Clothespin Cookies Recipe

Alright, let’s talk Clothespin Cookies. If you’ve never had one, imagine this: a flaky, buttery pastry shell, rolled in sugar, baked until golden, and then filled with the dreamiest, fluffiest, vanilla cream filling you could ever imagine. Basically, if a cannoli and a cream puff had a love child, this would be it. 😍

Now, I’ll be honest—these cookies aren’t the fastest treat to whip up. They take a bit of time, a little patience, and yeah… a clothespin or twelve. But is it worth it? Oh, absolutely. So, let’s roll up those sleeves, crank up the 80s playlist (or whatever fuels your baking fire), and get into the sweetest nostalgia trip your kitchen’s ever had.

What Are Clothespin Cookies Anyway?

Clothespin cookies (sometimes called “lady locks” or “cream horns”) are a vintage-style cookie made by wrapping strips of dough around—you guessed it—clothespins (or metal molds, if you’re fancy like that). Once baked, you pipe in a sweet cream filling, and boom—you’ve got yourself a pastry that looks like it came straight from grandma’s Christmas tray.

Why people love them:

• Crispy and flaky pastry shell
• Light, marshmallowy filling
• Totally Instagram-worthy (if you’re into that)

And no, they don’t actually taste like clothespins. Promise. 😅

Ingredients You’ll Need for Clothespin Cookies

For the Cookie Shells:

• 2 cups unsalted butter (softened but not melted)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup heavy cream
• Granulated sugar (for rolling)

Yep, that’s it. Just three ingredients. Told you the dough was easy.

For the Filling:

• 1 cup unsalted butter (room temp, again)
• ½ cup vegetable shortening
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• ⅓ cup marshmallow fluff
• 2–3 tbsp heavy cream or milk

FYI: Some people use meringue powder or whipped cream, but this filling? This one’s a keeper. Trust me.

Let’s Get Baking: Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Make the Dough

Mix the butter and flour until crumbly. Add heavy cream and knead until it becomes a soft dough. Chill for at least 1 hour. (No cheating here—it has to chill or it’ll stick like glue to your clothespins.)

Step 2: Prepare the Clothespins

Wrap your wooden clothespins (not the spring-loaded kind, please) in foil. You can also use cream horn molds or dowels if you’ve got them lying around.

Pro tip: Don’t use naked wooden pins unless you enjoy eating splinters.

Step 3: Roll and Cut the Dough

Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface until it’s about 1/8 inch thick. Cut into ½-inch wide strips, then wrap each strip around your foil-covered pin, slightly overlapping as you go.

Step 4: Sugarcoat It

Roll each wrapped pin in granulated sugar. This gives the cookie shell that gorgeous sparkle and adds a sweet crunch. Win-win.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Place them on a parchment-lined tray and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 12–15 minutes, or until they’re lightly golden.

Let them cool completely before you even think about removing the clothespins. Otherwise, they’ll collapse like your weekend plans.

Step 6: Make That Filling

Beat the butter and shortening until fluffy. Add vanilla, powdered sugar, marshmallow fluff, and just enough cream to make it silky smooth.

Warning: You will be tempted to eat this with a spoon. I support your decisions.

Step 7: Fill ‘Em Up

Once your cookie shells are cool and free of their clothespin corsets, pipe in the filling using a pastry bag. If you don’t have one, a zip-top bag with the corner snipped works just fine.

Let’s Talk Storage (If They Last That Long…)

You can keep filled cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. They’re best eaten within the first 2–3 days, though, because the shells can start to soften over time.

Unfilled shells? Freeze them! Wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Just defrost and fill when you’re ready for round two.

Tips & Tricks to Nail This Recipe

Wanna avoid any “Pinterest fails”? Here’s what I’ve learned the hard way:

• Chill that dough like it’s got anxiety. Warm dough = sticky disaster.
• Wrap tightly but not too tight. Dough should overlap slightly, but not be strangling the pin.
• Use foil unless you enjoy scrubbing butter-soaked clothespins for hours.
• Pipe filling right before serving if you’re making them for an event.
• Dust with powdered sugar if you’re feeling extra fancy.

Clothespin Cookies: Classic vs. Modern Fillings

Classic Marshmallow Filling

Sweet, fluffy, and totally nostalgic. This one takes you back to grandma’s kitchen in one bite.

Custard or Whipped Cream Fillings

Lighter, airier versions—but definitely not as stable. These are better for small batches you’ll eat right away. (As if you wouldn’t.)

Flavored Fillings

Add a twist by mixing in:

• Crushed Oreos
• Raspberry jam swirl
• Espresso powder
• Lemon zest
• Almond extract

Ever tried peanut butter cream in these? Sounds weird, but it slaps. Just sayin’.

The Weird Joy of Baking With Clothespins

Let’s just acknowledge how strange it is that clothespins ended up as a legit baking tool. Somewhere along the line, someone looked at a laundry item and went, “Hmm… I could bake with this.” And you know what? I respect that energy.

Honestly, once you get the hang of wrapping and baking them, it’s oddly satisfying. Like, there’s something therapeutic about lining up a tray full of those golden spirals.

FAQs about Clothespin Cookies

Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely. It chills well for up to 3 days.

Q: Can I use puff pastry instead of homemade dough?
You can, but IMO it changes the texture. You’ll get more of a croissant vibe than a classic cookie shell.

Q: Do I really need clothespins?
If you don’t have them, grab cream horn molds or even greased metal dowels. But hey—if you’re committed to the “clothespin” name, might as well go full vintage.

Q: Can I skip the sugar roll?
Technically yes. But do you really want to miss out on that sweet crunch? Didn’t think so.

Related Recipes

• Easy Caramel Apple Dip Recipe
• Best Chocolate Covered Pretzels Recipe
• Protein-Packed Peanut Butter Brownies Recipe

Final Thoughts about Clothespin Cookies

Are clothespin cookies high-maintenance? Sure.
Do they require tools you probably haven’t used since laundry day? Yep.
Will people rave about them for weeks and beg for the recipe? You bet your sweet spatula they will. 🙂

So whether you’re making these for the holidays, a bridal shower, or just because you’re feeling like channeling your inner Betty Crocker, Clothespin Cookies are 100% worth the effort. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you when you end up “taste-testing” ten of them before anyone else gets a bite.