Clothespin Cookies II are a delightful treat that combines a buttery, flaky dough with a sweet filling of nuts and brown sugar. These cookies are a holiday favorite and are sure to be a hit at any gathering. With a preparing time of just 45 minutes, you can quickly whip up a batch of these delicious cookies whenever you're craving a sweet treat. This recipe yields about 24 cookies, so there are plenty to share with family and friends.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, powdered sugar, and salt until light and fluffy.
- Gradually add in the flour, mixing well after each addition.
- Divide the dough into two equal parts and shape each part into a disk. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, combine the finely chopped nuts, brown sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract.
- Remove one disk of dough from the refrigerator and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8 inch thickness.
- Using a cookie cutter or a glass, cut out circles of dough, each about 2 inches in diameter.
- Place a teaspoon of the nut filling in the center of each circle of dough.
- Fold the dough in half over the filling, pressing the edges to seal.
- Gently pinch the ends of the folded dough together to create a teardrop shape.
- Place the shaped cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between them.
- Repeat the process with the remaining dough and filling.
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container.