Lemon Orange Pecan Thumbprint Cookies
There are many versions of this particular cookie, but none quite so tender and rich as this one. The addition of orange and lemon juice ensures a tender dough and adds a flavor nuance that is very appealing.
4 cups cake flour, sifted
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
1½ cups unsalted butter, cool room temperature
1 cup extra-fine sugar
3 large egg yolks
freshly grated zest of 1 large orange
freshly grated zest of 1 large lemon
3 tablespoons orange juice
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Finishing
4 egg whites, slightly beaten, in a small mixing bowl
12 ounces (3 cups) pecans, minced, in a small mixing bowl
16-ounce jar maraschino cherries in syrup, well drained and halved
- In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle, cream butter and sugar together thoroughly.
- Add egg yolks, and beat until fluffy.
- Add orange zest, lemon zest, orange juice, lemon juice, and vanilla, and combine.
- Refrigerate dough for at least two hours.
- With your hands, roll rounded two teaspoons (#70 commercial scoop) of dough into balls. Roll each ball in egg white, then in chopped pecans.
- Arrange, 1-inch apart on a lightly greased, parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Press a cherry half into the center of each cookie, flattening slightly.
- Bake at 350°F for 18-20 minutes, until the cookies are set and only slightly browning on the bottom. Cool on wire racks.
Makes about six dozen cookies.
Copyright 2015 Susan S. Bradley. All rights reserved.
Just beautiful! I’ve never seen anything like this. Thanks for all these cookie inspirations!
Another very creative flavor combo and twist on a classic. I love it, Susan!
These would make an impact on a table of treats! My dad always gets chocolate-covered cherries for Christmas from my aunt. I bet he’d love these.
These look spectacular. Never seen anything like ’em.
Orange and lemon in a cookie?! I love this idea for the winter. I have to give these a try.
These thumbprint cookies came out perfect! I love the lemon orange flavor you gave them!
So glad they worked for you, Pamela! 🙂
I’m not sure about the maraschino cherry, but the flavors combined of orange and lemon and the pecan sound like win. Now if this was a brandied cherry…
Pech, I allow myself to be kitschy at Christmas. LOL! But a brandied cherry or Amarena Toschi Italian Black Cherries in Syrup would be an excellent adult upgrade. 🙂
Those look so festive and delicious! Just in time for the holidays.
Florian, thanks for stopping by. Love your holiday cake. 🙂
These look amazing! I am going to need to try them asap!
Marye, thanks so much! 🙂
O I love anything orange this time of year!
Rebecca, me too. I use them with wild abandon all winter long. 🙂
Oh my goodness so many great memories my aunts were used to bake a cookie recipe similar to yours every Christmas. Thanks for sharing.
Adriana, thank you. Yes, versions of this cookie have been going strong for many decades. I’ve tried dozens of them over the years. 🙂
Your blog is inspiring. Thank you for all of your time & work.
I am new to Luna cafe–how do I print the amazing recipes so I might try to recreate them for my family? Or is there a book? Radar
Radar, MauJim, our site Admin, just added a print option, per your request, which appears at the bottom of each post. This will give you a print out of the entire post without the pictures and links. Hope this helps and thanks for asking! 🙂