Today, I am continuing the Wedding DIY series with the Cookie Table. Now unless you’re from the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, you’re probably wondering: “What is a cookie table and what does it have to do with Wedding DIYs?” Since I grew up in Western Pennsylvania, all the weddings that I attended had a cookie table. I thought every wedding reception everywhere had a cookie table. So imagine my shock and dismay when I moved to Central Pennsylvania, went to my first wedding here, and found that there was not a cookie in sight! What?!?! No cookies? What kind of wedding is this? Well, my friends, cookie tables are a Pittsburgh tradition. This Wikipedia article explains the origin and tradition of the cookie table far better than I can.
Let’s get right to a photo of the cookie table from my daughter’s wedding:
Lots and lots of cookies. Probably close to 200 dozen cookies. I started counting as I was baking, cooling, and freezing, but somewhere along the way, I lost count. I can tell you that at the end of the baking process, my freezer was filled with nothing but cookies. Seriously, nothing.
Cookies, as far as the eye can see. And these were just the thumbprints.
Candy buffets are very popular for wedding receptions. (Hmmm, I wonder if someone from Pittsburgh got tired of baking cookies and came up with the candy buffet idea? ; )) During the wedding planning process, my daughter (Cory, the bride), had a fleeting thought of maybe having a candy buffet. I did a little research on this idea. There are lots of places to get pretty, color-to-match-your-wedding-colors candy! Very, very expensive. Especially if you have a good-size guest list. But they are very pretty. Take a look at this one:
While she was deciding between a candy buffet and a cookie table, I began the hunt for serving bowls and trays. I got all of them from either TJ Maxx or Home Goods. Initially, I thought she was leaning towards the candy, so I got glass containers that were appropriate for candy. In the end, I was able to figure out how to use them all for cookies. You’ll see what I mean in the photo below:
Traditionally, cookie tables are set up on a long, buffet table with all of the cookies artistically arranged on flat trays. We are in non-cookie table territory around here, (the reception site had no idea what a cookie table was before we showed up!), but the large round table worked out perfectly to display our various cake trays, crystal bowls, and vases of cookies!
If you’re thinking about creating a cookie table for an upcoming wedding or any other special event, here are a few tips:
- Most importantly, make sure the venue that is holding your event will allow you to bring in cookies! One site we visited would not allow it. If you happen to live in the western part of Pennsylvania – no problem, they expect it!
- Plan (and bake!) ahead. To calculate how many cookies I needed to bake, I multiplied the number of guests times ten. This should be the minimum number of cookies to have. People love cookies! Make more than you think you’ll need. We provided pretty, decorated bags at the table for guests to take cookies home. And they did!
- Gather your recipes a few weeks before you start baking. Stick to your tried-and-true favorites. I think we had around ten different cookies. It’s easier to make dozens and dozens of the same recipe than it is to make several different recipes (at least in my opinion).
- This is not the time to try new recipes.
- Use food coloring in any icings to match the wedding colors.
- Have lots of freezer bags on hand and shop for sales on freezer containers.
- Freeze the cookies on a tray first before putting in bags or containers.
- Ask relatives and friends for help!
- Be warned: you will not bake any cookies for the following Christmas (I know this to be a fact!)
Have you ever been to a wedding with a cookie table? I wonder if the tradition is expanding outside of the Pittsburgh area.
Linking here:
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All the cookies look wonderful!I can’t imagine making 200 dozen cookies. I’m from Texas and I’ve never heard of a cookie buffet. Candy buffets are really popular here. I love all your pictures.
I don’t think I’ve made a cookie since! Thanks for stopping by!
Yeah!!!!’
I loved reading about the cookie table, I grew up in southwestern PA, never went to wedding that didn’t have a cookie table, polkas or the bridle dance (where you paid a dollar to polka once around the dance floor with the bride). Great times! I, too was shocked when I moved to Florida at age 20 and went to a wedding without those dear traditions.
Thanks for the lovely reminders.
My niece is getting married in Pittsburgh in October. I can’t wait….cookie table!!!
My daughter is getting married in Pittsburgh in September. The groom’s mother has already informed me that she has the cookie table under control and there will be more cookies than anyone can possibly imagine.
I lived in the Youngstown, Ohio area for 29 years and the cookie table is a regional favorite there also. They also have them for graduation parties, which are also a big celebration. I baked a lot of cookies for friend’s children’s weddings and graduation parties. No one seems sure on the origin of the cookie table. I have speculated that perhaps, Eastern Europeans who immigrated first to work in the coal mines of SW PA, and then later moved to Pittsburgh and Youngstown to work in the steel mills, started the tradition because they were too poor to have a large wedding cake, so everyone brought cookies for the wedding reception. My husband’s grandmother had been one of those immigrants, and she insisted on making cookies for every celebration and told me about making cookies for christenings and weddings when her husband worked in the coal mines.
What a good idea. I live in Idaho and haven’t heard of a cookie table. Here, anything goes ~ mostly mix&match! Your cookies look delicious, by the way, and your photos are gorgeous, as usual. Have a great day.
