These Lemon Sandwich Cookies are everything a spring dessert should be — light, cheerful, and bursting with flavor. Made with soft, chewy lemon-infused sugar cookies and a tangy cream cheese filling, they strike the perfect balance between sweet and tart. The zest and juice of fresh lemon bring out a brightness that complements the creamy richness of the filling.
Ideal for sharing with friends, neighbors, or as a standout treat at a spring gathering, these cookies not only taste like sunshine but look the part too, thanks to a sprinkle of sparkling sugar. They’re best enjoyed chilled from the fridge, where the flavors meld together in delicious harmony. This recipe is proof that simple ingredients, when combined with a bit of love and lemon, can create something truly memorable.
Full recipe:
Ingredients:
For the Cookies:
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10 Tablespoons butter
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3/4 cup white sugar
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1/4 cup brown sugar
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1 egg
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1 egg yolk
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1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
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1/2 teaspoon vanilla
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3/4 teaspoon lemon extract
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Zest of 1 lemon
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1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1 teaspoon baking powder
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Sanding sugar (for topping)
For the Filling:
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8 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
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4 Tablespoons butter, at room temperature
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1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
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Zest of 1 lemon
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2 – 3 teaspoons lemon juice (to taste)
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
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In a stand mixer, cream butter until fluffy. Add white and brown sugar, egg, and egg yolk. Beat until smooth.
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Mix in lemon juice, vanilla, lemon extract, and lemon zest.
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In a separate bowl, whisk flour, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture on low speed.
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Scoop heaping teaspoons of dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Flatten slightly and sprinkle with sanding sugar.
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Bake for 8–9 minutes, until set around edges but soft in the center. Let cool on pan briefly before transferring to wire rack.
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For the filling, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, beating slowly at first, then increase speed. Mix in lemon zest and juice to desired tartness.
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Once cookies are cool, spread or pipe filling on one cookie and sandwich with another.
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Store in refrigerator. Enjoy cold or at room temp.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 9 minutes | Total Time: 29 minutes Kcal: 225 kcal | Servings: 20 sandwich cookies
Why Lemon Sandwich Cookies Are the Perfect Spring Treat
There’s something about lemon that feels inherently fresh. It lifts the palate, enlivens desserts, and instantly reminds people of warmer days. That’s why lemon desserts are so popular in the springtime. These Lemon Sandwich Cookies, in particular, are more than just seasonally appropriate—they are ideal for everything from Easter tables to bridal showers, from Mother’s Day brunches to casual backyard barbecues.
But don’t be fooled by their polished look. These cookies may appear dainty and refined, but they’re delightfully easy to make and totally crowd-pleasing. They don’t rely on elaborate techniques or difficult-to-source ingredients. Instead, they use pantry staples elevated by the addition of citrus. The dough is quick to mix and scoop, and the frosting comes together in minutes.
Best of all, they’re just as versatile in form as they are in function. You can serve them as single sandwich cookies for individual desserts, pack them in tins for gifting, or arrange them on platters at events. They’re the kind of dessert that looks like it came from a bakery but was lovingly made in your own kitchen.
The Magic of Texture and Flavor
Texture is everything in cookies, and these deliver on all fronts. The edges are gently crisp thanks to a light dusting of sanding sugar, while the interior remains soft and chewy. This contrast is complemented by the creamy middle layer, offering just enough richness to feel indulgent without being heavy.
Flavor-wise, the cookies layer lemon in multiple ways to provide depth and brightness. The zest brings fragrant oils and sharp citrus perfume, while the juice adds natural acidity. The extract rounds everything out with a sweet lemon essence. Together, they create a cookie that is both bold and balanced—tangy without being sour, sweet without being cloying.
The cream cheese frosting mirrors this philosophy. Rather than being overly sweet like many buttercreams, it offers a more mellow profile with just enough sugar to highlight the creaminess. A touch of lemon juice and zest cuts through the richness, keeping things light and refreshing.
Best Ways to Serve and Store
One of the great things about Lemon Sandwich Cookies is that they taste even better after a few hours in the fridge. Chilling allows the flavors to deepen and the texture to set. The cookies absorb a bit of the moisture from the filling, becoming tender yet sturdy enough to hold their shape beautifully.
They’re perfect straight from the refrigerator—cool, creamy, and refreshing—but also hold up well at room temperature, making them suitable for parties and outdoor events. If you’re planning to serve them later, they can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container for a few days without sacrificing quality.
You may even find yourself with a bit of leftover lemon cream cheese filling, which is a bonus in its own right. It makes a delightful dip for fresh fruit (especially strawberries) or a spread for graham crackers and vanilla wafers. You can even use it as a quick topping for mini fruit tarts or cookies.
Perfect for Gifting and Entertaining
In a world where connection matters more than ever, a handmade dessert has the power to speak volumes. These Lemon Sandwich Cookies are ideal for sharing. Whether it’s a welcome gift for a new neighbor, a thoughtful addition to a care package, or a sweet surprise left on a friend’s doorstep, these cookies make an impression.
Their bright, cheerful appearance and crowd-pleasing flavor make them universally appealing. Even those who claim not to like lemon may find themselves reaching for a second (or third). The balance of tart and sweet, creamy and chewy, is addictive in the best way.
Plus, their durability means you can easily pack them for picnics, potlucks, bake sales, or holiday cookie trays. And let’s not forget how lovely they look on a dessert table—sparkling with sugar, layered with filling, and stacked high in tiers of golden lemon goodness.
Tips for Customizing
While the classic version of this recipe is hard to beat, there’s plenty of room to personalize these cookies to suit your preferences or occasion. For example, you can:
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Add a touch of honey or lavender to the filling for a floral twist.
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Incorporate white chocolate chips into the cookie dough for added sweetness.
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Replace the cream cheese filling with a lemon curd for a tarter bite.
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Tint the filling with natural food coloring to match event themes (like pastel pink for baby showers or bright yellow for Easter).
The possibilities are endless, and each tweak offers a new variation of this already irresistible treat.
The Joy of Baking and Sharing
These cookies are a reminder of why we bake—not just to satisfy a sweet tooth, but to create moments of joy, connection, and comfort. Whether it’s the aroma of fresh lemon wafting through the kitchen or the satisfaction of sandwiching two perfectly chewy cookies together, the act of baking these treats is almost as rewarding as eating them.
It’s about slowing down and savoring the process. About putting care into something and knowing it will bring a smile to someone’s face. It’s about community, generosity, and the small pleasures that can make a big difference.
Conclusion: A Cookie Worth Keeping
In a crowded world of cookie recipes, Lemon Sandwich Cookies manage to stand out—not just for their bright flavor, but for their thoughtfulness and versatility. They feel special yet approachable, refined yet fun. Whether you’re baking for yourself, your family, or your neighbors, this recipe delivers in every way that counts.
From the first zesty bite to the last creamy crumb, these cookies are a celebration of lemon, of spring, and of the joy that comes from sharing homemade treats. Keep them in your rotation for sunny days, celebrations, and quiet moments alike. Once you make them, they’re sure to become a favorite.