A Pittsburgh Cookie Table is a sweet tradition that adds a unique touch to your wedding celebrations! A beloved tradition for over 100 years, it features an elaborate spread of homemade cookies that are often baked by family and friends. Instead of relying solely on a wedding cake, couples showcase a variety of sweet treats, offering guests an irresistible dessert selection!
Whether you're planning your own wedding or helping a loved one prepare, this guide helps ensure that every guest will have a deliciously memorable experience.
Pittsburgh Cookie Table Wedding Tradition
The tradition of the Pittsburgh Cookie Table at weddings is believed to have originated with European immigrants who brought their baking customs to the United States. During the Great Depression, these communities saw cookie tables as a way for couples to have desserts for guests without having the high cost of a traditional wedding cake.
Over time, the tradition spread and became a beloved part of weddings in many regions, but specifically in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Whether you’re going for a grand display or you’re keeping it small, a well-thought-out cookie table brings a sense of homemade love to your celebration.
Planning Your Pittsburgh Cookie Table
Ready to wow your guests with a Pittsburgh Cookie Table? No matter how big or small your table will be, planning is key! A little organization ensures your cookie table is as delicious as it is stunning.
Plan for 2-3 Cookies per Guest
When determining how many cookies to have, aim for 2-3 cookies per guest. If you’re expecting 100 guests, that means at least 200-300 cookies! If you want to go big (because who doesn’t love extra cookies?), a larger display with 5-7 cookies per guest will make sure no one leaves disappointed and there will be plenty of leftovers for guests to take home.
Include a Variety of Recipes, Flavors and Textures
A great cookie table is all about variety. Think chewy, crunchy, chocolatey, fruity, you name it! Including different textures, flavors and sizes ensures that there’s something for everyone.
To keep things organized, it's helpful to coordinate with guests about what they’ll be bringing. You can create a sign-up sheet to avoid duplicates and ensure a well-rounded selection, or have specific types of cookies to assigned to different family members and friends. However you approach it, communication is key to making sure the cookie table is both abundant and diverse.
How to Display Your Cookie Table
Presentation matters! A well-arranged cookie table draws guests in and makes the display even more tempting. Use a variety of trays, platters, and tiered stands to create different heights and dimensions. This will add visual interest and makes it easier for guests to reach all the goodies.
For themes such as rustic weddings, consider wooden crates, vintage cake stands, or repurposed cutting boards for a charming touch. If you prefer a more polished look, glass platters, mirrored trays, and elegant tiered stands work beautifully. Before the big day comes, you can also try thrifting unique serving pieces like cupcake trays or decorative platters to add even more character to your display.
Organize with Labels and Add Signs
With so many cookies to choose from, guests will appreciate labels for each treat. Consider including who the cookies are from, the recipe name and the ingredients to help guests with dietary restrictions or allergies. These labels can be simple and elegant or fun and personalized to add even more charm to the event.
Include Take-Home Bags for Wedding Cookie Favors
Your loved ones will want to sample multiple cookies, but they might not have room after dinner to try them all! Provide small paper bags or boxes so they can take home their favorites. It’s an easy and thoughtful way to keep the celebration going even after the wedding ends and can double as a wedding guest favor.
Best Cookies for a Pittsburgh Cookie Table
Are you a guest looking for the perfect recipe to bring to a wedding with a Pittsburgh Cookie Table? Don’t worry, there’s lots of different flavors and styles you can choose from, and these sweet recipes are sure to be a hit!
REESE’S Candy Double Peanut Butter Cookies
A peanut butter lover’s dream! These soft and chewy cookies are packed with REESE’S Peanut Butter Chips and REESE’S Creamy Peanut Butter for the ultimate peanutty treat.
HERSHEY’S “PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE” Chocolate Chip Cookies
These classic “Perfectly Chocolate” chocolate chip cookies are made with HERSHEY’S Cocoa, HERSHEY’S SPECIAL DARK Mildly Sweet Chocolate Chips and chopped nuts for a rich and chewy dessert that’s guaranteed to be a crowd favorite.
