Charming Clothespin Cookies Recipe: Sweet Folded Treats

Crispy and delicate clothespin cookies dance between nostalgia and sweet indulgence, promising a delightful journey through childhood memories.

Bakers often treasure these delicate pastries passed down through generations.

Delicate rolls wrapped around metal forms create a stunning visual treat that melts in your mouth.

Fragrant butter and vanilla intermingle, creating an aroma that whispers of warm kitchens and cherished traditions.

Simple ingredients combine to craft these elegant cookies that look more complex than their straightforward preparation suggests.

Lightweight and crisp, they offer a perfect companion to afternoon tea or a quiet moment of personal reflection.

Roll up your sleeves and let’s transform basic pantry staples into these magical, thin-rolled delicacies that spark joy with every bite.

What’s Special About Clothespin Cookies

• Craft with Precision: Detailed steps and specific techniques ensure perfect cookie formation, making this recipe a delightful baking challenge for those who love mastering intricate desserts.
• Nostalgic Charm: Traditional clothespin method creates unique cookie shapes that evoke childhood memories and add a whimsical touch to classic pastry making.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Raspberry cream filling and cinnamon-sugar coating offer a gourmet twist that appeals to both kids and adults, perfect for family gatherings or special occasions.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Dough can be prepared in advance and refrigerated, allowing flexible preparation and reducing day-of stress when planning desserts for gatherings.

What You’ll Need for Clothespin Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundational dry ingredient that provides structure to the delicate cookie shells.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds a smooth sweetness and contributes to the tender texture of the cookies.
• Cold Butter: Creates flaky layers and provides rich flavor to the cookie dough.
• Egg Yolk: Helps bind the ingredients and adds richness to the cookie base.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with its warm, sweet aroma.

• Marshmallow Cream: Provides a light, fluffy base for the cookie filling.
• Raspberry Jam: Adds a fruity, tangy element to the sweet filling.
• Cream Cheese: Brings a creamy, smooth texture and subtle tanginess to the filling.

• Powdered Sugar, Granulated Sugar, Ground Cinnamon: Create a sweet and aromatic coating that adds a final layer of flavor and visual appeal to the finished cookies.

Baking Clothespin Cookies Step by Step

Step 1: Prepare Buttery Dough

Create a smooth dough foundation by sifting flour and powdered sugar together in a large mixing bowl. Ensure no lumps remain for a silky texture. Chill butter and cut into tiny cubes, then work into the flour mixture using your fingertips or a pastry cutter until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Gently mix in egg yolk and vanilla extract, blending just until the dough barely comes together. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.

Step 2: Chill and Rest the Dough

Wrap the dough in plastic film and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This crucial resting period allows flavors to develop and helps the dough firm up, making it easier to handle and shape.

Step 3: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Create a lightly floured work surface for rolling out the dough.

Step 4: Shape Elegant Cookies

Roll the chilled dough to approximately 1/4-inch thickness on the floured surface. Cut into neat rectangular strips. Carefully wrap each strip around a clothespin or narrow metal form, creating delicate cookie shells.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Arrange shaped cookies on prepared baking sheets, leaving slight space between each. Bake for 12-15 minutes, rotating the pan midway to ensure even golden browning. Watch carefully to prevent over-browning.

Step 6: Create Creamy Filling

• Marshmallow cream
• Raspberry jam
• Cream cheese

Ensure the filling is creamy and well-combined.

Step 7: Fill and Coat Cookies

• Powdered sugar
• Granulated sugar
• Ground cinnamon

Gently roll filled cookies in the sugar blend, creating a delicate, sweet exterior.

Step 8: Final Presentation

Arrange cookies on a serving platter. If desired, dust with additional cinnamon-sugar blend for extra elegance. Store in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their delightful texture.

Tips for Nailing Clothespin Cookies

• Perfectly Chill Butter: Cut cold butter into uniform small cubes to ensure smooth, even mixing with dry ingredients and create a tender cookie texture.
• Gentle Dough Handling: Mix dough minimally to prevent tough cookies, stopping just when ingredients combine for a delicate, flaky result.
• Strategic Rolling Technique: Roll dough to consistent 1/4-inch thickness on lightly floured surface to guarantee even baking and uniform cookie shape.
• Smart Clothespin Wrapping: Wrap dough strips carefully around clothespins, ensuring smooth, tight coverage without tearing for professional-looking pastries.
• Filling and Coating Finesse: Pipe filling smoothly into cooled cookie shells and roll gently in cinnamon-sugar mixture for a delicate, even coating that enhances flavor and presentation.

