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Delicious Lemon Bar Cookie Cups filled with lemon curd in a mini cookie crust

Lemon Bar Cookie Cups

These bite-size Lemon Bar Cookie Cups offer a bright and tangy flavor, perfect for any occasion, delivering the classic lemon bar taste in a handheld design.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 12 cookie cups
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Baked Goods
Calories: 150
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cookie Cup Base
  • 1 cup softened butter
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder or cornstarch Depending on preference for filling consistency
Lemon Filling
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice Fresh is preferred
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
Toppings
  • as needed powdered sugar Sifted, for dusting
  • as needed lemon curd Optional; store-bought or homemade

Method
 

Prepare the Cookie Cups
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a standard muffin pan.
  2. Cream the softened butter and sugar until fluffy and lighter in color.
  3. Mix in the egg and a splash of vanilla.
  4. Stir in the flour, salt, and baking powder or cornstarch until a soft dough forms.
  5. Scoop the dough into the muffin cups and press it up the sides to form little wells.
  6. Bake the cups until just lightly golden, then press the centers down while warm to maintain the cup shape.
Prepare the Lemon Filling
  1. Whisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and thickener until well combined.
  2. Pour the lemon filling into each cookie cup and bake again until the filling looks set but still slightly jiggly in the middle.
Cooling and Serving
  1. Cool completely before topping with powdered sugar and lemon curd.
  2. Chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Notes

Tips: Do not overbake the filling; press the cookie cups again after baking; zest lemons before juicing. Allow the cups to cool fully before removing them from the pan.