Cloistered Nuns Sell Heavenly Confections

For children looking for the perfect gift for mom, the nuns at the Monastery of Angels sell some delectable tokens of confection.

Since 1965, the nuns have been quietly baking pumpkin bread and making a variety of hand-dipped chocolates. The prices are low and the quality is high. The pumpkin bread sells for $4.50 a loaf. The chocolates range in price from $6.50 to $10 a box.

“Hand-dipped chocolate has a special quality of its own,” said Sister Mary Thomas, the mother superior of the Dominican order. “We don’t make it in large quantities which (makes) it a special thing.”

And it’s no wonder that for years, customers from throughout the Southland have traveled to the nuns’ tiny gift shop, where they purchase such treats as mint patties, peanut butter creams, chocolate fudge and peanut brittle.

Built on a 3.8-acre parcel on Carmen Avenue, the monastery is nestled in Beechwood Canyon, tucked above the streets of Hollywood. The 25 cloistered sisters who live there lead a life of solitude, often rising at 5:30 a.m. to prepare for the day’s prayer. By 7:30 a.m., they are in the bakery, making bread and dipping the chocolates.

The nuns, one of Hollywood’s many secrets, use the profits from the shop as their means of support.

The breads and candies are sold only at the monastery. During holidays and other times of the year when demand is high, volunteers help staff the gift shop.

Without the help of glitzy ads or promotions, the nuns have built a loyal following by relying on word of mouth.

“There are so many places to stop (and buy candy) these days,” said Sister Mary, 74, who has lived at the monastery for 54 years. “We’re not so great on packaging, but it’s amazing how people get (hooked) and they can’t eat anything else.”

Monastery of the Angels, 1977 Carmen Ave., Hollywood. The gift shop is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and closed Sundays. Information: (213) 466-2186.