Description
These Lemon Bar Cookie Cups combine the tangy brightness of lemon bars with the convenience of bite-sized cookie cups. Featuring a buttery cookie base filled with a smooth, creamy lemon filling, they are perfect for dessert or any occasion that calls for a refreshing treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Base
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Lemon Filling
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
For Dusting
- Powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin to prevent sticking and make removal easier.
- Make the Dough: In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This ensures a tender cookie base.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Incorporate the all-purpose flour and salt into the creamed mixture. Mix until the dough comes together into a soft consistency suitable for shaping.
- Shape Cookie Cups: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Press each ball firmly into a muffin cup, forming small wells in the center to create cup shapes that will hold the filling.
- Bake the Bases: Bake the cookie cups for 10 to 12 minutes or until they turn lightly golden, indicating they are cooked through and will hold their shape.
- Prepare Lemon Filling: While cookie bases are baking, whisk together sweetened condensed milk, fresh lemon juice, egg yolks, and lemon zest until smooth and well combined, creating a tangy, creamy filling.
- Fill the Cups: Remove the lightly baked cookie cups from the oven. Press down the centers gently again if needed to maintain the cup shape. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the lemon filling into each cup.
- Bake with Filling: Return the filled cups to the oven and bake for an additional 10 to 12 minutes until the lemon filling is just set but still creamy.
- Cool and Dust: Allow the cookie cups to cool in the pan for 10 minutes for easier removal. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Before serving, dust with powdered sugar for an elegant finish.
Notes
- For a stronger lemon flavor, add a few drops of lemon extract to the filling mixture.
- Store finished cookie cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
