Monday, September 27, 2010

Epicure: Lemon Sandwich Cookies

I am a fan of most things lemon. Lemon cake, lemonade, even lemon pancakes. So when I spotted these pretty little lemon sandwich cookies on Martha Stewart's site, I immediately added them to the recipe rolodex.


They were extremely easy to make, however a bit time consuming [the cookie dough has to chill for about an hour]. These heavenly cookies were the perfect marriage of lemony-buttery goodness with a kick of sophistication. You can make these as regular lemon cookies, or your can add a generous dollop of sweet, creamy lemon filling for sandwich cookies. - If you're one for hosting dinner parties, double the recipe; these make divine after-dinner delectables! 


Lemon Sandwich Cookies [adapted from Martha Stewart]
Ingredients:
16 tablespoons (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for rolling
2 tablespoons granulated sugar, for sprinkling

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl using an electric mixer on high speed, beat butter, confectioners' sugar, lemon zest, and salt until combined. With mixer on low, add flour (dough will still be stiff); finish mixing with a wooden spoon.
2. Turn dough out onto a piece of plastic wrap, pat into a disk about 1/2 inch thick. Wrap, and chill until firm, about 1 hour (and up to 3 days).
3. Unwrap dough; place on a lightly floured piece of parchment or waxed paper. With a lightly floured rolling pin, roll dough about 1/8 inch thick (if dough cracks, let it warm up slightly).
4. Cut out cookies with a 1 1/2-inch round cutter (reroll scraps once, chilling of too soft). Place 1 inch apart on two baking sheets; sprinkle with granulated sugar. Bake until barely beginning to brown, 15 to 20 minutes; transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
5. Form sandwiches: Place about 1 teaspoon creamy lemon filling between two cookies, sugared sides facing out; squeeze gently.
Creamy Lemon Filling
Ingredients:
1 package (4 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
1 to 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
Directions:
In a small bowl, mix cream cheese and zest until smooth. Gradually add 1 cup confectioners' sugar, mixing until smooth. Mix in remaining sugar as necessary to create a firm but spreadable filling.



Follow MTM on Twitter | Add MTM on Bloglovin' | Like MTM on Facebook

21 comments:

  1. What baking tools do you have in your arsenal? I think I'm lacking basics (i.e. cookie cutters), but I know some ppl are able to get the task done with next to nothing. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  2. My mouth is watering as i type.....I want some...but to lazy to make them..hahaha

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ummmm Yummy! Looks so good!!! You are so domestic and creative...I'll bet your family is so spoiled! lol

    ReplyDelete
  4. Not a lemony person when it comes to my sweets but these seem nice!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love lemon everything, those look great! Do you ship, lol? Check me out at www.msmadeulook.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ummmm...let me just say that I made "your" chocolate chip cookies tonight but i substituted the cranberries with dried cherries, and all i can say is YUM-O! I could eat the cookie dough by itself. Keep em coming sis<3

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yummy!!!

    Nikole, just curious: For whom do you prepare all of the delicious food?

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm going to make those this weekend! They look so good...

    ReplyDelete
  9. These sound devine. About how many cookies did this recipe make?

    Winona

    ReplyDelete
  10. These look yummy! Gotta have some on a Sunday afternoon!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oooo... These look so good. And just in time for my no sweets challenge! Ahhh!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I can't wait to try these! I love baking also! I just made some marble cupcakes this past weekend and I got them from the Martha Stewart Cupcake cookbook!

    ReplyDelete
  13. @Deys; A better question would be what baking tools don't I have...lol I have Silpat Baking Sheets, Bundt Pans, Cupcake Pans, Ramekin jars, biscuit cutters, cookie cutters, rolling pins, thermometer, parchment paper, cooling rack, sifter, torch, pie and tart pans..I would say that covers the essentials.

    @Nita; Please make these! They are so buttery and sweet!

    @Stella B. Thank you! They are a bit spoiled! They went from graciously accepting my treats to throwing me demands! LOL

    @Hell Notes for Beauty™ I think you would like these *keeping fingers crossed* It's a faint lemon taste, you know it's there but it isn't overpowering like most lemon treats.

    @Abbie; I will definitely check you out! I ship for special occasions...lol

    @Patrice-The Soap Seduction; Yay! I am glad they turned out well! I love the addition of the dried cherries! That sounds delish!

    @teachermrw.com; loll I make them for friends and family! In the next few weeks I will start dropping some off at local shelters, senior homes etc, as I plan to do more baking. There's no way we can eat like this every week.

    @www.majormusthaves.com; Thank you! Please do! They are absolutely delicious!

    @Anonymous; Thank you! The recipe yields about 12 sandwich cookies.

    @Sherita; Yes! They make the perfect mid-day snack! Pair it with a cup of tea for the ultimate utopia!

    @Anonymous; Aghhh! :-/

    @ccall10; Yum! I love Martha Stewart; I have that book as well, how are you enjoying the recipe's so far?

    @Veronica W. They were delish! Pretty easy to make too, you should give em a try!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I gasped when I saw those cookies. They look so good. Baking is one thing, but to make it look good is another. You're a pro!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Yum! I'm ready to come over and eat these.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Delicious be.
    http://itsbellatime.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Just wanted to tell you how inspired I was by the simple ingredient list to make these cookies, but didn't have a lemon on hand and didn't want to make a grocery run so I substituted 1/2 cup of cocoa powder and used 1/4 cup less of flour, they came out pretty good, almost tasted like oreos, especially with the cream filling. I didn't have cream cheese so I just used vegetable shortening and powdered sugar with a few tablespoons of milk. This is such a simple but great "base" recipe for cream filled cookie sandwhiches, I've even been thinking of making them with a peanut or almond butter twist too!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I made these this past weekend, omgoodness, they are soooo good!!! I didn't have actual lemons so I put lemon juice in the cookie mixture as well as the filling... My whole fam loved them :) Thanks!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. My BF LOVES lemon cookies, these look devine. I will be attempting to make these for him this weekend! Thanks for the post..
    besos,lynn

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts with Thumbnails