Clothespin Cookie Flavor Ideas to Try

• Nutty Clothespin Cookies: Add finely chopped pecans or almonds to the dough for extra crunch and rich, toasted flavor.
• Chocolate-Dipped Delight: Melt dark chocolate and dip half of each cookie, then sprinkle with chopped hazelnuts or sea salt.
• Lemon Cream Variation: Replace vanilla extract with lemon zest and fill with a tangy lemon cream cheese mixture for bright, citrusy notes.
• Chocolate Hazelnut Sandwich: Swap raspberry filling with Nutella and garnish with crushed hazelnuts for an indulgent treat.

Sweet Pairings for Clothespin Cookies

• Delightful Flavor Companions: Raspberry Elegance Pairing
• Serve these delicate clothespin cookies alongside a chilled glass of rosé wine, which complements the raspberry filling's sweet-tart profile and enhances the cookie's delicate texture.
• Creamy Coffee Contrast
• Match these cookies with a smooth, rich cappuccino or latte, allowing the coffee's deep notes to balance the sweet, creamy marshmallow and raspberry filling while providing a luxurious contrast.
• Herbal Tea Harmony
• Brew a light lavender or chamomile tea to accompany these cookies, creating a gentle, aromatic experience that softens the sweetness and adds a sophisticated herbal undertone to each bite.

Keeping Clothespin Cookies Fresh

• Place cooled Clothespin Cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain crispness. Seal tightly to preserve their delicate texture.
• Carefully wrap individual cookies or entire batch in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 3 months for long-term storage. Thaw at room temperature for best taste and texture.
• Keep cookies in sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days. Ensure environment is cool and dry to prevent moisture buildup that could soften the delicate pastry.
• Separate filled and unfilled cookies when storing. Cream cheese and marshmallow filling may reduce shelf life, so consume within 2-3 days when filled. Store filling separately if planning longer preservation.

All Your Clothespin Cookies Questions Answered

• Why use cold butter in this recipe?

Cold butter creates flaky, tender layers by preventing complete butter melting during mixing, which helps maintain the delicate texture of the clothespin cookies.

• Can I use margarine instead of butter?

No, butter provides the essential rich flavor and proper texture that margarine cannot replicate in this traditional cookie recipe.

• How thin should I roll the dough?

Roll the dough to approximately 1/4-inch thickness to ensure even baking and consistent cookie structure that will hold the filling well.

• What if I don't have clothespins for shaping?

You can use narrow metal cannoli forms or carefully wrap the dough around the handle of a wooden spoon as an alternative shaping method.

Clothespin Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 42-45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Crisp and buttery clothespin cookies spiral with classic Italian charm, delivering sweet nostalgia in each delicate bite. Pastry lovers will adore these delightful treats that melt perfectly with coffee or tea, inviting memories of cherished family gatherings.

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Ingredients

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Cookies Base:

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Filling:

• 1 cup marshmallow cream
• 1/2 cup raspberry jam
• 1/4 cup cream cheese

Coating/Topping:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Chill the butter and cube it into small, uniform pieces for easier mixing with the dry ingredients.
2. In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour and powdered sugar to eliminate any lumps and create a smooth base.
3. Add the cold butter cubes to the flour mixture, using a pastry cutter or your fingertips to blend until the texture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
4. Incorporate the egg yolk and vanilla extract, gently mixing until the dough just comes together without overworking.
5. Wrap the dough in plastic film and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up and enhance flavor development.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to approximately 1/4-inch thickness.
8. Cut the dough into rectangular strips, wrapping each around a clothespin or narrow metal form.
9. Arrange the shaped cookies on prepared baking sheets, spacing them slightly apart.
10. Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges are lightly golden, rotating the pan halfway through for even browning.
11. Allow cookies to cool completely on wire racks before carefully removing from clothespins.
12. Blend marshmallow cream, raspberry jam, and cream cheese until smooth and creamy for the filling.
13. Carefully pipe or spoon the filling into the cooled cookie shells.
14. Combine powdered sugar, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon in a shallow dish.
15. Gently roll filled cookies in the sugar mixture, ensuring an even, delicate coating.
16. Arrange on a serving platter and dust with additional cinnamon-sugar blend if desired.
17. Store in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain texture.

Notes

• Chill butter thoroughly to ensure a flaky, tender cookie texture that melts in your mouth.
• Sifting flour and powdered sugar prevents clumping and creates a smoother, more delicate dough consistency.
• Use cold ingredients to maintain structural integrity and prevent spreading during baking.
• Avoid overworking the dough to keep cookies light and crumbly, mixing just until ingredients combine.
• Experiment with alternative fillings like chocolate ganache, lemon curd, or almond cream for unique flavor variations.
• Gluten-free bakers can substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend for similar results.
• Room temperature cookies are best for filling to prevent cracking and ensure smooth assembly.
• Freeze unfilled cookies for up to a month, allowing quick dessert preparation when unexpected guests arrive.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 215
• Sugar: 19 g
• Sodium: 54 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1.5 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg