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Get ready to fall in love with these Keto Lemon Thumbprint Cookies (Gluten-Free), where buttery shortbread meets bright, tangy lemon curd for the perfect sugar-free treat! Made with almond flour and filled with homemade keto lemon curd, these tender little cookies pack all the sunny citrus flavor you're craving with just 2 net carbs each. Whether you're hosting afternoon tea or just need a sweet, lemony pick-me-up, these easy-to-make cookies will have everyone asking for seconds!
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In This Post
Why You'll Love These Keto Lemon Thumbprint Cookies
- Perfect Small-Batch Spring Treat: These delicate almond flour cookies yield exactly 12 perfectly portioned treats, ideal for satisfying your sweet tooth without tempting leftovers. Each tender cookie delivers the perfect balance of buttery shortbread and bright lemon curd, all while keeping carbs in check at just 2 net carbs each!
- Quick and Simple to Make: No complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients here! With just 7 basic keto pantry staples and about 20 minutes, you can create these impressive-looking cookies that taste like they came from a fancy bakery. The foolproof dough comes together easily, and the quick sugar-free lemon curd filling makes these cookies a breeze to prepare.
- Versatile and Make-Ahead Friendly: Whether you're planning Easter dessert, hosting afternoon tea, or just craving something sweet and lemony, these gluten-free thumbprint cookies fit the bill perfectly. Make the lemon curd and cookie dough ahead of time, then assemble when ready to serve. They're elegant enough for special occasions but simple enough for everyday treats!
Keto Lemon Thumbprint Cookies (Gluten-Free): A Taste of Sunshine in Every Bite! 🍋
As we hit the end of February, my thoughts turn to springtime and all things lemony and bright! Maybe it's my wishful thinking trying to hurry the warm weather along (I'm so over being cold and wet!), or maybe it's the excitement about my new raised bed garden project. The Mr is building my beds soon, and I've got my grow lights, heating pads, and approximately eleventy-billion seed packets ready to transform my office corner into a mini greenhouse!
But honestly? I think it's just that nothing says springtime quite like bright, tangy lemon treats. These keto lemon thumbprint cookies were born from that spring fever, transforming my popular keto chocolate thumbprint Christmas cookies into something fresh and sunny. Made with almond flour and filled with my quick sugar-free lemon curd, they're the perfect gluten-free spring or Easter treat!
Don't you think lemon just tastes like sunshine? Call me weird, but no matter what the weather's doing outside, one bite of these tender, buttery cookies with their tangy lemon curd centers makes everything feel bright and sunny inside. That's just how I roll! 😊
And let me tell you, between how easy the sugar-free lemon curd is to make and how quickly these keto lemon thumbprint cookies come together. There's absolutely no reason not to whip up a batch... or three! The only downside? They're so incredibly good you might find yourself wanting to hoard them all for yourself. Trust me, I've been tempted!
But if you've got more willpower than I do (and honestly, who doesn't?), grab those keto-friendly ingredients and get baking! These are a quintessential spring dessert that'll make everyone smile - whether they're following a low-carb lifestyle or not. And when everyone's smiling? This girl is very happy indeed!
🍽️✨ Don't forget to share your delightful creations with us on Instagram using #BobbisKozyKitchen for a chance to be featured in our newsletter! 📸
🥘Keto Lemon Thumbprint Cookies Ingredient Notes
Here, I explain the best ingredients for my Keto Lemon Thumbprint Cookies recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For the exact measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Quick Microwave Low-Carb Lemon Curd: This creates the perfect tangy, creamy center for these cookies. Substitution: Store-bought sugar-free lemon curd can be used if you can find it, but homemade tastes so much better!
- Wholesome Yum Superfine Almond Flour: Provides the perfect tender, shortbread-like texture for our cookies. Substitution: Other brands of superfine blanched almond flour work well, but avoid almond meal as it will make cookies grainy.
- Besti Brown Monk Fruit Sweetener: Adds sweetness and a subtle warmth to the cookie base. Substitution: Any brown sugar substitute will work, though flavors may vary slightly.
- Xanthan Gum: Helps bind the cookies and create the perfect texture since we're not using regular flour. Substitution: No direct substitution; it's essential for the proper cookie texture.
- Pink Sea Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness. Substitution: Regular sea salt works perfectly fine.
- Unsalted Grass-Fed Butter: Creates that rich, buttery shortbread flavor and texture. Substitution: Regular unsalted butter works well too. Must be softened for proper mixing.
- Madagascar Pure Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the cookie base. Substitution: Any pure vanilla extract will work, or use vanilla bean paste for extra flavor.
The printable recipe card at the bottom of the page contains a detailed list of measurements and instructions.
🔪How to Make Keto Lemon Thumbprint Cookies
I have included a few step-by-step photos to help you visualize the recipe. The recipe card below provides the full instructions, including amounts and temperatures.
Whisk the almond flour, brown sweetener, xanthan gum, sea salt, butter, and vanilla together until a smooth dough forms.
Roll an even tablespoon of dough into a ball, make an indent in each with your thumb, and place them on a baking sheet.
Bake in the oven for 10 minutes and let them cool for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
Spoon a teaspoon of the lemon curd into each cookie.
