Lady Locks are the showpiece of a Pittsburgh cookie table at weddings. This is a flaky cookie with a sweet, creamy filling. A recipe from Seduction in the Kitchen.
It is no secret that I am proud of my birthplace, Pittsburgh. I may live in Cleveland, but Pittsburgh is my home. One Pittsburgh tradition I found out is exclusive to Pittsburgh is a cookie table at a wedding.
What is a cookie table? Well, people bring homemade cookies to the wedding, put on a table and as they wait for the bride and groom to make their entrance, you munch on the cookies and drink a drink. I always thought this was standard at weddings until I moved to Cleveland.
I do know these cookie tables are becoming popular across the USA. In fact, there were 2 articles wrote about this tradition, one was in the NY Times the other in the National Post. I am writing up a post for Parade’s Community table for the wedding cookie table. In my quest for links, I discovered no one had the one cookie that is a must at a wedding cookie table, the Lady Lock. Every wedding has to have this homemade goodie. They also called cream horns or clothespins, because if you do not have the metal cones to make the shells, foil around old fashion wooden
In my quest for links, I discovered no one had the one cookie that is a must at a wedding cookie table, the Lady Lock. Every wedding has to have this homemade goodie. They also called cream horns or clothespins, because if you do not have the metal cones to make the shells, foil around old fashion wooden
In my quest for links, I discovered no one had the one cookie that is a must at a wedding cookie table, the Lady Lock. Every wedding has to have this homemade goodie. They also called cream horns or clothespins, because if you do not have the metal cones to make the shells, foil around old fashion wooden clothespins work well, thus giving to the name clothespin cookies.
These cookies truly are a labor of love, they take a little bit of work but they are worth it. I guess that why the grandmothers seem to make these for the cookie tables, it the love they have for the couple to make this wonderful, flaky cookie. When I was married, my neighbor growing up made the lady locks for my cookie table. I asked for the recipe because I was in love with them, she gave it to me.
I have had the recipe on an index card for 10 years. Had I stayed married, I would be married 10 years, that is mind boggling to me, it means I been divorced 7 years. Funny how things turn out, huh?
My next marriage, if I have one, I will for sure have a cookie table, even if I am still here in Cleveland. You can take the girl out of Pittsburgh, but can not take the Pittsburgh out the girl. In order to do a Pittsburgh cookie table post, one needs lady locks, so I dusted off that recipe and made lady locks. Plus I got to use my new camera, I am so in love with this camera.
- 4 cups all-purpose flour divided
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 cup ⁄2 plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar divided
- 1 cup ⁄2 margarine 1 stick
- 1 cup ⁄2 vegetable shortening
- 2 teaspoons butter
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar
- 2 cups milk
- 4 teaspoons heaping all-purpose flour
- 1 cup margarine at room temperature, 2 sticks
- 1 cup ⁄2 vegetable shortening
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- Dash salt
- Sift together 3 1⁄2 cups flour, the baking powder and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar. Add the margarine, shortening and butter and cut in as for pie crust. Set aside.
- In a bowl, combine the egg yolks, evaporated milk, vanilla and yeast. Add to the flour mixture and mix well. Chill overnight.
- Heat the oven to 325 degrees.
- Working with small pieces of dough at a time, roll out on a board sprinkled with a mixture of 1⁄2 cup flour, 1⁄2 cup granulated sugar and the confectioners' sugar.
- Roll thinly, then cut into strips approximately 1⁄2-inch wide. Wrap on old-fashioned wooden clothespins that have been covered with foil and lightly greased, or use metal baking rods according to manufacturer's directions.
- Place on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 10 to 15 minutes. Carefully remove the shells from the pins immediately. Let cool, then fill the shells with the filling, using a pastry bag.
- Combine the milk and flour. Cook over low heat until thick. Cool completely.
- Beat the flour mixture, using an electric mixer. Add the margarine, vegetable shortening, sugar, vanilla and salt. Beat at high speed until light and fluffy.
Paula says
The cookie table is a great idea!! Can’t wait to try these.
Deanna Samaan says
Awesome! I love this tradition at weddings!