01 -
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 -
In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 1/4 cups of flour, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Set aside.
03 -
In a separate bowl, beat 1/2 cup of softened butter with 1 cup of granulated sugar until light and airy, about 2-3 minutes.
04 -
Mix in 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon of lemon zest, and 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice until fully combined.
05 -
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix.
06 -
In a separate bowl, combine 4 oz of softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup of powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon of lemon zest, and 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice. Stir until smooth and creamy.
07 -
Scoop about 1 tablespoon of cookie dough and flatten it in your palm. Place 1 teaspoon of the cream cheese filling in the center, then fold the dough over to seal it and form a ball.
08 -
Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden around the edges.