Lemon curd is sandwiched between soft and chewy paleo lemon cookies in this dairy-free treat!
It’s been awfully dreary and rainy lately. During times like these, I’m all for lemon goodies.
Some of my favorites are this Italian lemon almond flour cake (it has white chocolate in it but I’m working on a paleo version!) and these paleo lemon bars. Just a bite of either are enough to cheer me up.
The lemon cookies in these cookie sandwiches are actually vegan, but because of the curd, the cookie sandwiches aren’t. I tried to come up with an alternative vegan filling but couldn’t make anything as delicious as the curd. Have any of you made any tasty vegan lemon curd?
So the cookies on their own are already soft and the curd softens the cookies even more. It makes them totally irresistible.
I used this honey sweetened lemon curd as the filling since I had to do something with it after making a huge batch and I don’t especially like it on bread. Or by the spoonful.
If you don’t have any curd handy and don’t want to make any, the cream cheese filling I used in my chewy ginger sandwich cookies with lemon filling would work well here but the lemon curd just adds so much zing!
Why make a regular lemon cookie sandwich when you could have little citrus explosions in your mouth? :D
This recipe has lemon extract, lemon zest, and lemon curd. Switch all of that out to lime or orange if that sounds better! After writing that, I think I need to try a key lime version ASAP.
Another thing to note is that this recipe yields relatively few cookies. You know, portion control issues. So double it if you have a friend to share with. ;)
So, just like usual, it’s been a long time since my last post. The babysitter I mentioned that would be starting the next day hasn’t started yet and probably won’t until the end of the month. She got sick on the day she was supposed to start.
We are having extraordinary luck with childcare. ;) So I can’t really work but on the upside, Björn is tons of fun to play with. :D
Paleo Lemon Cookie Sandwiches (grain-free, dairy-free)
- Prep Time:
- Cook Time:
- Ready in:
- Yield: 12 sandwich cookies
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup (56 grams) refined1 coconut oil, melted
- 1/3 cup (107 grams) maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon extract
- 1 1/3 cups (133 grams) almond flour
- 2 tablespoons (17 grams) coconut flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 - 1/2 cup lemon curd
Directions
- In a large bowl, mix together the coconut oil, maple syrup, lemon zest and lemon extract.
- Add the almond flour, sifted coconut flour, baking soda and salt.
- If the dough is too soft to roll into balls, refrigerate for 30 minutes or until firm.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C).
- Line a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper or a Silpat.
- Roll the dough into twenty-four 3/4" balls and place 1" apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Press the balls down slightly and bake for 10 minutes. The cookies should crackle a little.
- Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet and then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once the cookies are cool, assemble the cookie sandwiches by placing 2 teaspoons of curd between two cookies.
- Place the cookies in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Using unrefined coconut oil would yield cookies with some coconut flavor. If you want truly lemony cookies, you have to use refined coconut oil.
84 comments on “Paleo Chewy Lemon Cookie Sandwiches (grain-free, dairy-free)” — Add one!
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Any way I could use lemon juice instead of lemon extract, I do not have that in the house right now! :-/
Yes, that should work fine!
I often refrain from making paleo cookies because they tend to be so bland and so I’d rather just not eat any TILL NOW !!!!! Omg these are absolutely amazing ! I don’t like too much lemon and this recipe was insanely perfect 👌🏼 I had a taste of the m and I can’t tell you how perfect the combination is with a tiny bit of crisp and mostly chew, along with the lemon curd I made via the recipe you provided
I am so happy I found your site !!!
I’m glad you found it, too! And I’m so happy that you enjoyed the cookies and think they’re worth eating again. I have lots of other paleo cookie recipes you might like that are definitely worth making. ;) Thanks for your comment and sorry for my slow reply!
Oh my gosh, this sounds so yummy! It looks beautiful, too. :-)
Thank you! :)
These cookies are everything I’m dreaming about this spring. I crave just about anything lemon flavored this spring. There’s a girl scout cookie with lemon creme I can’t have, since I’m gluten free, and i think these will be a great substitute!
I honestly think these are even better! More lemony and soft and chewy. :)
I’ve made several of your recipes but I’ve never left a comment. I couldn’t resist with these lemon cookies. They are PERFECT. I followed the recipe as written (but doubled it), made the curd (it was quick and easy) and though I am the only person with the wheat allergy…everyone LOVED these, including two very picky teens! The flavor of the light lemony cookie with the bright tangy curd is just enough to satisfy as a sweet without sugar overload. Thank you for sharing this recipe!!!
You’re welcome! And thank you for leaving a review for these cookies. :) I’m so glad you think that they’re perfect! It’s great that even the non GF-eaters loved them. Thanks for your comment!
Looks like a good snack idea! So craving these!
Thanks! :)
These are perfect for spring time. Lemon cookies are great this time of year and I can’t wait to make these.
I hope you’ll enjoy them! :)
So this is the second lemon recipe I’ve seen today and it is getting me so excited about spring! Just love anything lemon :o)
Same here! It’s so cheery. :)
Lemon and coconut fuse together in perfect harmony to create a new instant favorite cookie. Fantastic recipe, as always! 🙂
Aww, thanks! I’m glad to hear that you like them. :)
So good! I’ve been obsessed over coconut milk fillings lately. I really need to try a cookie sandwich. Have never done it before!
Oooh! You totally need to try these then! :D
These look like my next treat, incredible!
I hope you’ll love them! :)
These look so light and sweet; the perfect treat for spring! I am looking forward to making these with my kids. They will love these!
I hope they will! :)
OMG YUM! I need these in my life :) I’m a huge fan of anything with lemon. Now I just gotta get some lemon curd
It’s so easy to make!
These look so yummy. And makes glad spring is almost here. Can’t wait to make these!
I hope you’ll enjoy them!
I can’t do nut flour, do you have substitutes for that?? Cassava or jus a gluten free mix??
Thanks, looks very good😍
Cassava or a GF mix wouldn’t work. Unfortunately there’s no direct sub for nuts flours. :( Sorry about that!
Lemon curd biscuits are one of my favourites.
Did you know, you can find a dairy free lemon curd jar depending on where you’re living? I live in Switzerland.
I answered this in response to your other comment in another post, but in case anyone else is wondering, here is a recipe for DF lemon curd. :) I hope that helps!
How do I make the lemon curd?
I didn’t include that recipe within this post but rather linked to it since I had just posted it a few days prior to posting this cookie recipe. :) Here you go: honey sweetened lemon curd.
Thank you! Do you know if Honey can be substituted for maple syrup in this recipe?
I haven’t tried it but I’m assuming it’ll work. Honey often works as a direct sub for honey. Good luck and hope you’ll like them! :)
I just made these cookies, and they taste great! But they didn’t come out looking as pretty as yours. My dough was rather course and wet. I also didn’t take the time to roll them. Do you think that could be it? I would appreciate anyone’s input!
Thanks,
Did you refrigerate the dough for the 30 minutes? The dough is pretty wet pre-chilling, but 30 minutes in the fridge should have taken care of that. :) And coarse? Hmm. The only thing I can think of is that you packed your almond flour tighter than I do. I made a note in the instructions just now advising people to weigh the almond flour. Brands seem to vary quite a bit! And not rolling them would explain why they didn’t come out looking pretty. They don’t spread quite like regular cookies so rolling them is needed if you want them to form a perfect circle. Hope that helps! :)
I love lemon cookies! And your pictures are pretty! Hoping you get a lemon tree of your own some day!
Thanks so much, Peggy! And that’s sweet of you to say. I really am looking forward to my future lemon tree! ;)
I love lemon! Can’t wait to try these : )
I hope you’ll enjoy them! :)
Just made these with cashew meal from Trader Joe’s. The mixture was rather liquidy so I added an extra TBL of coconut flour. I just spooned them on the parchment paper instead of rolling. They turned out awesome! A little flatter than pictured, but chewy in the middle with a crispy edge. Will definitely make again!
thank you!!
I’m so happy that they came out well for you, Melissa! Great to know that cashew meal works. :) A friend in the US sent me some from Trader Joe’s and I didn’t know what to do with it until now. Thanks a bunch for your feedback and the rating! :)
I love lemon cookies – and i have never tried grain free! These are a must!