Storing Your Keto Lemon Thumbprint Cookies
Storage Instructions:
- Unfilled Cookies:
- Cool completely before storing
- Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days
- Store with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking
- Can be frozen for up to 3 months
- Filled Cookies:
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
- Layer with parchment paper to prevent sticking
- The lemon curd may soften the cookies slightly over time
- Not recommended for freezing once filled
- Lemon Curd Storage:
- Store extra lemon curd separately in the refrigerator
- Keeps for up to 1 week in an airtight container
- Can be frozen for up to 3 months
Make-Ahead Options:
- Make cookie dough and refrigerate up to 2 days before baking
- Bake cookies and store them unfilled until ready to serve
- Fill cookies just before serving for the best texture
Pro Tips:
- For best results, assemble cookies within a few hours of serving
- Allow refrigerated cookies to come to room temperature before serving
- Consider storing cookies and lemon curd separately and assembling them as needed
- Always ensure containers are completely sealed to maintain freshness
💭My Recipe Tips
1. Perfect Your Thumbprints Make your indents in two stages - first before baking, then gently reshape while the cookies are still warm if needed. Using the back of a rounded teaspoon can create more uniform indents than thumbs.
2. Room Temperature Butter Matters Your butter should be perfectly softened - not melted, not cold. It should easily indent when pressed but still hold its shape. This ensures your dough comes together smoothly without overworking.
3. Don't Skip the Cooling Time Be patient! These cookies need to cool completely before filling with lemon curd. Warm cookies will cause the curd to become runny and could make the cookies break apart.
4. Master Your Measurements When measuring almond flour, spoon it into your measuring cup and level off - don't scoop directly from the bag. Compacted flour can make your cookies too dense.
5. Filling Finesse Don't overfill your cookies with lemon curd. About a teaspoon is perfect - any more, and it might overflow. A small piping bag or zipper bag with the corner snipped makes filling neat and easy.
6. Size Matters Keep your cookie dough balls consistent in size (about 1 tablespoon each) for even baking. This small-batch recipe makes exactly 12 cookies when portioned correctly.
7. Watch Your Edges These cookies should be just barely golden at the edges when done. Overbaking can make them dry and crumbly, so keep an eye on them during those final minutes!
FAQ about Keto Lemon Thumbprint Cookies
This is totally normal! That's why we reshape them while they're still warm from the oven. Use the back of a rounded teaspoon to gently press the centers down again before they cool completely.
Since we're using almond flour instead of regular flour, xanthan gum helps bind the cookies together and create that perfect shortbread texture. Without it, your cookies might be too crumbly.
The dough should hold together when pressed but not be sticky. If it's too crumbly, add softened butter 1 teaspoon at a time. If too wet, add almond flour 1 tablespoon at a time until it reaches the right consistency.
🍽️Serving Suggestions
1. Perfect Tea Time Pairings
These delicate keto cookies are perfect with afternoon tea! Serve alongside a pot of Earl Grey or chamomile tea. For an extra special touch, add sugar-free whipped cream or keto lemon tea cakes to create a complete afternoon tea experience.
2. Holiday Cookie Platters
Create a beautiful spring or Easter dessert platter by pairing these lemon thumbprints with other keto cookies like chocolate chip, sugar cookies, or shortbread. The bright yellow centers make them a stunning centerpiece!
3. Brunch Additions
Add these to your keto brunch spread alongside sugar-free mimosas and savory dishes. They're light enough to serve as a brunch dessert but special enough to feel like a treat.
4. Dessert Garnishes
Use these as an elegant garnish for other keto desserts. Try them alongside sugar-free lemon mousse, cheesecake, or panna cotta for a coordinated citrus theme.
5. Gift-Giving
Package these cookies in pretty boxes or clear bags for spring gifts or party favors. Just remember to keep them refrigerated if they're filled with lemon curd!
6. Simple Dessert Board
Create a keto-friendly dessert board with these cookies as the star. Add sugar-free chocolate squares, berries, and keto nuts for a beautiful presentation.
7. Beverage Pairings
Serve with keto-friendly drinks like:
- Sugar-free lemonade
- Iced tea
- Keto coffee drinks
- Sugar-free champagne cocktails
More Delicious Cookie Recipes...
Keto Lemon Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Sugar-Free Lemon Curd
- 1 1/2 cups Wholesome Yum almond flour
- 1/4 cup Besti Brown Sweetener
- 1/2 tsp xanthan gum
- A pinch pink sea salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted grass-fed butter softened
- 2 tsp real vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your the to 350 degrees F.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the almond flour, brown monk fruit, xanthan gum, and sea salt. Add the butter and vanilla and mix until a dough forms.
- Roll an even tablespoon of dough into 12 balls and place them on a baking sheet. Make an indent in each with your thumb.
- Bake in the oven for 10 minutes. When you remove them from the oven, you may need to push the indents back down a little with a spoon.
- Let them cool for 5 minutes then transfer the cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Spoon a teaspoon of the lemon curd into each cookie.
Disclaimer
Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs will not be included as it has a glycemic index of 0 (meaning it does not spike blood sugar) and it’s not metabolized. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Nutrition
Food safety
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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