Bring a touch of old-fashioned charm to your table with these delightful Clothespin Cookies, a nostalgic treat featuring crisp, delicate pastry wrapped around a creamy, dreamy filling. Beloved for generations during holidays and family gatherings, these airy cookies are dusted with snowy powdered sugar and filled with a vanilla-scented buttercream that makes every bite a little celebration. If you’re looking for a show-stopping homemade dessert to share with family or friends—or just to indulge in a bit of sweet nostalgia—Clothespin Cookies are the perfect choice to add a little magic to any occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
A few familiar pantry staples combine to create the unforgettable taste and texture of Clothespin Cookies. Each component plays a special role, from giving the pastry its flaky crunch to making the filling irresistibly smooth.
- All-purpose flour: Both the dough and the filling use flour to provide just the right structure and mild flavor.
- Unsalted butter: Essential for richness and that classic melt-in-your-mouth pastry, as well as creating a luscious, creamy filling.
- Whole milk: Adds tenderness to the dough and is the secret to making the filling thick and smooth.
- White vinegar: A splash helps tenderize the dough, balancing the richness with a subtle tang.
- Egg yolk: Improves the cookie’s color and binds the pastry together beautifully.
- Vegetable shortening: Blends with butter for a super-light, fluffy filling that holds its shape inside the cookie.
- Vanilla extract: Just a teaspoon brings the whole filling to life with sweet, fragrant warmth.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens up the pastry cream just right without overwhelming the flavor.
- Powdered sugar: A final, essential dusting for that classic holiday look and a melt-away finish.
How to Make Clothespin Cookies
Step 1: Make the Pastry Dough
Start by combining the all-purpose flour and softened butter in a large mixing bowl. Use your fingertips or a pastry blender to work them together until you get a crumbly mixture that almost resembles coarse sand. Next, whisk together the whole milk, white vinegar, and egg yolk in a smaller bowl. Pour this wet mixture gradually into the flour and butter, stirring as you go, until the dough just comes together. Divide it in half, wrap each piece tightly in plastic, and let the dough chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour—this rest makes rolling much easier and results in the most tender pastry shells.
Step 2: Shape and Bake the Cookies
Once your dough is chilled and ready, preheat your oven to 375°F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface until it’s very thin, about 1/8 inch thick. Cut the dough into strips roughly 1 inch wide and 5 inches long. Take each strip and wrap it gently around a greased metal clothespin form or cream horn mold, overlapping the edges a little. Lay them seam-side down on your prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they’re just turning golden and smell wonderfully buttery. Allow them to cool until you can handle them, then gently slide the shells off the molds and let them cool completely.
Step 3: Cook the Creamy Filling
Time to make that irresistible filling! In a saucepan, whisk together the whole milk, flour, and granulated sugar. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly so nothing sticks or scorches, until the mixture thickens to a pudding-like consistency. Take the pan off the heat and let this mixture come to room temperature; cooling is a must for a smooth, fluffy filling later on.
Step 4: Fluff Up the Filling
In a separate bowl, beat together the softened butter and vegetable shortening until very light and fluffy—this gives the filling its signature texture. Gradually add the cooled milk-flour mixture and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until completely smooth and creamy. The filling should hold its shape but still pipe easily.
Step 5: Fill and Finish the Cookies
Spoon or pipe the creamy filling into your cooled pastry shells—if you’re using a piping bag, you’ll get that lovely, neat finish. Once filled, arrange the cookies on a serving platter and shower generously with powdered sugar for that fairytale look. Now, your batch of perfect Clothespin Cookies is ready to share and savor!
How to Serve Clothespin Cookies
Garnishes
A cloud of powdered sugar is traditional and oh-so-pretty for serving Clothespin Cookies, but you can also add a pinch of colored sanding sugar or edible glitter to make them pop for holidays. For a little extra flavor, try a dusting of cinnamon or even a drizzle of melted chocolate over the top just before serving.
Side Dishes
Clothespin Cookies are at home on any dessert tray and pair especially well with a cup of hot tea, coffee, or even an espresso for a mid-day pick-me-up. If you’re serving these at a gathering, consider arranging them with fresh berries, candied nuts, or a platter of other classic cookies for a charming, varied spread.
Creative Ways to Present
For an unforgettable presentation, stack Clothespin Cookies on a tiered dessert stand or bundle a few in a parchment-lined box tied with ribbon for sweet homemade gifts. At parties, set up a “build-your-own” cookie station with different fillings—think almond, lemon, or chocolate—for guests to customize their treats.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store filled Clothespin Cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days. The pastry stays crispest within the first day, but the creamy filling keeps everything moist and satisfying.
Freezing
You can freeze unfilled pastry shells for up to two months—just layer them with parchment paper in an airtight container. When you’re ready to serve, thaw at room temperature and fill as usual. For best texture, avoid freezing the cream filling, but you can make it fresh in minutes!
Reheating
If the shells lose a little crispness after storage, you can refresh them in a 325°F oven for 3 to 5 minutes before filling. The filled cookies are best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature; simply bring them out of the fridge 15 minutes before serving for the perfect bite.
FAQs
Can I make Clothespin Cookies without metal molds?
Absolutely! If you don’t have traditional metal clothespin molds, you can use cream horn molds or even fashion your own by wrapping foil around thick wooden dowels. Just be sure to grease them well so the cookies release easily after baking.
Is there a way to flavor the filling differently?
Definitely! Swap out the vanilla extract for almond, lemon, or even a hint of rum for a unique twist. Just a teaspoon of flavored extract blends beautifully into the buttercream and takes your cookies in a whole new direction.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
For the best flavor and texture, stick with real butter in both the pastry and the filling. Margarine can work in a pinch, but it won’t provide the same rich taste or flaky bite that makes Clothespin Cookies so special.
How do I keep the pastry shells from breaking?
Let the cookies cool just until they’re comfortable to handle, then gently twist or slide them off the molds. If you try to remove them while they’re still very warm—or wait until they’re completely cold—they can crack more easily.
Can I prepare Clothespin Cookies ahead for a party?
Yes! You can make the shells and filling up to two days ahead, then fill the cookies a few hours before serving to keep them fresh. Wait to dust with powdered sugar until just before guests arrive for the prettiest presentation.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like the joy of sharing a plate of homemade Clothespin Cookies, each one a little bundle of nostalgia and sweetness. If you’ve never made them before, I hope you’ll give this recipe a try—they’re easier than you think and sure to become a new favorite for you and everyone lucky enough to taste one!
Print
Clothespin Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Clothespin Cookies are delightful, vintage pastries filled with a creamy, sweet center. These charming treats are perfect for holiday celebrations or any special occasion.
Ingredients
For the Pastry:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 egg yolk
For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup whole milk
For Assembly:
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare the Pastry: In a large bowl, combine the flour and butter until crumbly. Mix milk, vinegar, and egg yolk in a separate bowl. Gradually add the wet mixture to the flour mixture, forming a dough. Chill dough, then roll and cut into strips.
- Shape the Cookies: Wrap dough strips around clothespins or molds, bake until golden, then remove the molds and cool.
- Make the Filling: Cook milk, flour, and sugar until thickened. Beat shortening, butter, and vanilla until creamy. Fill pastry shells with the mixture.
- Finish: Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
- Prepare the filling ahead for convenience.
- Experiment with different extract flavors for a unique taste.
- Refrigerate filled cookies for freshness.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *