Lady Locks Recipe

Lady Locks, also known as cream horns, are a sweet, delicate pastry that will transport you straight to the bakery of your dreams. These little treats are light, flaky, and filled with a rich, creamy filling that’s almost too good to be true. Imagine biting into a crisp, golden pastry shell, then being greeted with a smooth, sweet cream filling that just melts in your mouth. They’re perfect for tea parties, special occasions, or whenever you want to treat yourself to something indulgent. Trust me, once you make these, you’ll be hooked!

Why You’ll Love Lady Locks

• Elegant & Delicious: These pastries are fancy enough for a special event but simple enough to make at home. The perfect combination of elegance and deliciousness!
• Flaky & Buttery: The pastry is incredibly flaky and buttery, creating a perfect balance with the rich cream filling.
• Customizable: While the classic filling is divine, you can also add a hint of vanilla, almond, or even chocolate to the cream for a little extra flair.
• Impressive: These pastries might seem complicated, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be impressing everyone with your pastry skills!

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these irresistible Lady Locks:

• Puff Pastry: The key to that light, flaky texture. You can use store-bought puff pastry to save time and effort.
• Heavy Cream: For that rich, creamy filling that’s just the right amount of indulgent.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens up the cream without being too overpowering.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a depth of flavor to the cream filling.
• Butter: Adds richness to the pastry.
• Egg: Helps to give the pastry a beautiful golden finish.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken the cream filling.
• Optional Garnish: Powdered sugar for dusting on top to give your Lady Locks a pretty, finished look.

(Note: The full ingredient list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

Instructions

Let’s dive into how to make these elegant and delicious Lady Locks:

1. Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make clean-up easier.

2. Roll Out the Puff Pastry:

Unroll your puff pastry and, if necessary, roll it out lightly on a floured surface to smooth out any creases. Cut the dough into strips (about 1-inch wide). The length of the strips will depend on how large you want your Lady Locks to be. You’ll need to wrap these strips around your baking forms, so make sure the strips are long enough.

3. Prepare the Baking Forms:

If you don’t have special Lady Lock baking forms, you can use any thin cylindrical shape—think of clean kitchen tools like wooden spoons or metal skewers. Grease the forms lightly with butter or cooking spray to help the pastries come off easily after baking.

4. Shape the Pastry:

Take one strip of puff pastry and wrap it around your prepared forms. Overlap the edges slightly to ensure it stays intact while baking. Repeat this process with the remaining strips. Be sure to leave a little space between the pastries on the baking sheet.

5. Bake the Pastry:

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed up. Once baked, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool slightly. Once cool enough to handle, carefully slide the pastries off the forms.

6. Make the Cream Filling:

While the pastries are cooling, prepare the cream filling. In a medium saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. In a separate bowl, whisk together cornstarch, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Once the cream is simmering, slowly pour the cornstarch mixture into the cream, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook the mixture for another 2-3 minutes, until it thickens up and becomes creamy.

7. Cool the Filling:

Remove the thickened cream mixture from the heat and let it cool to room temperature. Once cooled, place the mixture in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to firm up further.

8. Fill the Pastries:

Once both the pastry shells and the cream filling have cooled, it’s time to assemble! Using a piping bag or a spoon, fill each Lady Lock pastry with the creamy filling. Be generous, but not too much to avoid spilling over the sides.

9. Finish and Serve:

Once filled, dust the tops of your Lady Locks with powdered sugar to give them that beautiful, elegant finish. Serve them up and prepare for a lot of compliments!

Nutrition Facts

Servings: 12
Calories per serving: 180
Total Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 40mg
Sodium: 50mg
Total Carbohydrates: 17g
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Sugars: 6g
Protein: 2g

Preparation Time

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes (plus cooling time)

How to Serve Lady Locks

• Perfect for Parties: These elegant pastries are ideal for bridal showers, tea parties, or holiday gatherings. They add a touch of sophistication to any event.
• A Treat with Coffee or Tea: Serve them with a hot cup of tea or coffee for a decadent dessert or afternoon snack.
• Special Occasions: These are perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or any celebration where you want to impress your guests with a little extra love and care.

Additional Tips

• Keep Them Crisp: Lady Locks are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store them in an airtight container. If they get too soft, you can crisp them up again by baking them in a 350°F oven for a few minutes.
• Experiment with Fillings: If you want to get creative, feel free to swap out the cream filling for something like mascarpone, lemon curd, or even chocolate mousse.
• Make It Dairy-Free: You can use a dairy-free cream and a dairy-free butter to make a more inclusive version of this dessert for those with dietary restrictions.

FAQ Section

Q1: Can I use store-bought puff pastry?
A1: Yes, store-bought puff pastry works perfectly for this recipe and will save you time, so go ahead and use it!

Q2: Can I make Lady Locks without the baking forms?
A2: Yes! If you don’t have special baking forms, you can simply wrap the dough around wooden spoons, skewers, or any thin cylindrical object you have on hand.

Q3: How do I store Lady Locks?
A3: Lady Locks are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store them in an airtight container for 1-2 days. If they become soft, just pop them in the oven for a few minutes to re-crisp.

Q4: Can I freeze Lady Locks?
A4: You can freeze the unfilled pastry shells for up to a month. When you’re ready to serve, bake them and fill them with the cream mixture when cooled.

Q5: How do I make the cream filling thicker?
A5: To thicken the filling, you can add a little extra cornstarch or cook it a bit longer until it reaches the desired consistency.

Q6: Can I make a different flavor of filling?
A6: Yes! Feel free to experiment with flavored fillings like lemon, chocolate, or almond. Just make sure the filling is thick enough to hold its shape inside the pastry.

Q7: Can I make Lady Locks ahead of time?
A7: Yes! You can prepare the pastry shells and filling ahead of time, store them separately, and assemble just before serving.

Q8: Can I add toppings to the Lady Locks?
A8: Absolutely! You can top them with chopped pistachios, chocolate chips, or even a drizzle of chocolate syrup for extra flair.

Q9: What can I use if I don’t have cornstarch for the filling?
A9: If you don’t have cornstarch, you can use flour as a thickening agent, but cornstarch gives the cream a smoother, silkier texture.

Q10: How can I make the cream filling lighter?
A10: You can fold whipped cream into the filling to give it a fluffier texture if you prefer a lighter version.

Conclusion

Lady Locks are the perfect combination of elegance and indulgence. With their flaky pastry shell and creamy filling, they’re sure to impress at any occasion. Whether you’re preparing for a special gathering or treating yourself to something sweet, these delightful pastries will leave everyone asking for more. So, roll out that puff pastry, whip up that creamy filling, and get ready to enjoy a bite of pastry perfection!

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