Frozen puff pastry makes these cream-filled treats a breeze to prepare.
BHG / Cara Cormack
Lady locks are light, airy pastry cookies filled with a decadent pastry cream.
Shape-wise, they’re likecannoli, but with a softer exterior and fluffier interior.
Credit:BHG / Cara Cormack
What Are Lady Locks?
They’re a particularly popular item for Christmas celebrations and weddings in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
In a medium heavy saucepan stir together sugar, flour, and salt.
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Gradually stir in half-and-half.
Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly.
Cook and stir for 1 minute more.
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Gradually stir half of the hot mixture into beaten egg yolks.
Return all of the egg yolk mixture to saucepan.
Bring to a gentle boil; reduce heat.
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Cook and stir for 2 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
Transfer to a bowl.
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Cover surface with plastic wrap.
Place bowl of Pastry Cream in a bowl of ice water; chill for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Cover surface with plastic wrap.
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Chill about 4 hours or until cold; do not stir.
In a chilled small mixing bowl beat whipping cream until soft peaks form.
Gradually fold whipped cream into cooled pastry cream; chill well before using.
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Preheat oven to 425F.
Line a baking sheet withparchment paper.
On a lightly floured surface unfold and roll one puff pastry sheet into a 12x10-inch rectangle.
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Cut each sheet crosswise into sixteen 10x3/4-inch strips.
Wrap each strip of dough around a greased cream horn mold or cannoli tube*, overlapping layers slightly.
Arrange on prepared pan spacing 1 inch apart.
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In a small bowl beat together egg white and water.
Brush over pastries and sprinkle with sugar.
Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until golden.
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Transfer to a wire rack.
While still warm, slightly twist the molds and remove from pastry horns.
Cool on a wire rack.
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Repeat with remaining puff pastry sheet.
Transfer chilled pastry cream to a pastry bag with a large open star tip.
Pipe cream into each pastry.
If desired, chill up to 1 hour.
The filling may also start to break down or weep over time.
If possible, fill only as many as you need for your event, leaving a few unfilled.
Can I Make Lady Locks Ahead?
you could also freeze them for up to one month for longer storage.
Keep cold until ready to pipe, and assemble the lady locks up to an hour before serving.
Lady locks should be assembled and refrigerated no more than an hour ahead of serving for the best texture.
You may know these cookies as lady locks, clothespin cookies, or cream horns.
Whatever you call them, they’re certainly delicious!
2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