These don’t even taste grain-free! Just chewy, yummy goodness. :)
These are the cookies OF MY DREAMS
Lol. Have you tried them?! By the way, have you enjoyed the goodies I’ve been bringing to the breakroom? I think I’ve brought like 14 different things in the last 10 days. :D
Yummy, Erin! With lemon curd, too!! I love that these are grain free. Can’t wait to try them!
I hope you go! They’re SO good. :)
Oh these cookies are adorable! I can’t wait for spring so I can start baking with lemons and oranges and all things citrus :)
Thanks, Becca! And what?! You don’t bake with citrus in the winter? I thought it was a wintry thing!
I made this recipe last weekend and my kids LOVED it. The plateful was gone within half an hour! It was easy to make and definitely worth repeating. I used honey instead of maple syrup because I was out, and my batch took about 15 minutes in the oven instead of 10. The cookies were not quite sweet enough for my kids to eat plain, and I didn’t feel like making the lemon curd, so I made a very simple lemon icing (shortening, powdered sugar, and lemon juice.) Fabulous! I took a picture but I don’t see a way to post it here. Next time, I am going to try using ginger instead of lemon flavoring and see if the basic recipe will also make a good ginger cookie.
Yay! I’m so happy that the kids enjoyed the cookies! Your icing sub sounds great. :) Let me know how the ginger cookie recipe goes. Or you could check out these grain-free chewy ginger sandwich cookies with lemon filing. I think they’re maybe even better than the lemon cookies! Thanks so much for the feedback. :)
LOVE these lemon cookies, Erin! I agree…fresh citrus following Christmas is essential after all the chocolate, caramel and coconut indulgences. Cannot wait to whip up a batch! Thanks for sharing, girl. Now following you via Bloglovin’. :) Pinning!
So happy to have you following on Bloglovin’! And how sad is it that I just started looking into feed readers? I really liked Google Reader. ;) Thanks for following and pinning!
Lemon-flavored baked goods are the best thing to have once Christmas is gone. These cookies look and sound scrumptious, and they are the most adorable thing ever ;–)
Have a fantastic week! x
Thank you! And agreed. Don’t give me ginger or anything with cloves or chocolate. I want LEMONS! :D I hope you’re having a great week, too!
Wow, these look and sound amazing! I can’t wait to try them :)
Thanks! I hope you’ll enjoy them. :)
These look incredible! I still remember the first time I tried lemon curd – instantly I fell in love. These totally need to happen in my future. :)
I hope they will happen in your future! Let me know how they come out. :)
I would love anything lemon right now. I just truly love that flavor. I see that you have made quite a few goodies that I would like to try as well. I have never made lemon curd before. I am sure homemade is way better than store bought. Great looking cookies!!
Thanks, Miryam! :) And yeah. Homemade lemon curd is much better!
LOVE this Erin. Pinned and bookmarked.
Thanks for pinning! I hope you’ll get a chance to make them. :)
Well these are just the most perfect lemony cookies I have ever seen! Yum Yum!
Thank you, Kristi! :)
Lemon cookies are just what I need right now to get me through these dreary, rainy winter days!! They look so good and fresh.
Agreed! I just can’t deal with this terrible greyness without lemons.
Love lemon desserts and your lemon cookie sandwiches look too good not to try!
Thanks, Jessica! :)
These look delicious! Never had lemon cookies that are chewy–such a great idea to sandwich them too! :)
Really?! Oooh! You’ve gotta try these then! :)
I love anything lemon, these sandwich cookies look too good to pass up! :)
I know you love your lemon. ;)
Mmm these sound delightful!
Thanks! :)
These sandwich cookies look soooo good, Erin! I love citrusy treats. I’ve often dreamed of owning a house with lemon trees, too!
Aww. Too bad we live in NYC (or the area) and Berlin, right? I want a house! With berry bushes, peach trees, apple trees… I have a HUGE list of everything I need. ;)
I love sandwich cookies, and lemon curd sounds like a perfect filling, I need to try these!
And bonus on the filling being easy, right? ;)
Love the idea of these chewy little bites of sunshine!
Chewy little bites of sunshine?! I wish I could come up with that stuff! :)