If you’re looking for a charming vintage dessert that brings a touch of nostalgia and a burst of creamy sweetness, the Clothespin Cookies Recipe is an absolute must-try. These delicately rolled cookies, baked right on clothespins to form a crisp, tubular shell, are filled with a luscious, smooth cream that balances richness and lightness beautifully. Perfect for gifting, sharing with friends, or a cozy afternoon treat, this recipe combines simple pantry staples into an extraordinary bite that’s both eye-catching and irresistibly tasty.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Clothespin Cookies Recipe plays a crucial role in creating the perfect texture, flavor, and appearance. From the blend of butter and shortening that crafts the tender cookie shell to the creamy filling flavored just right, these basics come together to make a truly unforgettable dessert.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the sturdy yet tender base for both the cookies and the filling’s thickening agent.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Adds rich flavor and contributes to that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Shortening: Helps achieve a delicate, crisp cookie shell by reducing spread during baking.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and filling while giving slight caramelization in the oven.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors, balancing the sweetness perfectly.
- Cold water: Binds the dough while keeping it tender and easy to roll.
- Powdered sugar: For a light dusting finish adding a soft sweetness and a pretty presentation.
- Whole milk: Blended into the filling to make it creamy and smooth.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses the filling with subtle warmth and depth of flavor.
How to Make Clothespin Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by creaming together the softened butter, shortening, and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy—this step is key to ensuring your cookies have that tender, buttery bite. Then stir in the flour and salt until crumbs form. Slowly add the cold water to bring everything together into a soft dough that’s easy to work with. Wrap it in plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour to firm up the dough, making it perfect for rolling and shaping.
Step 2: Shape the Cookies
Once chilled, preheat your oven and prepare your clothespins by lightly greasing them—this prevents sticking and creates the classic hollow tube shape. Roll your dough thin, about 1/8 inch thick, then cut it into long strips roughly 1 inch wide and 5 inches long. Wrap each strip snugly around a greased clothespin, slightly overlapping the dough edges to seal, creating that quaint clothespin cookie look.
Step 3: Bake and Cool
Bake the wrapped dough strips at 375°F (190°C) for 10 to 12 minutes, just until they turn a gentle golden hue. Timing is important here; underbaking leaves the cookies soft, while overbaking risks brittleness. After baking, allow the cookies to cool slightly on their clothespins before carefully sliding them off onto a wire rack to cool completely and hold their shape.
Step 4: Make the Filling
While your cookie shells cool, whisk together flour, sugar, and milk in a saucepan over medium heat until thick and pudding-like, around 3 to 5 minutes. Let this mixture cool completely so it won’t melt the butter later. Beat together butter and shortening until light and fluffy, then gradually mix in your cooled milk mixture and vanilla extract. The result is a velvety, creamy filling that’s just dreamy.
Step 5: Assemble the Cookies
Once the cookies are fully cooled, carefully pipe or spoon the luscious filling into each tubular shell. Don’t be shy—fill them generously for that perfect cream-to-cookie ratio. Finish your Clothespin Cookies Recipe with a delicate dusting of powdered sugar for that nostalgic, elegant touch.
How to Serve Clothespin Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A simple dusting of powdered sugar is classic and adds a snowy, festive feel. For a twist, try sprinkling finely chopped nuts or a light drizzle of melted chocolate for extra flavor and texture contrast. Even a small sprinkle of edible glitter can turn these cookies into a party showstopper.
Side Dishes
Clothespin cookies pair wonderfully with a steaming cup of tea or a freshly brewed coffee. Their crisp shell and rich cream filling offer a perfect balance to the warmth and slight bitterness of these beverages. Fresh fruit or a mild cheese plate can also elevate dessert time when you want a bit more variety alongside these treats.
Creative Ways to Present
Mini gift boxes or decorative tins make these cookies perfect for gifting, especially during holidays. For gatherings, arrange them standing upright in a pretty jar or bundle them with a ribbon tied around the clothespin ends for a cute, nostalgic presentation that invites curiosity and conversation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
The best way to keep your Clothespin Cookies Recipe fresh is by storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This preserves the delicate crunch of the shell while keeping the creamy filling cool and luscious, lasting up to four days without losing flavor or texture.
Freezing
If you want to prepare these cookies ahead of time, you can freeze the cookie shells separately in a sealed container for up to one month. Freeze the filling in an airtight container as well. When ready to enjoy, thaw both components in the refrigerator, then assemble fresh for the best texture and taste.
Reheating
To regain that just-baked crispness, gently warm the cookie shells alone in a low oven for a few minutes before filling. Avoid reheating once they’re filled to prevent the cream from melting or separating. Serving them cool with a warm drink creates an irresistible contrast.
FAQs
Can I use something other than clothespins to shape the cookies?
Absolutely! If you don’t have metal clothespins, lightly greased thin wooden dowel rods or metal rods of similar size work perfectly. Just make sure they are heat-safe and well-greased to prevent sticking.
What if I don’t have shortening; can I use all butter?
You can substitute shortening with more butter, but keep in mind the texture may be slightly different, as shortening helps create a crisp and flaky cookie shell. The cookies might spread a bit more and be less crisp if you omit shortening entirely.
How long should I chill the dough before rolling it out?
Chilling for at least 1 hour is recommended to firm up the dough and prevent it from sticking or tearing while rolling and shaping. You can chill longer, even overnight, if that fits your schedule.
Can I flavor the filling with extracts other than vanilla?
Definitely! Almond or lemon extracts are delightful swaps that add unique flavors to the filling. Start with a small amount, about 1/2 teaspoon, to avoid overpowering the creamy sweetness.
Are these cookies suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, the Clothespin Cookies Recipe is vegetarian-friendly as it uses no animal-derived gelatin or products other than dairy. Just make sure to use vegetarian-friendly vanilla extract if buying pre-made.
Final Thoughts
Give this Clothespin Cookies Recipe a try the next time you want to delight your senses and charm guests with something unique and lovingly homemade. These crisp, creamy treats marry old-fashioned technique with a timeless flavor that’s sure to become a treasured favorite in your baking repertoire. Happy baking and even happier indulging!
Print
Clothespin Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour plus chilling and cooling
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Clothespin Cookies are a nostalgic American dessert featuring delicate, crisp cookie shells wrapped around clothespins to create a unique shape. Filled with a creamy, vanilla-infused filling, these vintage-style treats are perfect for holiday gatherings or any special occasion. The dough combines butter and shortening for a tender texture, while the filling offers a rich, smooth contrast that makes each bite delightful.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold water
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Filling
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, shortening, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Gradually mix in the flour and salt until the mixture becomes crumbly. Slowly add the cold water while mixing until a soft dough forms. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Preheat and Prepare Clothespins: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease metal clothespins or dowel rods to prevent sticking during baking.
- Roll and Cut Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough out to about 1/8 inch thickness. Cut the dough into strips approximately 1 inch wide and 5 inches long for shaping around the clothespins.
- Form Cookie Shapes: Wrap each dough strip carefully around a greased clothespin, overlapping the dough slightly to secure the shape. Place the formed dough-wrapped clothespins on a baking sheet prepared for baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the dough-wrapped clothespins in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookies turn lightly golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly.
- Remove Clothespins and Cool Completely: Once slightly cooled, gently slide the cookies off the clothespins or dowels and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Filling: In a small saucepan, whisk together the flour, sugar, and whole milk over medium heat. Cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let the filling cool completely before using.
- Prepare Filling Base: In a separate bowl, beat together the softened butter and shortening until the mixture becomes fluffy and smooth.
- Combine and Flavor Filling: Gradually add the cooled thickened flour mixture and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and shortening, beating until the filling is smooth and creamy.
- Fill the Cookies: Using a piping bag or spoon, carefully fill each cooled cookie shell with the prepared filling.
- Finish and Serve: Dust the filled cookies lightly with powdered sugar before serving to enhance their appearance and add a touch of sweetness.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to maintain freshness.
- For a flavor twist, add almond or lemon extract to the filling instead of vanilla.
- Ensure the clothespins or dowel rods are well greased to avoid sticking and breakage of the cookies.
- Be gentle when sliding the cookies off the clothespins to prevent cracking the delicate shells.
