Cookie Time

No, the title of today's entry is not about Christmas baking - even though it would be appropriate. It's about yesterday's article about in the NY Times Dining section about the cookie tradition at Pittsburgh PA weddings. This is a very neat thing in my book where the bride and groom serve up to a thousand cookies along with the main meal and of course, the cake. Every kind is made and served on the couples' special day. Even neater - they're all made by family members and sometimes the bride herself.

Th article, written by Ron Lieber tells of this wonderful Pittsburgh (and it also is big in the Youngstown OH area too) tradition of having a cookie buffet at weddings. it started out during the Depression when couples couldn't afford elaborate bakery made wedding cakes. Cue in the mothers , aunts and grannies and their endless armory of cookie and biscuit recipes. The idea is a must with Catholic and Protestant brides and grooms and mostly , it seems with Italians. Tables are laden the delicately crispy pizzeli and golden almond laden biscotti. Of course there are American classics too such as the peanut butter blossom, a peanut butter cookie with a Hershey's Kiss stuck in its' center. I'm sure there are other ones, like buttery spritzes as well as thin vanilla wafers.

If you're wondering does the entire array of cookies get totally devoured during the reception , the answer is no. The newly married couple provide small boxes or festive Chinese takeaway boxes for guest s to bring home their favorites. this started out as too many of the invited would bring their own baggies and load. up. In order not to look too tacky smart newlyweds then decided to supply some kind of box for the leftover treats. This is a great idea and to be honest better than any favor.


I like this idea of a cookie buffet at a wedding. It's a heck of a lot easier to deal with than a whole wedding cake. and makes for some fun snacking. Besides who really wants to go for a whole sit down dinner and dessert when all you want to do is mingle and dance? A cookie buffet is a great way to enjoy a wedding and mingle with the guests.