The Delightful Clothespin Cookies Recipe You’ll Love to Twist

Crispy, buttery clothespin cookies bring nostalgic charm to your dessert table with a delightful twist.

Grandmothers across mid-western kitchens perfected this delicate pastry decades ago.

Rolled around wooden dowels, these delicate treats capture childhood memories in each sweet bite.

Powdered sugar creates a cloud-like coating that melts instantly on your tongue.

Thin, crisp layers crunch with a subtle sweetness that whispers of home-baked comfort.

Baking these cookies requires patience and a gentle touch, transforming simple ingredients into elegant delicacies.

You’ll adore how these light, airy confections connect generations through a single, beautiful recipe.

Why Clothespin Cookies Are A Fun Throwback Favorite

• Craft with Ease: Minimal kitchen skills required, making these delicate cookies accessible for bakers of all levels.
• Impress Your Guests: Create stunning, elegant cookies that look professionally made with simple techniques and household tools.
• Versatile Dessert Delight: Perfect for afternoon tea, holiday gatherings, or as a sophisticated sweet treat that suits multiple occasions.
• Customize Your Creation: Experiment with different jam flavors and nut variations to personalize these classic European-style cookies.

What You’ll Need For Clothespin Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: A fundamental ingredient that provides structure and texture to the cookie base.
• Softened Butter: Helps create a rich, tender texture and adds delightful buttery flavor.
• Cream Cheese: Contributes a subtle tanginess and helps create a smooth, pliable dough.
• Powdered Sugar: Ensures a delicate sweetness and helps achieve a smooth cookie consistency.

• Raspberry Jam: Provides a fruity, vibrant flavor to the cookie's center.
• Ground Almonds: Adds nutty depth and creates a rich, textured filling component.

• Powdered Sugar, Vanilla Extract: Combine to create an elegant, sweet dusting that enhances the cookie's overall appearance and flavor.
• Wooden Clothespins: Serve as a unique shaping tool to create the cookie's distinctive curved form.

How To Make Clothespin Cookies From Scratch

Step 1: Blend Dough Ingredients

Mix flour, softened butter, cream cheese, and powdered sugar in a mixing bowl. Knead the mixture until it transforms into a smooth, soft dough that feels silky and pliable in your hands.

Step 2: Chill Dough

Wrap the prepared dough in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. Let it rest and develop deeper flavors for one full hour.

Step 3: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Ensure your workspace is clean and ready for cookie creation.

Step 4: Roll Out Dough

Sprinkle a light dusting of flour on your work surface. Roll the chilled dough into a thin sheet, aiming for about 1/8-inch thickness. The thinner the dough, the more delicate your cookies will be.

Step 5: Shape Cookie Strips

Cut the rolled dough into rectangular strips, measuring roughly 2 inches wide and 4 inches long. Precision helps create uniform, beautiful cookies.

Step 6: Prepare Almond-Raspberry Filling

Combine ground almonds with raspberry jam. Mix thoroughly to create a rich, textured filling that will add depth and excitement to your cookies.

Step 7: Wrap Cookies Around Clothespins

Place a wooden clothespin on each dough strip. Carefully wrap the dough around the clothespin, forming an elegant curved shape that will make your cookies unique.

Step 8: Add Filling

Spread a thin, tantalizing line of almond-raspberry filling along the center of each wrapped cookie strip.

Step 9: Arrange on Baking Sheets

Position the cookies on prepared baking sheets, making sure they do not touch each other. Give them space to bake and crisp up perfectly.

Step 10: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the preheated oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes, watching for light golden edges and a crisp appearance.

Step 11: Cool Completely

Remove cookies from the oven and transfer to wire racks. Allow them to cool down completely, letting the flavors settle and textures set.

Step 12: Dust with Sweet Coating

Create a delightful powdered sugar mixture by combining powdered sugar with a hint of vanilla extract. Generously dust the cooled cookies, creating an elegant, sweet finish.

Step 13: Serve and Enjoy

Gently remove the cookies from the clothespins once they are fully cooled. Arrange on a beautiful platter and serve these delicate, homemade treats to your delighted guests.

Tips For Perfect Clothespin Cookies Every Time

• Perfect Dough Consistency: Knead ingredients thoroughly to ensure a smooth, uniform texture without overworking the dough.
• Chill for Flavor Enhancement: Refrigerate dough for at least an hour to develop deeper flavors and improve structural integrity.
• Precise Rolling Technique: Use light, even pressure when rolling dough to maintain consistent 1/8-inch thickness for uniform baking.
• Filling Distribution Hack: Apply almond-raspberry filling sparingly to prevent leakage and ensure clean, neat cookie edges.
• Cooling and Dusting Mastery: Allow cookies to cool completely before removing from clothespins and generously dust with vanilla-infused powdered sugar for a professional finish.

