Description
Clothespin Cookies are delicate, buttery treats shaped like clothespins and filled with sweet raspberry or apricot jam. Lightly dusted with powdered sugar, these cookies offer a perfect balance of crisp texture and fruity filling, making them an ideal dessert or tea-time snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus extra for dusting
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Filling
- 1/2 cup raspberry or apricot jam
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth dough.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually stir in the all-purpose flour and salt, mixing well after each addition to form a consistent dough.
- Shape Dough: Shape the dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball into a 3-inch rope to prepare for twisting.
- Form Clothespin Shape: Twist each rope into a clothespin shape and place them on the prepared baking sheet spaced evenly.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the cookies turn lightly golden brown around the edges.
- Indent Centers: Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press the handle of a wooden spoon into the center of each cookie to create an indentation for the jam filling.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool completely on wire racks to prevent them from breaking when adding jam.
- Fill With Jam: Once cooled, spoon raspberry or apricot jam into the indentation of each cookie, adding a burst of fruity flavor.
- Dust and Serve: Optionally dust the filled cookies with additional powdered sugar before serving for a pretty finish.
Notes
- Be sure to cool the cookies completely before adding jam to avoid melting and spreading.
- You can substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds to vary the flavor and crunch.
- For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- Use a piping bag for a neater jam filling application.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
