookie Cups: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll small balls of dough and gently press each into the cups of a mini muffin tin, forming little cups with a slight well in the center for filling. Chill the shaped dough cups in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to help them hold their shape during baking.
Bake the Cookie Shells: Bake the chilled cookie cups for 12-15 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely in the pan before carefully removing to avoid breaking.
Make the Lemon Cream Filling: While the cookie cups bake and cool, beat softened cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy. Slowly add the fresh lemon juice, beating until fully combined to create a creamy, tangy lemon filling.
Assemble the Cups: Once the cookie cups are completely cool, spoon or pipe the lemon cream filling generously into each cup. Optionally, garnish with a twist of lemon zest or fresh berries for added flair.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth mixing and consistent dough texture.
Chilling the dough cups before baking helps them retain their shape and prevents spreading.
Fresh lemon zest and juice are essential for bright, authentic citrus flavor.
Do not overfill the cookie cups to avoid overwhelming the delicate shells.
Piping the filling creates a neater appearance and controls portion size.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie cup
Calories: 120
Sugar: 9g
Sodium: 55mg
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 15g
Fiber: 0.3g
Protein: 1.5g
Cholesterol: 25mg

Keywords: lemon dessert, sugar cookies, lemon cream filling, mini cookie cups, easy dessert, party dessert, tangy lemon, creamy filling, gluten-free dessert