Description
Clothespin Cookies are delightful buttery treats shaped into charming clothespin forms and filled with sweet raspberry or apricot jam. These tender, crumbly cookies are lightly dusted with powdered sugar, making them perfect for tea time or special occasions.
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 and allow even baking.
- Cream Butter Mixture: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth texture for the cookies.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the creamed mixture, mixing well after each addition to develop the dough evenly without overworking it.
- Form Dough Ropes: Shape the dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball into approximately 3-inch ropes to create the distinctive clothespin shapes.
- Create Clothespin Shape: Twist each rope into a clothespin-like form and place them spaced apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden brown around the edges, indicating they are cooked perfectly.
- Indent Centers: Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press an indentation into the center of each cookie using the handle of a wooden spoon, which helps hold the jam filling.
- Cool Cookies: Transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely, ensuring they firm up before filling.
- Fill with Jam: Once cooled, spoon raspberry or apricot jam into the indentations of each cookie, adding a burst of sweet fruit flavor.
- Final Touch: Lightly dust the cookies with powdered sugar before serving to add an elegant finish and a touch of sweetness.
Notes
- You can substitute chopped pecans with walnuts or almonds for a different nutty flavor.
- Ensure the butter is softened at room temperature for easier creaming and a smoother dough.
- Use any jam flavor you prefer to customize your cookies.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Make sure the cookies are completely cool before adding jam to prevent it from melting or running.
