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