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Lemon Meringue Cookies

Soft, sweet cookies with a burst of lemony flavor and meringue topping
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time11 minutes
Total Time41 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cookies, lemon curd, lemon meringue, lemon meringue cookies
Servings: 18

Ingredients

  • ½ c butter softened
  • ½ c sugar plus ¼ c sugar divided - for rolling
  • 1 egg
  • 2 t lemon zest
  • ½ t salt
  • ½ t baking powder
  • 1 ½ c flour
  • ½ c lemon curd premade or store bought

For the meringue -

  • 2 egg whites
  • ½ c sugar
  • ¼ t vanilla

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line your baking pan(s) with parchment and set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the softened butter and sugar. Cream until smooth.
  • Add in the egg and lemon zest. Mix until combined.
  • Add in the salt, baking powder and flour and mix until thoroughly combined. Stop the mixer, scrape the sides and mix again.
  • Scoop out one tablespoon’s worth of dough, about the size of a ping pong ball and shape into a sphere. Place on your prepared baking sheets about 3 inches apart.
  • Using a rounded teaspoon, indent the center of each cookie to create a hole for the curd later on.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 14 minutes or until the bottoms are just slightly golden brown. Allow to cool completely before filling.
  • Place your prepared lemon curd in a piping bag for easier filling. Set aside.
  • When ready to assemble, make the meringue.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine about 1 tablespoon of sugar with the egg whites and vanilla.
  • Whip on medium speed for about a minute or two, until soft peaks.
  • Gradually add in the remaining sugar in small increments.
  • Continue to whip for a few more minutes or until stiff peaks form. Do not overwhip as it will begin to deflate.
  • Transfer the meringue to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
  • To assemble - Pipe a small dollop of lemon curd in the center indent of each cookie. Pipe a small mound of meringue toward the side of the curd where it can adhere to the cookie.
  • To toast the meringue - you can use a kitchen torch to quickly toast the meringue or transfer the cookies to a baking sheet and set under the broiler setting on the oven for just a minute or two. Rotate the pan to spread the heat evenly - watch carefully as the toasting happens very quickly once it starts to go.
  • Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.