Short Dough Cookies

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
2. Add the egg to the mixture and beat until fully combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
3. Gradually add the flour to the mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough dough.
4. Once the dough has come together, divide it into two equal portions and shape each portion into a flat disc. Wrap each disc in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or until firm.
5. When ready to use, remove the dough from the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature for about 10-15 minutes. This will make it easier to roll out.
6. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to your desired thickness. Use a cookie cutter or knife to cut out shapes as desired.
7. Transfer the cut dough to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving about 1 inch of space between each cookie.
8. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden brown around the edges.
9. Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Enjoy your delicious short dough cookies!

Lemon Curd

1. Fill a medium-sized saucepan with 1-2 inches of water and place it on the stove over medium heat. Bring the water to a simmer.
2. In a medium-sized heatproof bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, whole eggs, and sugar until well combined.
3. Add the lemon juice and zest to the egg mixture and whisk until fully incorporated.
4. Place the bowl over the simmering water, making sure that the bottom of the bowl is not touching the water. This is called a double boiler or Bain Marie.
5. Using a whisk or a spatula, stir the mixture constantly until it thickens, about 8-10 minutes. The curd should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
6. Remove the bowl from the heat and add the butter, stirring until it is fully melted and incorporated.
7. Strain the curd through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps or zest.
8. Transfer the curd to a clean jar or container and allow it to cool to room temperature before covering and storing it in the refrigerator.
9. Your delicious lemon curd is now ready to be used as a filling for cakes, tarts, or enjoyed on its own. Enjoy! Keep any remaining lemon curd in the fridge for up to 2 weeks

Royal Icing Glaze

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg whites and powdered sugar until smooth and glossy.
2. Add the lemon juice to the mixture and stir until fully combined.
3. Place the bowl in the microwave and heat on high for 20 seconds.
4. Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir the icing. This will help distribute the heat and ensure that the icing is heated evenly.
5. Place the bowl back in the microwave and heat on high for an additional 30 seconds.
6. Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir the icing again until smooth and glossy.
7. If the icing is too thick, add a little water, a few drops at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.

Warning: Raw egg whites can carry a risk of salmonella infection, especially for individuals with compromised immune systems, young children, pregnant women, and the elderly. To reduce the risk of illness, it is important to use fresh eggs from a reputable source and to handle them carefully. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling raw eggs, and avoid consuming raw or undercooked eggs. If you are concerned about the risk of salmonella infection, you may wish to use pasteurized egg whites or meringue powder instead.

Assembling Egg Cookies

1. Bake the short dough cookies according to the recipe instructions and let them cool completely.
2. While the cookies are cooling, make the lemon curd using the recipe instructions provided earlier. Allow the curd to cool slightly before assembling.
3. Next, make the royal icing glaze using the recipe instructions provided earlier.
4. Once you have all the components ready, it's time to assemble the cookies. Take a cookie base and place a small amount of lemon curd on top of it, spreading it evenly to the edges.
5. Take another cookie and cut out a small hole in the center using a cookie cutter or a small knife.
6. Place the cookie with the hole on top of the lemon curd layer, making sure that it is centered and the edges are aligned with the bottom cookie.
7. Using a piping bag or a small spoon, pipe the royal icing glaze on top of the cookie, covering the hole and spreading it slightly to create a smooth surface.
8. Using a spoon, fill the hole in the top cookie with more lemon curd, making sure not to overfill it.
9. Repeat with the remaining cookies until all are assembled.
10. Store the Egg Cookies in the refrigerator until ready to serve. They can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
11. Enjoy your delicious Egg Cookies!