KISSES Coconut Macaroon Blossoms
A tropical twist on the traditional blossom! These macaroons are made with chewy coconut and topped with HERSHEY’S KISSES Milk Chocolate Candies for the sweetest addition to a summertime celebration.
Cinnamon Chip Snickerdoodles
These snickerdoodle cookies are extra special with HERSHEY’S Cinnamon Chips, giving guests a warm, spiced flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweet, fluffy cookie dough.
Oatmeal and Cinnamon Chip Cookies
A hearty, nostalgic cookie made with the comforting flavors of oatmeal and cinnamon. Plus, The HERSHEY’S Cinnamon Chips inside add even more sweet spice to this classic treat.
Double Peanut Butter and Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies
Peanut butter and chocolate are the ultimate duo, just like the happy couple! These cookies combine REESE’S Peanut Butter Chips with HERSHEY’S Milk Chocolate Chips for a rich, decadent bite every time.
Toffee Bits Cookies
A sweet, buttery dessert that’s packed with HEATH BITS O’ BRICKLE Toffee Bits, these cookies bring a delightful, caramelized crunch that will pair well with any Pittsburgh Cookie Table assortment.
Almond Fudge Topped Shortbread
A sophisticated addition to your cookie table collection, these buttery shortbread cookies are topped with a rich almond fudge layer made with HERSHEY’S Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips and crunchy, toasted almond slices for an indulgent and elegant choice.
HERSHEY’S Red Velvet Cookies
For a pop of fun color and delectable flavor, these red velvet cookies made with HERSHEY’S Cocoa and HERSHEY’S Cream Cheese Chips are both eye-catching and delicious!
S’mores Cookies
Capture the essence of a campfire favorite with s’mores cookies! They’re loaded with melty pips from HERSHEY’S Milk Chocolate Candy Bars, fluffy marshmallows and covered in crunchy graham cracker crumbs.
Strawberries and Cream Cookies
A fruity and creamy delight, these cookies blend bold strawberry flavors with rich HERSHEY’S Premier White Creme Chips, making them the perfect addition to a bright and fun cookie spread.
Peanut Butter-Filled Whoopie Pies
Soft, cake-like chocolate cookies sandwich a delightfully fluffy REESE’S Creamy Peanut Butter filling! Whip up these whoopie pies and they’re sure to be a standout on your cookie table. Whoopie pies are also a beloved Pennsylvania favorite, and if you're from Pittsburgh, you might know them as "gobs.” No matter what you call them, they’re a must-have addition to your cookie table!
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Use cellophane bags, small boxes or decorative tins to package cookies as party favors. You can even add a custom sticker label or thank-you tag for a personal touch! If you're planning to ship cookies to loved ones who can't attend or you’re shipping treats to the happy couple, check out our expert tips on packing and shipping cookies safely.
-
Most cookies can be baked a few days in advance and stored in airtight containers. Some cookies, like shortbread and biscotti, have a longer shelf life, while softer cookies should be frozen and thawed before serving to preserve freshness.
-
Popular cookie table wedding cookies include classics like thumbprints, snickerdoodles, peanut butter blossoms and chocolate chip cookies. Or you can opt for fancier recipes such as pizzelles, macarons and crinkle cookies.
-
We recommend planning for 2-3 cookies per guest. But if you want a grander display, aim for 5-7 cookies per person to have a visually impressive table and plenty for guests to take home after the event.
-
A Pittsburgh Cookie Table is a popular wedding tradition that originated in Western Pennsylvania and is particularly popular in the Pittsburgh area. Instead of, or in addition to, a wedding cake, couples showcase a spread of homemade cookies, often baked for the couple by family and friends. This heartfelt custom has deep roots in Italian, Slovakian and Eastern European immigrant communities, who saw baking cookies as a way to contribute during times of hardship such as the Great Depression.
