Any ladylocks makers in the Triangle?

[amweigl]

I just eloped. My friends are throwing me and my husband a small party next month. They are indulging my need for the Western PA tradition of a cookie table.

Back home, they always have not only a cake but a table overflowing with cookies made by the aunts, grandmothers, cousins of both families. It's like funeral food; each woman brings her A-game and becomes known for her cookie table contribution.

Lady locks are a cookie table staple. I've never made them. They are twisted cylinders of puff pastry filled with cream. I'm trying to find someone, maybe a grandmother who migrated down here to be close to the grandchildren, who can teach me or at least offer advice.

Any help would be much appreciated!

[romansperson]

Funny this thread should come up again. I was just back in Cleveland a couple months ago and noticed the little bakery I go to to get my Italian bread fix also had ladylocks.

[deebelle]

I found this at the Tribune review and it sounds like the real thing.

Reader has had Lady Locks recipe for two decades
...Lady Locks 4 cups all-purpose flour, divided 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 cup plus
1 tablespoon granulated sugar, divided 1/2 cup (1 stick) margarine 1/2 cup ...

www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtr... - January 4, 2006

[Soty]

Here is a link to an NPR article about the cookie table tradition with a recipe for lady locks and others. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/st...

[amweigl]

Oh my gosh! Thank you all --- or should I say yunz --- so much for all the advice. I'm going to make my first practice run this weekend. I'll report back. That Tribune-Review recipe looks promising. Maybe I can call the food editor for advice.

[Shag Waits]

What a blast from the past. My mom used to make lady locks. I was too young to appreciate them. She also made some Italian cookies in the shape of knots that used that tall skinny bottle of Galliano liquor.

Go Steelers,
Pittsburgh Yinzer

[ladylockman]

I am curious how the ladylock making went. I am from Pittsburgh and am starting a bakery or coffee shop with ladylocks being my main focus. They are hard to make and hard to find good ones and I have been told numerous times that mine are the best. I have made 400 to 500 dozen in my kitchen for Christmas for the last three years and am now in a position to start going full tilt with commercial equipment. Let me know where you live and I can send you some to get your opinion of them.

[BusyBeeBalto]

Ladylockman - I'm curious if your business has started yet. I too am a former Pittsburger and cannot find a good lady lock to save my life here in Baltimore. Would love to find some yummy treats this way, even if they are mailed.

[josephin]

The Pittsburgh recipe looks promising. Let us know how it turns out! I haven't even HEARD that word in 25 years, but well remember them at our little neighborhood bakery in South Jersey. Sugar bombs!

[Leepa]

There are a bunch of lady locks recipes here:

http://www.cooks.com/rec/search/0,1-0...

[Delphine]

Hi,
If you go to the Pittsburgh Tribune Review website you will find your recipe for lady locks. It's the only recipe that I have that I have that I need a clothes pin for. I'm not sure how to attach a link and I do apologize. I live in Southern California and no one out here has ever heard if them.
I'm sure you will have a wonderful wedding and lady locks on your cookie table will make it even more perfect.

[romansperson]

The Tribune's recipe is here:

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitts...

I have a recipe they published for strawberry cassata cake, another thing you can't get here. It's the real deal!

[Suzy Q]

Ooooh, love cassata cake. I did see some at Hayes Barton a few weeks ago. May have been a special order, because I've only seen it the one time, and I didn't try it, but it sure did look good.

[romansperson]

Was it a strawberry cassata, with a custard and sliced strawberry filling and whipped cream icing? Because the only place I've ever seen it made that way is where I grew up. I'd love to be able to get it here - it's a two-day affair to make one.

[lawyerlady]

romansperson, not sure this is what you want but at ny bagel and deli on falls of neuse, they make a strawberry cake with whipped cream frosting, custard filling with sliced strawberries. i got one. it was good. you may want to check it out.
http://www.newyorkbagelsanddeli.com/

[romansperson]

Thanks for the tip - I'll call and ask them about it. The cake itself is just a regular white or yellow cake (not strawberry flavored) but I'd be happy to take anything that's close!

[lawyerlady]

yes yes it's a regular yellow cake with a vanilla custard with fresh cut strawberries in the custard and whipped cream frosting. sounds like what you may be looking for! it was very good.

[romansperson]

Yes, it IS very good, hence my search - I'll definitely give them a call!

[TarheelYankee]

I did a quick google on "ladylocks" because I've never heard of it... but it looks like it's the same thing as a "creme horn"?

Is there a difference? If not, I know I've seen them in bakeries in Cary and surrounding areas.

Congratulations on the wedding though!

[rockycat]

No help on the cookies, but...
Yee-haw! Congrats!

[mkmccp]

Wish I could help but I had to give you a congrats on your wedding (what, no firehall for the reception?) I love that you are "getting back to your roots" and having a cookie table - maybe a Pgh bakery can make the puff pastry part and freeze, then ship to you on dry ice? Probably too fragile. My aunt makes them for Christmas and she pre-makes the pastry, freezes them, and then fills them later. Oh, I need some now but sadly I don't live in the 'burgh anymore, either. They have them where I live but not the same. I think its the Pgh water that does it ;)

[Suzy Q]

I've never heard of a lady lock! Sounds good, though. Perhaps you could go to a decent bakery in town armed with a recipe or maybe some links, and they could work something up for you?

I'm going to keep an eye on this thread. I love learning about something new.