Many brides choose to include traditional elements in their weddings, from mainstream American traditions like white dresses and wedding cakes to traditions specific to a family’s cultural or religious heritage. But how about using some lesser-known wedding traditions?
If you’re looking for a fun tradition to incorporate into your wedding, why not try the Midwestern cookie table? For years, brides in Northeastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania have used this regional custom, which involves setting up a diverse cookie buffet at the reception using cookies baked by the bride and her family.
Origins
The origin of the cookie table is a somewhat contentious topic; some believe it began in Youngstown, Ohio, while many from Pittsburgh, Pa., claim the table as their own. The table is definitely most dominant there, although brides in West Virginia, Virginia, New York, New Jersey and Delaware have also been known to use it.
In a recent online query, Pamela L. Pletcher of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society found that the tradition also has strong ties to Italian and Slovak ethnic communities, as well as Catholic marriages.
Whatever their origins, cookie tables are often found at many events, including high school graduation and Christmas parties. However, the cookie table is often considered most essential at weddings, where guests often take home leftover cookies in small bags or takeaway boxes as favors.
Cookie Types
The types of cookies found on a cookie table can vary widely from family to family, and can change depending on your geographical location. Any type of cookie is acceptable; if you’re new to the tradition, though, you might be interested to know there are a few staple types that are often found on Midwestern wedding tables.
In her 2004 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article “Youngstown lays claim to the cookie table,” Suzanne Martinson lists several must-have kinds of cookies, including pizzelles, a flat lacy-looking cookie made using a special iron, and clothespin cookies—long, crème-filled cookies sometimes called lady locks.
Peanut butter blossoms (peanut butter cookies with Hershey’s kisses in the center) are also a favorite, as are kolache, which in Midwestern terms means a pastry loaf filled with nuts, fruit, and/or cream cheese. Popular in Ohio are buckeyes (chocolate and peanut butter confections that resemble a buckeye nut)—after all, the state’s nickname is “The Buckeye State”.
How To Use A Cookie Table
If you’re looking to incorporate this tradition into your wedding, keep a few things in mind. First, remember that you don’t have to bake all of the cookies yourself! Many cookie tables rely on relatives and close friends who volunteer to bake several weeks in advance of the event. Many people close to the bride and groom often offer to contribute to the table, simply because the act of baking cookies for someone else is both simple and greatly appreciated. If you don’t have any volunteers, however, and you don’t want to ask for help or bake the cookies yourself, you can always purchase cookies from a local (or grocery store) bakery. Often, bakers will give you a deal on larger numbers of cookies.
If you’re also serving wedding cake at your reception, remember to consider the effect your cake might have on cookie consumption, and vise versa. Guests who have access to cookies might pass on cake, and guests who scarf down some cake might not want to eat any cookies. Let the cookies and the cake complement one another—but don’t be surprised if you have leftovers of both!
