Your Last-Minute Pittsburgh Holiday Cookie Baking Guide
The holiday season is all about cookies and Pittsburgh has so many great recipes and traditions. (We’re home to the cookie table, after all!) If you’re planning to bake some holiday treats and need a little inspiration, the team is sharing some of our favorite recipes, along with tips and shortcuts to make sure your cookies come out extra tasty. Don’t worry: we’ve got ideas for ambitious bakers and for anyone who simply needs to whip up an easy, last-minute gift.
We used The Belt Cookie Table Cookbook by Bonnie Tawse as our guide for this episode and highly recommend it — it makes a great holiday gift!
Recipes mentioned on today’s show:
- Almond Croissant Cookies [Eat at Maude’s]
- 5 Holiday Cookie Recipes To Make in Pittsburgh [City Cast Pittsburgh]
- Gluten-Free, Vegan Holiday Treats [Octofree]
- Flourless Almond Cookies with Cardamom, Orange Zest, and Pistachios [Epicurious]
Don’t forget! You can meet the City Cast Pittsburgh team (and eat some delicious cookies) tomorrow, December 20th. City Cast contributor Kevin Gavin is putting on his 48th annual all request holiday show and we’re co-hosting! Drop by our Downtown studio between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the 10th floor of the Benedum-Trees Building. Come hang out with us and request a song live on the radio. Can’t make it? Hear the show in real time on WZUM AM 1150 or 101.1 FM or stream it at wzum.org.
Learn more about the sponsor of this December 19th episode:
Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.
Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh!
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Pittsburgh and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Where To Get Pittsburgh’s Best Ice Cream
Pittsburgh's ice cream and soft serve shops are opening for the season! Host Megan Harris is with City Cast contributor Meg St-Esprit, an...

Pittsburgh's Secret Stairways
If your summer bucket list involves exploring more of Pittsburgh, consider making a visit to a set of our city steps, aka our first form...

Is Heinz Worth the Hype?
Heinz ketchup has a chokehold on Pittsburgh. From stadiums and museums to our own home pantries, it’s the brand on the table and in any g...

Your Guide to June 2026 in Pittsburgh
Summer in Pittsburgh means neighborhood festivals, yard sales, and so much more! This June, we're checking out movie series, signing up f...

'Your City Could Be Better': How Chicago's Libraries Meet Community Needs — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh
Where would Pittsburgh be without its libraries? Chicago is opening its 82nd public library branch in June, and loaning out books is just...

Taxing Pool Tables, School Closure Aftermath & Breweries in Bankruptcy
After almost three years of debates and hearings, the Pittsburgh Public Schools board voted to close nine school buildings and make other...

The Weird Things You Can and Can't Do in a Pittsburgh Backyard
Want to get a little ambitious with your backyard this summer? Maybe you're thinking of getting a beehive or some chickens, or you've dec...

Why Pittsburghers Love Cleveland
Looking for a low-cost, easy getaway this summer? Look no further than Cleveland! From free art to giant pastrami sandwiches, there's a l...

The Best Indian Food in Pittsburgh
Love Indian food, but want to indulge beyond butter chicken and naan? You're in luck! City Cast contributor Aakanksha Agarwal is joining...

Lion McBaby Face, Catena’s Defeat & Inclusionary Zoning Returns
A new iteration of Pittsburgh’s contentious inclusionary zoning policy is headed back to the City Planning Commission. City Cast’s Megan...