Hi. Saw your info as I googled “cookie table” to see if my recent press release was showing up. MVHS had a Cookie Table & Cocktails fundraiser Feb. 16 with 7,000 cookies! Some info is on our website. The debate is …. the Mahoning Valley claims the Cookie Table as does the Pittsburgh area! 🙂
I am a little late to the party, but sign me up for a cookie table!! I have two daughters and (hopefully) to weddings to plan in the future! You can bet there will be cookie tables.
It’s been almost a year since I baked all those cookies and I’m still not over it ; )
I just love your blog! About how long did it take you to make all of the cookies? My husband and I love cookies and we want a cookie table at our vow renewal/church wedding next year. And how did you freeze then thaw them? Thx 🙂
Hi Kristina, Thank you so much! I’m so happy that you love my blog…that means so very much to me! You made my day!
About the cookies…I baked over the course of several months. To freeze them, I placed them on cookie sheets first, then once they were frozen, I transferred them to either freezer bags (for the sturdier cookies) and plastic freezer containers (for the more delicate ones). I hope this helps! Good luck, best wishes and have fun at your upcoming vow renewal!
Im from butler pa, and I need to start baking cookies for my sons wedding in October. I haven’t started yet as I’ve been worried about baking to soon and the cookies even though frozen not being fresh. Your blog now made me realize how far behind I am. What cookies do you suggest baking now so far in advance that will be fresh for the big day? Also, which to save to bake for right before? Thanks so much!
Hi Sheri, I made all of the cookies in advance and they were very fresh. chocolate chip, lady locks, thumbprints, peanut butter blossoms all freeze very well. Have fun, and congrats!
Love the cookie table idea. This is what my daughter wants for her wedding. Did you take the cookies out of the freezer ute day of the wedding or when? Thanks
Hi Christie! We took them out the day before the wedding to take to the wedding reception site. Good luck with your daughter’s upcoming wedding!
LOVE this!!! I have a Pinterest Group page called “Pittsburgh Foodies” & this was the perfect add to our Pins 🙂
Learned about the Pittsburgh cookie table on t.v. and decided to do one for my daughter’s engagement party which was in the Pittsburgh area. Six close relatives made over 2000 cookies- 20 different varieties-took 2 weekends to do. We had to transport them all from CT where we live to Pittsburgh- took up the whole trunk of the car. We labeled the cookies with colored signs so the guests knew what they were eating. It was a hit! This is like the Venetian Table at Italian wedding here in the NYC area.
That’s a lot of cookies, but I’m sure they were enjoyed by the guests! Nothing better than a cookie table at a wedding!
I grew up in Southwestern PA in a suburb of Pittsburgh. Both my daughters were born there. Now, they both live in Baltimore, where my oldest will be getting married in August. She doesn’t want a wedding cake. She only wants the Pittsburgh cookie table! So, the tradition is spreading.
Yay, the tradition is spreading – it’s a good one!
Does anyone have any tips on how to go about organizing the cookie bakers? Is there some way to do it on line? We have family all over the country who have offered to bake. My daughter has put me in charge!
I’m from Baltimore, but most of my family lives in Pittsburgh. The only thing I felt strongly on was having a cookie table at my wedding (my fiance had never heard of it). Did you completely bake the cookies and freeze? Or did you just freeze the dough and pop them in the oven the week before? Our wedding is in December 2016 – I’m wondering how far ahead I can make them without freezer burn. Also, when you defrosted – did you have any issues with condensation making them soggy?
I attended a wedding in the Columbus Ohio area that had a cookie table. The guests love it for these and other reasons: it gives them something to snack on if the wedding cake-cutting is hours away (satisfies kids who might not be able to stay up late), and once you get the cookies home, it feels like a homemade thank-you for attending.
Your daughters cookie table looks like it was beautiful! I never thought of using the big vases for like chocolate chip cookies or maybe I’ll put oreo balls in them! I am doing the cookie table and the candy table! Go big or go home right?! But I am wondering when did you take your cookies out of the freezer? My wedding will be starting at 3, cocktail hour at 5:30, and dinner at 6:30. Do I take the cookies out the morning of? Or the day before? I will be having a lot of cookies that are made with chocolate and cream cheese (like oreo balls), my wedding is in the middle of August (Summer heat). The place I am getting married in does have AC but I’m not sure how cool it actually gets. Thanks in advance!
Also did you really go through that much cookies? I will be having approximately 150 people I plan on making most myself. Except for the lady locks. How many lady locks do you think is a good amount to have I was thinking 10-12 dozen, but lady locks is like the wedding cookie.
Thanks Again!
For our wedding cookie table last year we decided to invite the ever-popular Pittsburgh icon– the Eat’n Park Smiley Cookie! They just started offering wedding based designs and do they ever make the guests grin. The cookies are nut free & kosher as well as individually wrapped; the wrapped part is great if you are looking for a favor or two for your guests to take back with them. These cookies got prime placement– right next to my Mother’s pizelles– as it should be!
http://www.smileycookie.com/shop-by-occasion-1/custom-wedding-cookies-favors-gifts.html
Hi, As a native Western Pennsylvanian of 71 years, I am quite familiar with cookie tables. My parents had one at my wedding, 47 years ago. I was just curious as to why you chose to use a brown paper bag to line your baking sheets when making lady locks, instead of using parchment paper. I have been making lady locks for years, and I have always used parchment paper..no sticking ever.
Thanks for sharing.