Lemon Curd Crème Brûlée Cookies Recipe
Lemon Curd Crème Brûlée Cookies combine the rich, creamy texture of classic crème brûlée with the bright, zesty flavor of lemon curd atop tender, buttery cookies. These delightful treats feature a crisp caramelized sugar crust that adds a perfect crunch, making them an ideal sweet snack for tea time or any special occasion.
- Author: luca
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Lemon Curd:
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2–3 lemons)
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cubed
For the Topping:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for caramelizing)
- Make the Lemon Curd: In a medium saucepan, whisk together lemon juice, lemon zest, sugar, and eggs until well combined. Place over medium heat, add cubed butter, and stir constantly until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat, strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove lumps, and let it cool to room temperature. Refrigerate until set.
- Prepare the Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, cream softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to form dough.
- Bake the Cookies: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop tablespoon-sized dough portions, roll into balls, and place them 2 inches apart on the sheet. Use your thumb to create a small indentation in the center of each cookie. Spoon a small amount of lemon curd into each indentation. Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet briefly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Caramelize the Sugar: Once cookies are fully cooled, sprinkle a thin, even layer of granulated sugar over each. Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar until it melts and forms a crisp crust. Alternatively, place them under a broiler for a few seconds, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve: Let the caramelized sugar harden for about a minute. Enjoy your delicious Lemon Curd Crème Brûlée Cookies as a delightful, sweet treat.
Notes
- You can prepare the lemon curd a day in advance and refrigerate it for convenience.
- Freeze uncaramelized cookies if needed; thaw and caramelize the sugar before serving.
- For variation, substitute lemon juice and zest with lime or orange for different citrus flavors.
- Add fresh herbs like thyme or basil into the lemon curd for a unique twist.
- Decorate with fresh berries or whipped cream for an extra special presentation.
- Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, but note caramelized sugar may lose crispness over time.
Keywords: Lemon Curd Cookies, Crème Brûlée Cookies, Lemon Dessert, Caramelized Sugar Cookies, Lemon Treats, Tea Time Cookies