Ingredients

16 tablespoons (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature 

1 cup confectioners' sugar 

1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest (from 1 lemon) 

1/2 teaspoon salt 

2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for rolling 

2 tablespoons granulated sugar, for sprinkling 

Creamy Lemon Filling

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl using an electric mixer on high speed, beat butter, confectioners’ sugar, lemon zest, and salt until combined. With mixer on low, add flour (dough will still be stiff); finish mixing with a wooden spoon.

Turn dough out onto a piece of plastic wrap, pat into a disk about 1/2 inch thick. Wrap, and chill until firm, about 1 hour (and up to 3 days).

Unwrap dough; place on a lightly floured piece of parchment or waxed paper. With a lightly floured rolling pin, roll dough about 1/8 inch thick (if dough cracks, let it warm up slightly).

Cut out cookies with a 1 1/2-inch round cutter (reroll scraps once, chilling of too soft). Place 1 inch apart on two baking sheets; sprinkle with granulated sugar. Bake until barely beginning to brown, 15 to 20 minutes; transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Form sandwiches: Place about 1 teaspoon Creamy Lemon Filling between two cookies, sugared sides facing out; squeeze gently.