Tasty Variations On Clothespin Cookies To Mix It Up

• Gluten-Free Clothespin Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond or rice flour for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the delicate texture.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Swap butter and cream cheese with coconut oil and vegan cream cheese to accommodate lactose-intolerant bakers.
• Nutty Chocolate Variation: Substitute raspberry jam with hazelnut spread and add crushed chocolate chips to the filling for a rich, indulgent treat.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use sugar-free jam and replace powdered sugar with a monk fruit sweetener to reduce overall sugar content while preserving the cookie's classic flavor profile.

What To Pair With Clothespin Cookies For A Sweet Bite

• Harmonize Sweet Flavors with Perfect Pairings
• Elevate Coffee Companion: Pair these delicate almond-raspberry clothespin cookies with a rich, medium-roast espresso or cappuccino that complements their buttery texture and fruity notes.
• Wine Tasting Adventure: Select a late-harvest Riesling or moscato wine, which offers sweet undertones that beautifully match the raspberry and almond filling, creating a luxurious dessert experience.
• Herbal Tea Elegance: Brew a delicate chamomile or lavender tea that provides a subtle floral backdrop, enhancing the cookies' delicate flavor profile and offering a soothing afternoon treat.
• Dessert Wine Indulgence: Enjoy a small glass of ruby port or sweet sherry, whose complex, rich notes will wonderfully contrast the light, crisp texture of the clothespin cookies.

How To Store Clothespin Cookies Without Crumbling

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper, separating layers to prevent sticking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, maintaining their delicate texture and flavor.
• Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to preserve their crisp texture.
• Place cookies in a sealed container with a loose-fitting lid, keeping them away from direct sunlight and humidity. Consume within 2-3 days for optimal freshness and taste.
• Warm cookies briefly in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes to restore their original crispness.

FAQs About Clothespin Cookies You’ll Want Handy

• Why do I need to use a clothespin for this recipe?

The clothespin helps create the unique curved shape of the cookies, giving them a traditional and elegant appearance typical of Eastern European pastry techniques.

• Can I substitute the ground almonds in the filling?

Yes, you can replace ground almonds with finely chopped nuts like walnuts or hazelnuts, but this might slightly alter the original flavor profile of the recipe.

• How thin should I roll out the dough?

Roll the dough to approximately 1/8-inch thickness, which ensures a delicate, crisp texture and allows the cookies to bake evenly without becoming too dense or heavy.

• Is cream cheese essential in the dough recipe?

Cream cheese adds richness and tenderness to the dough, helping create a more delicate and flaky cookie texture that’s characteristic of this traditional pastry.

Clothespin Cookies Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 12-15 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Nostalgic Polish “clothespin cookies” deliver sweet memories of grandma’s kitchen, weaving buttery pastry with delicate almond flavor. Crisp yet tender pastry rolls cradle rich filling, inviting you to savor a cherished family tradition with each delightful bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup cream cheese
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar

Filling:

• 1 cup raspberry jam
• 1/2 cup ground almonds

Topping:

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Combine flour, softened butter, cream cheese, and powdered sugar in a mixing bowl, kneading until a smooth, pliable dough forms.
2. Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour to firm up and enhance flavor development.
3. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
4. Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to approximately 1/8-inch thickness.
5. Cut the dough into rectangular strips, approximately 2 inches wide and 4 inches long.
6. Mix ground almonds into the raspberry jam to create a rich, textured filling.
7. Place a wooden clothespin on each dough strip and carefully wrap the dough around it, creating a delicate curved shape.
8. Spread a thin line of almond-raspberry filling along the center of each wrapped clothespin cookie.
9. Arrange the cookies on prepared baking sheets, ensuring they are not touching.
10. Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges turn light golden and cookies appear crisp.
11. Remove from oven and let cool completely on wire racks.
12. Dust generously with powdered sugar mixed with vanilla extract, creating an elegant, sweet coating.
13. Gently remove cookies from clothespins once fully cooled and serve.

Notes

• Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain the delicate clothespin shape during baking.
• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth dough consistency and easier mixing.
• Ground almonds add texture and depth to the raspberry jam filling, creating a more complex flavor profile.
• For gluten-free variation, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend, keeping the same measurements.
• Avoid overworking the dough to prevent tough cookies and maintain a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Experiment with different jam flavors like apricot or cherry for unique taste variations.
• Store cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper to preserve their delicate structure.
• Wooden clothespins work best when lightly greased to prevent sticking and easy cookie removal.

• Prep Time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 160
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg