Description
Clothespin Cookies are a charming vintage dessert featuring delicate, crispy cookie shells shaped around clothespins and filled with a creamy vanilla filling. These old-fashioned cream-filled cookies are perfect for holidays or any special occasion and bring a touch of nostalgia to your dessert table.
Ingredients
Scale
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, ensuring the fat is well incorporated. Add the flour and salt, mixing until the mixture turns crumbly. Gradually pour in the cold water while mixing to form a soft dough. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour to allow it to firm up and become easier to handle.
- Preheat and Prepare Tools: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease your metal clothespins or dowel rods to prevent the dough from sticking when wrapping.
- Roll and Shape: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to approximately 1/8 inch thickness. Cut the dough into strips measuring about 1 inch wide and 5 inches long. Carefully wrap each strip around a greased clothespin, overlapping the dough slightly to form a long cylindrical shape.
- Bake Cookies: Place the wrapped dough on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden and crisp. Remove from the oven and cool briefly, then gently slide the cookies off the clothespins. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Filling: In a small saucepan, whisk together the flour, sugar, and milk over medium heat until the mixture thickens, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely. In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter and shortening until fluffy. Gradually add the cooled flour mixture and vanilla extract, beating until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble Cookies: Once the cookie shells are fully cooled, pipe or spoon the creamy filling into each shell, filling them generously. Dust the finished cookies lightly with powdered sugar for an elegant touch before serving.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to maintain freshness.
- For a flavor twist, try adding almond or lemon extract to the filling instead of vanilla extract.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
