Ingredients
4 oz cold full-fat block cream cheese
2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for filling)
1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest (for filling)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar (for dough)
2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest (for dough)
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3/4 cup melted unsalted butter, slightly cooled
1 large egg
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
1-Make the cream cheese filling: Stir together cold cream cheese, sugar, and lemon zest until smooth, roll into teaspoon-sized balls, and freeze at least 30 minutes until solid.
2-Prepare the cookie dough: Rub lemon zest into sugar until fragrant, then whisk in melted butter, egg, egg yolk, lemon juice, and vanilla until smooth.
3-Mix the dry ingredients: Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt; add to wet mixture and fold just until combined.
4-Chill the dough: Cover and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes.
5-Assemble the cookies: Preheat oven to 350°F. Scoop 1½ tablespoons dough, flatten, place frozen filling in center, seal completely (pinch any cracks), roll in sugar, and place seam-side down on lined baking sheets.
6-Bake to perfection: Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are set; cool on baking sheet 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
❄️ Freeze the cream cheese balls for at least 30 minutes—they must be completely solid before wrapping in dough, or the filling will leak during baking.
🍋 Rub the lemon zest into the sugar with your fingers until damp and fragrant—this releases the citrus oils for an incredibly bright flavor.
🧊 Chill the assembled cookie dough thoroughly before baking to prevent spreading and ensure thick, soft cookies with lightly golden edges.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Chill & Freeze Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 175
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 105mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg