Prantl’s Bakery
5525 Walnut St, Pittsburgh, PA, 15232
Prantl’s Bakery Menu
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Address :
5525 Walnut St
Pittsburgh, PA, 15232 - Phone (412) 621-2092
- Website https://www.prantlsbakery.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :9:00 am - 4:00pm
Specialities
- Delivery : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
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Amanda S.
the quality of the baked goods hasn't gone down and the prices haven't mysteriously skyrocketed, but there *are* a couple reasons why i've been taken down from my prantl's sugar rush. 1. i walked in last sunday around 1pm (three hours before COB) and there were hardly any breads, muffins, and cakes left. while this didn't affect me too much (i was there to purchase primarily mini almond torte cups and pecan tassies), it was still strange to me to see how barren the shelves were. 2. a young lady whom i have interacted with before was cleaning the glass of the pastry cases, which involved lifting up the glass. if you haven't been here, know that it's pretty snug inside. add a handful or so customers, and it nears claustrophobia. first of all, why are you cleaning the glass three hours before you close? it's only going to get touched again. second of all, she was rude about it, throwin' bows to all who neared. not cool. i walked away with about 12 mini cups and a carrot cake muffin for a little over $16, but with a somewhat sour taste in my mouth. i'm hoping it was just an "off" day, and i'll be back, but hopefully to a better environment.
(3)Tony J.
Place is alright, but the cannoli shells were defiantly store bought. But i mean hey, I guess every place cant be perfect. For the price though, I feel like they sold be homemade. The filling in the cannolis were kind of strange. The fact that neither my mother nor I wanted to eat the second one showed that there was a problem. My mom did enjoy her other pasty. I, however, did not like the biscotti very much. I mean I would go back if I was walking by, but I defiantly would not go out of my way to get pastries here. I would walk to La Gourmandine Bakery in Lawrenceville before going here again.
(3)Ceebie B.
An old fashioned bakery with the best almond torte. When my son was little, he and I would make a trip along Shadyside's Walnut Street. We would start with the variety store on the corner, which has so many little toys that I remember as a kid. Then we would go to the card store, which has a great selection of fun gifts. And last, we would go to Prantls to get a chocolate chip cookie for each of us. Best bakery ever....great memories with my son.
(5)Lara B.
I just got into town and I had to get to Prantl's. Their sugar dusted cut out cookies are amazing! You can't get cookies like these down south.
(4)Sarah F.
I loved Prantl's when I was in college. The cupcakes were amazing and affordable as a study break snack. That being said, when they opened the Prantl's downtown I stopped by one day to pick up a dozen cupcakes for a birthday party. I was surprised how much the price had gone up in just a few years. Once we actually ate the cupcakes I was extremely disappointed. What happened to the flavorful cupcakes we used to love? Everything just tasted so processed. The cupcakes were no more special than what you'd get at Giant Eagle or Shop'N'Save. They were still ok but not great and not worth a special trip. If I am downtown and craving a cupcake this will still be my go to but in general a mediocre bakery.
(3)ReviewHaiku F.
Yes, I've blacked out here, I've eaten cupcake creatures. What a great birthday. (b)
(5)Theresa C.
Almond Torte! Pecan cake! These 2 things are enough to make the entire bakery a 4 star bakery. The location is at a very friendly and fun to walk around area in Pittsburgh. You can stroll around the street and stop by at the bakery for a sweet treat. Once you go in, you are greeted with a nice, small and clean bakery. They have a display case with all of their bakeries. Feel free to browse around before you decide what you want. The best thing about this place is the fact the baked goodies are bite sized. You can just buy one of each to try it out in case you are not sure of the taste. Apparently you can also reserve wedding cakes there, not that I've tried it but I do see it all the time. After your treat, you can choose to continue to walk around the street or just find a place to sit down and eat a real meal. I like to buy their almond and pecan baked goodies in dozens to bring home with me. But remember, eat them as fast as you can!!
(4)TJ S.
This year I have been going to some of the known bakeries in the city testing things out. I tried Prantl's, Paddy Cake, Grandview, Oakmont, and then Jean Marc's. Prantl's hands down had the best burnt almond torte. However, I felt for basic things like cookies/pastries this was not the place to go. The cookies look beautiful but don't have a ton of taste. But, all variations of the almond torte they have are amazing and worth it. Their customer service was great even though the place is always packed.
(4)jim o.
Have the burnt almond torte. That's all you need to know. No, seriously. I take some back with me on the plane all the way to San Francisco every time I come back to the Burgh. It's that good. Everyone I've given it to agrees.
(5)Holly G.
Prantl's is my favorite bakery. I've lived in Pittsburgh my whole life and I've always gotten my birthday cake here (well over 2 decades worth of cakes!). Prantl's always has a place in my heart. After the change in ownership, the bakery has seemed to gone downhill a bit. The most obvious was the increase in prices. Still a great place for baked goods! Try the Burnt Almond Torte if you haven't yet!
(4)Laura S.
I have become the Prantl's pimp to all the little old ladies in the neighborhood. They wait at their doors for me to return from Shadyside for their little pink boxes with cash in-hand. Rightfully so. Every little confection turned out by this Pittsburgh institution is perfection. Sheer and utter buttery goodness perfection. The burnt almond torte is magnificent. Light white cake with layers of pudding and heavenly buttercream encrusted with burnt sugared almonds. These words placed together do not do this creation justice. I have dreams about the burnt almond torte. Their cherry hamantaschen is a beautiful light buttery dough, akin to sugar cookies. The rum balls are naughty little nuggets of goodness. Everything, EVERYTHING is to die for.
(5)Jessica B.
I ordered the Burnt Almond Torte for my wedding. I am not going to describe it because I feel like its reputation preceeds it. I know this sounds sacreligious but I am not a "cake" person in general; however, I really do like the BAT. I recently moved to Pittsburgh (Shadyside, to be exact) and this mecca of deliciousness which I had heard about is in walking distance from my house so I knew I'd try it sooner or later. I thought it'd be the perfect dessert to order for my wedding, as I wanted to give all of my out of town guests a taste of a famous Pittsburgh sweet and this fit the bill perfectly. Everyone loved it, especially my mother in law who has actually scoured the internet for a couple of "copycat" BAT recipes so she can make them herself (she lives in another state). I have not tried anything else from Prantl's but am eager to go back. Five stars is for the fact that not only was the burnt almond torte delicious, but also because I notice that this place is always crowded. I like seeing the little guy succeed.
(5)Jessica W.
When my friends and I walked into Prantl's for the very first time, we smelled the air and sighed appreciatively. Smells like baked deliciousness. If they could figure out how to bottle up that scent, I'd buy it. The cookies here are excellent. They had hamantashen around Purim. I can't speak to the cookies' authenticity, but they were buttery, tender, and so good. I like the burnt almond torte a lot, but more so for the burnt almond outsides rather than the yellow cake itself, which was nicely moist but rather bland.
(4)Ryan P.
I really like the signature toasted almond cake, but have been mostly disappointed with the other things I've tried here. I've also not been pleased with the employees - they're not very friendly.
(3)Susan D.
Oh My! I keep telling myself "It's okay, Susan, you can have this for your snack when your BGs go low." Contrary to popular belief, we diabetics CAN have a cookie or a piece of cake (indeed we must sometimes), but we have to watch our carbs and take enough insulin to cover. Having said that, where to begin about this place? How about with their famous burnt almond torte. These things are so good, they can now ship them anywhere. They make a "travel" torte version with their "wedding creme" custard, which doesn't require refrigeration. Sigh, but I usually limit myself to their cookies and their fine bread. As I said on another review of mine "Pump that insulin, Susan!"
(5)Greg B.
Oh. My. God. So. Good.
(5)neil g.
As I always try to find the best bakery in town, this one Prantl's in Shadyside, is awesome. Our friend told us to try the burnt almond slice, which is a local favorite. And wow, it was great. So are the snowballs, the pecan buns, which are mini and many other pastries. Don't miss this one.
(4)Ingrid K.
I can't believe I haven't written a review for Prantl's. I rave about this place all the time. Especially for their cute and affordable mini goods, donuts, and of course, their burnt almond torte. One of the downsides is the debbie downer attitude of some of the workers, which the cupcakes and cookies always make up for. If you can't afford anything on Walnut St. you can always buy happiness at Prantl's!
(4)Danielle S.
To be fair all I've ever had was their Burnt Almond torte, but it could be one of the most amazing things I've ever eaten. Not to mention that they offer little mini ones for $1 (perhaps slighly overpriced for the size?) to save me the trouble of eating too much make me a very happy person.
(5)Justin C.
I love their muffins. They are smaller, inexpensive, and really sweet. Lots of great berry muffins.
(5)Fuzzysaurus L.
Come here for the jelly sandwich cookies. BEST jelly sandwich cookies ever. they're round, 2 layers, powdered sugar, and you can see the jam in a little cut out circle on the top layer. Their "burnt almond torte cake" is supposed to be really famous, but i always got distracted by the cookies...
(5)LeeAnn T.
I must be jaded since I came from Boston where the Bakeries are excellent. I heard through the grape vine that the roasted almond torte was excellent so we bought some and brought it home. The salty sweet toasted almond coating was excellent, but the fluffy cake with some type of pudding between the layers was mediocre at best. I hate it when bakeries make awful cake because it seems to me that is an easy item to get right. I will give them another chance but so far I would say they are average.
(3)Vickie B.
How does Prantl's not have a review yet? Oh my lord. The burnt almond torte, alone, is reason to yelp about. Soft yellow almond-twinged cake, moist as wedding cake, layered with the most delicious icing and covered in burnt almonds and a dusting of powered sugar made this an easy "yum," especially if you had dinner guests. Fresh breads (delicious sourdough), homemade doughnuts, dinner rolls, cakes made to order and then mini-versions of the cakes abound. Try the chocolate sour cream loaf, it's amazing.
(5)Valerie K.
Burnt Almond Torte. Enough Said.
(5)Rachel Y.
The treats are really delicious, but the whole experience was only ok. First, there's nowhere to sit down, so you have to get everything to go. They offer a good selection of small and bite-sized items, so this seems odd. Seems like they could put some stools by the window or even some tables outside....maybe serve some coffee while they're at it. Second, the person helping me threw all my items into one small bag, so everything got smashed together. Next time I'll bring my own tupperware.
(3)Tiffany C.
Best bakery in Pittsburgh! They have great cakes and cookies and make very festive holiday cakes. The rasberry filled, heart-shaped cookies are great, as are the chocolate cakes.
(5)Scott G.
Prantl's is an amazing neighborhood bakery. I walk by on walnut often but have only been in a few times. They have an air vent out to the street blowing out fresh smells of the bakery...oh so tempting! I recently stopped in with family from out of town and tried a variety of their offerings. The cookies were good, as was one of the apricot pastries. The star of the show though was the burnt almond torte. Seriously, one of the best cakes and deserts period that I have ever had. The cake is moist, rich with flavor without being overly sweet, and the almonds add just enough crunch for some variety and delicate layer of complexity in the taste profile. Stop in and try a piece! Tip: Take a number to the left when you get in the door.
(5)Paul H.
NOT best cake in America by a long shot. Not even best cake in Pittsburgh. I'm giving Prantl's 2 stars ("meh. I've experienced better") because I have. Their burnt almond torte is "America's best cake" the same way my Mom is the "best Mom in the whole universe". That is, if your experience is limited, if all that exists is your neighborhood, if "America" means Shadyside and "universe" means "my house", then perhaps those are accurate. For better pastries, try the almond croissants at La Gourmandine bakery in Lawrenceville. For better cakes, try the Opera cake from Jean Marc Chatellier in Millvale.
(2)Angie K.
Unfortunately for my waistline, I live walking distance to this bakery. This bakery also houses great memories of an awesome chocolate cake we always got for birthdays during college, but that's about it. The biggest thing that bothers me is that the quality is not consistent day-to-day. Sometimes, clearly, the pastries are stale. Though the Burnt Almond Torte is Prantl's claim to fame, I found it overly sweet. The best part is the cake inside, which I found to be super soft and moist. The cupcake bites are overpriced and too sweet. The regular cupcakes are satisfactory. If you do come here, sure, try the Burnt Almond Torte, but sometimes this item is sold out on the weekends.
(3)Amanda J.
I wanted to hate Prantl's. I am routinely disappointed in people's favorite bakeries in this city. So when people raved about Prantl's, I'm all, "All you Pittsburghers are the same." Nope, y'all. Prantl's is something special, and it is my new obsession. Apple Strudel ($2.49): The best thing they make. PACKED full of apples and cinnamon. The pastry crust is flaky and perfect. This is one of the best apple strudels I have ever eaten, and the slices are huge for the price. Burnt Almond Torte Bar ($3.99): I know this is the home-run hitter for most people so I had to try it. The cups are kind of over priced a $1.50 for a bite or two so definitely get the bar. I hate nuts in my desserts, but I LOVE this. This dessert is so unique and delicious. A must try. Pepperoni Roll ($2.29): Super cheap for the quality. And the good help (More on this later) will offer to heat it up for you! Large Lady Lock ($2.49): I don't like Lady Locks. They are too sweet for my taste. My mom said she really liked the one I got her, though! I will say, the desserts are very sweet. I usually cut them into small pieces and eat them over a few days, but that is the way I like dessert. Also, some of the help is fantastic and some REALLY suck. Don't let the crap help turn you off; these baked goods are worth it! I've had help stand and stare at me, and when I try to order, walk away. #NoTipForYou Go early in the day! Credit cards accepted.
(5)Larissa G.
Does Prantl's need any introduction? In the last few years I've definitely seen them getting more and more attention, not just locally but nationally as well. Their burnt almond torte desserts in particular receive a lot of well deserved attention. This particular Prantl's Bakery is one that I admittedly can't get to easily, due to the number of people who visit Shadyside (a neighborhood with very limited parking). So when I was in the area this weekend I absolutely had to stop in and take advantage of the fact that I was nearby. After walking in I thought I was in heaven - the smell of the baked goods was just soooo good! The place was pretty hopping so I was able to browse and see what was available while waiting for my number to be called; during the wait I watched fresh muffins, cookies and more being set out for people to buy. So I can definitely testify to just how fresh the goods here are - even one hour before closing they were putting out trays that had just come out of the oven. Fair warning, the hardest part about visiting Prantl's is leaving with a reasonable number of goodies. I dare you to try to stop in for "just one treat." They have cupcakes, cakes, "cups" (which are basically mini cupcakes with lots of amazing icing and toppings), pastries, muffins, and more, all made in a range of flavors - all fresh, all baked to perfection in my experience. I ended up leaving with 8 cups (2 cookies & creme, 2 almond torte, 2 peanut butter and chocolate, and 2 white chocolate and raspberry) that I've left in my car so I'm not tempted to snack on them all at once. So far I've eaten two of them and they've just melted in my mouth...exactly like a really good, fresh and moist dessert should, as far as I'm concerned. So seriously - Prantl's is amazing. Go there, buy something, it's totally worth it!
(5)Phil A.
Made a special trip out of our way to get a burnt almond torte bar. They were sold out at 2:00 pm on a Thursday. What's up with that? The pecan roll bite I had instead had no flavor--you might as well buy industrially-produced pastry. The guy did give us two bites for the price of one. Twice the blandness for the same price! No thanks.
(2)Sophia H.
Prantl's is my new crack. What's worse is I live five minutes away from this place. I can't feel "too lazy" to take a bus here because it is so conveniently close; I can literally just walk over and get what I want. It is so dangerous for me, but I always convince myself it is worth it. I've tried to make an effort to get something different when I am at Prantl's. So far I've had the burnt almond torte, apple strudel, white chocolate raspberry cup, burnt almond cup, red velvet cup, and coconut cream doughnut. All of these pastries are fantastic, so allow me to get a little more detailed about each of them. Burnt almond torte: of course, you have to get this. It's what they are famous for, blah blah blah. But, be warned! If you are eating for one, get the travel bar, and do NOT eat it all at once! I am a person that loves sweets. I have always had a really high tolerance for them. But in this case, the almond torte was very sweet even for me. If you do not have much of a sweet tooth, I suggest you eat a little at a time, because you can easily go over the deep end and feel sick, and end up hating this pastry, or something. Why is this pastry amazing? Well, first off, the cream is a thick topping that, in my opinion, takes the....cake. The cake is moist, succulent, and isn't too much. You know how there are some cakes that are super dense, like when you take a bite out of it there is just too much cake?? This isn't like that at all. There is a little butter cream frosting --I think-- in the middle of the torte that has a great consistency with the cake and cream. On top of that are the almonds which provide the perfect crunch. It is a fantastic combination in your mouth, and it makes you want all of it. But like I said, enjoy it, and stop before you go overboard. Apple Strudel: My grandma would always make apple strudel when I was at her place, so my expectations were high. Nevertheless, Prantl's exceeded it. I was shocked. The apple strudel definitely is a lot less sweeter than the burnt almond torte. The dough and the apple filling work very well together, and taking a bite out of this is like taking a trip down memory lane. I highly recommend this pastry if you are a fan of apples. The three cups: These cups are so cute! The best part of it is you get a deal when you get a dozen of them. The white chocolate raspberry cups are a great treat that has a rich raspberry filling in the middle. It takes away from the super sweet cup, and gives it a more decadent, tart-y flavor. The almond cup is a miniature version of the travel torte, except the butter cream frosting is in the middle of the cup. I actually liked this better, because I feel like the butter cream really brings out the flavor. The red velvet cups were sweet, and my least favorite of all of them. Don't get me wrong, they were great, but seemed boring and not as unique compared to the other cups. The coconut cream doughnut was nice! I am not a fan of coconut on pastries, but the flakes provided a nice touch instead of an overpowering flavor. There was a vanilla cream in the doughnut, which is my favorite, but to me tasted like a good doughnut, and, like the red velvet cups, was not that unique. For those that are not the most sweets-inclined, I would recommend the apple strudel, or the white-chocolate raspberry cups. The pastries that are baked here are delicious and rich. Go here, you will not regret it!
(5)Casey K.
What I like about Prantl's is that it has a little bit of everything, but most of all homemade goodness. Looking through past reviews, many talk about the Almond Torte and various other items, but I've happened to visit around holidays or busy mornings when my goal is to get in and out...leading me to try other seemingly less-hyped items. And boy have they been a great choice! On my first visit it was Easter and I wanted to bring a treat for the family. The staff member who helped me suggested the cinnamon bread. It was probably one of the best decisions I've ever made. Not only was the bread fresh, but the cinnamon sugar was throughout the entire bread. There wasn't one piece, or complaint, from anyone about it lacking flavor (as cinnamon breads can sometimes be as you get to the middle of the loaf). As the holiday went on, many family members were grabbing it instead of a cookie or other treats around. I did also grab a few "Almond Torte Bites" instead of the full torte to give it a try as well. Even though they are good, they are VERY sweet and not what my tastebuds are looking for. I was very glad to have gotten the bites instead of the larger cake itself. Most importantly, the staff was super helpful, patient, and attentive even though the store was in full swing, with a line basically out the door. My most recent visit was today for #nationaldonutday! There are a lot of options, but there is something about the traditional glazed donut that takes the cake. I don't remember the last time I had a truly good homemade donut like this - it literally melted in my mouth. There's also something nostalgic about it that makes you feel like you're reliving a moment in your grandma's kitchen. It's something that's going to keep me coming back for a Saturday morning treat with my coffee!
(5)Meghan B.
I am a simple girl when it comes to bakery goods. One of my favorite things to get is a glazed donut... seems simple, but yet a lot of places don't make any that are memorable. The first time I came to Prantl's was during the Shadyside Arts Festival and I ordered a glazed donut. It was amazing and I know go every year (and now that I work in Shadyside, I go a lot more than that). Their other goodies are amazing too- french pastries, cookies, cakes- all delicious! When I have a sweet craving, this is the place I'm going to stop during my lunch break at work!
(4)Richard P.
I absolutely hate this place for loving it so much. I come to Pittsburgh a few times a year and gain 5 lbs on pastries alone from Prantls. Western Pennsylvania in general has a plethora of decent to excellent bakeries compared to most of the world. (Yes ... including odious France.) It's shocking but true. That toasted almond torte of theirs is ridiculous and absurd in its ability to seduce a grown and curmudgeonous man making him feel young and spry and full of vim and vigor (until the sugar crash of course). The dainties made of pastry, cookie doughs and creams are all part of a conspiracy to keep me one of Western Pa's obese sons.
(5)Tricia B.
For Review #100, what better place to write about than a BAKERY?! Being the baked goods lover that I am, I'm almost ashamed to say that I hadn't tried this well-known Pittsburgh bakery until recently. And I wish that I hadn't, because now their goodies are going to haunt my dreams. I came here to pick up cupcakes for a friend's birthday. They had well-stocked cases considering it was a little later in the day. I bought a few of their regular-sized cupcakes with sprinkles and an assortment of their cake cups (which are smaller cupcakes in different flavors). Then I saw "it"....the cake which I'd only heard about in legends...the burnt almond torte. They had a "travel" individual-sized torte available, so I figured I needed to see what all of the fuss was about (I mean, hey, if it's good enough for the Huffington Post, it's good enough for me!) Seeing as I have no self control, I couldn't resist digging into the almond torte as soon as I got home. This confection is everything it's cracked up to be. It's such an interesting contrast of textures -- the buttery vanilla cake itself was light and airy and almost melted in my mouth. It perfectly complemented the crunchy almonds and large flakes of sugar on the outside. The buttercream icing enveloping it all gave it a nice burst of creamy sweetness. It managed to be simultaneously buttery, sweet, and decadent without feeling too rich. The only part of the torte that I didn't get a lot from was the custard layer in the middle. There wasn't much of it present, and it didn't really add anything to the cake. However, this was the "travel" version, which I think uses a shelf-stable custard. I read that they have a version that uses another type of filling that requires refrigeration, and I'd be curious to try that to see if it make a difference. Either way, it was freaking delicious. I would say that I agree with HuffPo that this is the best cake in America, but since I haven't tried every cake in America, I'm not yet qualified to make that statement...so...new life goal! ;) The other goodies that I picked up were winners as well. The chocolate cupcakes with sprinkles were moist, flavorful and piled high with fluffy frosting. I would classify the frosting here as on the sweeter side (which I prefer), but not sweet to the point that it makes your teeth hurt. The assorted cake cups were equally mouthwatering, each one packed with its own unique flavors. Everyone agreed that I was the hero of the night for having brought such deliciousness to the birthday party ;) See you in my dreams, burnt almond torte...
(5)Bob K.
SHAME ON YOU. PRANTL'S Pastries I purchased today chocolate heart with shamrock on top is a recycled pink heart from Valentine's Day and tasted like it. UGHHHHH
(1)Jenny H.
I stopped by to pick up a few baked goods to go! I thought the best thing here was their donuts which I'm not even sure they make in house. The chocolate covered and glazed were both fresh, fluffy and really good.. I got two little bite-size portions of their red velvet cake and their burnt almond torte. I thought the fillings on both were overly sweet and nothing struck me as really good about either.
(3)Laura M.
My new lab manager brought in a burnt almond torte cake from Prantl's today for another labmate who's leaving. None of us labbies had tried this famed Pittsburgh treat before, but we knew that the one who's leaving is a fan, since she's ordering a burnt almond torte wedding cake (genius!). Given all of the hype, we were eager to sample this unique dessert, and as usual with much-hyped things, I was skeptical. I knew the cake was a winner as soon as I put a bite of it in my mouth. It was light and fluffy, consisting of a layer of creamy, custardy goodness between two layers of cake, and light, sweet icing topped with flakes of almond with sugar sprinkled over them. The combination of textures was the most unique I've ever tasted in a cake, and between the fluffiness, creaminess, and crunchiness, it was oh-so-satisfying. The flavors were a surprisingly rich blend of vanilla, almond, and buttery goodness. The cake literally melted in my mouth--no chewing was necessary, except for the topping. As the icing on the cake (no pun intended!), the cake was beautifully decorated with colorful icing flowers and piped script, which brightened up the cake and made it a pleasure to behold. While it was a bit on the pricey side ($45 for a half-sheet cake), it was worth every penny. For those just wanting to try a single portion of this legendary concoction, Prantl's serves burnt almond torte bars (not sure how much they cost). Try some, and you just might be as obsessed as me and the folks at HuffPo!
(5)Sevda O.
Dirty and old looking bakery. Awful service. They did not cut our cake and did not give even a plastic knife or fork. Burnt almond torte is not as good as I expected. Not recommended.
(2)Brianna W.
Prantl's has been recommended by several older friends and did not disappoint. I came in to get the burnt almond torte and was greeted pleasantly by the workers there. They answered all of my silly questions like, "what's your favorite?" And gave great recommendations. I also picked up a spinach and feta roll and admittedly it was a little dry. The dough also lacked any sultry flavor. So I recommend going in and getting what they're known for: the torte.
(4)Maria M.
MY OH MY can prantl's make a Cali girl feel like she's in heaven! Came here today for the famous almond torte and left with an almond torte, apple strudel, and a pizza roll. All reminded me of Beyonce, they were friggin fabulous. I did have to scrape some of the torte's frosting off because I did not want to overdue the sweets. I normally do this with cakes and cupcakes so this is not a diss to Prantl's. It is a diss to myself for not being a part of the frosting is the best part of the cake club. Definitely recommend this place to anyone who is in town!
(5)Amanda C.
A Pittsburgh gem. I adore Prantl's Bakery. It is a must visit if you have friends or family in town. They have a tasty selection of pastries, cakes, cookies and donuts. Each more sugary and delicious than the next. By far my favorite are the small cake cups. The perfect little treat while shopping along Walnut St. There are so many flavors to chose from but I can never go past the classic burnt almond custard cup or the seasonal pumpkin cake cup. That buttercream frosting is heaven! Also, hats off to the staff who maintain composure even in the midst of the weekend onslaught when people pack in like sardines to get their sweet fix.
(5)Robin S.
Best desserts I've ever eaten. While I am a chocolate girl normally, I have to agree the burnt almond torte is out of this world. For a smaller version try the burnt almond cup...about the size of half a small cupcake, but just as delicious and a very controlled portion. Not that i was interested in this this weekend...my husband and I got a variety of cups...2 dozen to be exact with plans to take them out to friends and family. Our friends and family got some of the second dozen, but we housed the first and a few of the second. Next to the burnt almond cup (I've only had the cups) my favorites were the red velvet (take that all you stupid cupcake trucks), the german chocolate and the white chocolate rasperry. But they were all good...I couldn't say any were something I wouldn't steal from a small child. I love how all the cups these are like sushi in their delivery.you get a bit of everything in each small bite. One thing to be aware of...some of their cups are *very* sweet so if you're not a fan of sugar I might suggest the tiramisu or german choclate...they are a little less sugary than the rest.
(5)Chanel D.
I read an article entitled "Thank You, Pittsburgh, For The Greatest Cake America Has Ever Made" in the Huffington Post several months ago and told my sister who goes to school there about it so she could check it out. Being an awesome and thoughtful sister, she surprised me with one during a visit here in D.C. This thing is so light, airy, and sweet without being too sweet. I brought it to work to share with my coworkers because I needed to get it out of the house lest I start having the bottomus of a hippo. People had their doubts and were happy that I insisted that they try a piece. During my last visit to Pittsburg, we stopped into Prantl's to get the mini tortes. Warning: they come frozen so that you thaw them out later. I did not know this and took a bite while walking in 17 degree weather because I'm impatient and greedy, but thought that it was so cold it froze the thing. (I have since learned and will wait next time. ) They had other tasty treats but I really don't have a huge sweet tooth so was happy with our selection.
(4)Nisarga M.
I can eat their famous burnt almond torte for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Absolutely LOVE it! My only complaint is that I wish they close later than 6pm on a weekday and 4pm on Sundays!
(5)Janice D.
Thank you Huffington Post for sharing that this place has the 'Best Cake America has Ever Made' I was so intrigued that when it came to choosing the destination of our daughter's team's next hockey tournament, Pittsburgh was at the top of my list...solely for this bakery alone. We did end up competing in Pittsburgh, which was a really great and fun tournament. Our tournament coincided with Valentine's Day weekend and as a treat my husband took me here. The service, the choices, the cake! Amazing!! Very happy I was able to visit. Ended up purchasing an entire half sheet to take home to my team at work.
(4)Vincent D.
One of the best bakeries in the state as far as I'm concerned. The prices are almost too low to believe, then you bite into your delicious burnt almond torte and literally think you've died and gone to pastry heaven. Highly recommend for anything from a weekend treat to a family gathering to a wedding.
(5)Luke B.
Cinnamon roll doesn't look like much, but it's one of the best morning pastries in pittsburgh
(4)Tony D.
Of course I had to come here to try the famed almond torte eventually. It definitely was pretty unique--the way that the creamy texture of the inside meshed with the flaky almonds outside is not to be found anywhere else on any other pastry. It was almost perfect; personally, I think it was just a tad too sweet for my own tastes, but I can see why it has its fans. I haven't tried anything else here yet, other than an almond cup one time when the torte was gone (the cup was just the right sized dessert actually), but they have a lot of other cute and interesting pastries. I would also praise their friendly service and efficient customer numbering system.
(4)Hardcory C.
Their famous almond bar was pretty good. I really liked the sugar coated crunchy almonds. But the frosting was sooo rich like borderline straight butter, and the cake part was nothing special. I would probably give this four stars, but the girl working there was extremely unpleasant and they were not busy so meh.
(3)Susan S.
Awesome baked goods. What more needs to be stated.
(5)Jennifer M.
5 stars for burnt almond torte cake! I didn't have anything else here. The prices seemed pretty fair and everything looked great/ freshly baked. I would recommend a visit to this bakery.
(5)Brooke J.
So glad I popped in here! I love local bakeries and this one is tremendous! The almond torte is too die for! Also sampled the cookies and cream, red velvet and peanut butter. Ranked: 1. Almond torte 2. Red velvet 3. Cookies and cream 4. Peanut butter (wasn't anything super special, but the flavors above were superb!) I binge are three & didn't feel guilty.
(4)Eric G.
1 word: Mmmmmmmmm! Though they don't have the greatest variety of goodies, you will be hard pressed to find better made and surprisingly rich items. They are most famous for their almond tortes- I first tried one at a party- and they do not disappoint. From pastries to tortes to cakes, every goodie I have tried has been close to exceptional. One suggestion I would have is for them to make a larger variety of croissants, as the chocolate ones are the only ones they have. A great little place to stop in on the weekend for a treat.
(5)Bear C.
I went in for cupcakes.... No occasion just a sweet tooth sugar addict. I came out with fruit pastries (apricot Danish and a pineapple Danish?!) A few cupcakes (red velvet... Something with roasted almonds on top, some sort of lemon cupcake, some type of carrot cake cupcake) Everything was delicious, moist, proper, not too sweet, not too oily, nothing! Amazing!! So those are my reasons for 4 stars, my 5th star alone is for their CINNAMON ROLL!!! I fell in love and didn't even go in for one!!! one of the best I've had in life I ate half warm and half cold and both ways were deliciously amazing!!
(5)Charlene W.
While I still like the almond torte, I just can't justify my original rating when the overall selections are just subpar. After trying a larger selection of their baked goods, especially the mini cake cups, I realized they all look delicious but when you bite into them, they're really dry and full of generic cake frosting. If you're still tempted to get one, go with the tiramisu since it has the redeeming factor of having a strong coffee flavor.
(2)Lane M.
The almond torte used to be the best, hands down. But, something happened sadly. The cake part is now dry??? Was there a change in recipe, ownership, something? Go back to the way it was done before. Maybe I just got an old cake, I don't know. But I'm really disappointed. The other stuff is good... this is just an almond torte review.
(2)Wang C.
I would give 5 stars but the wedding cake sample pack tasted differently from our actual wedding cake. which leads me to believe they skipped the final product. the cake looked great, and tasted good, however compared to the samples, it was a shell of quality. Everyone liked the cake, but we were disappointed after knowing what we should have received.
(3)Sarah K.
The burnt almond torte was recently voted as the best cake in the country and while that's a big title, it's most certainly one of my favorites. I'm not the biggest cake person but this one gets me. They sell it in a bar too if you want to just have a taste.
(4)Melanie Z.
I feel a bit guilty writing a review without having tried the Burnt Almond Torte, but I was out for a jog and feeling a bit indulgent, so I swung by Prantl's on my return trip. The prices are incredibly reasonable--I got a muffin, a "junior pecan roll" (aka mini), and a bottle of water, all for less than $4. As a home baker, I usually won't pay for baked goods, but these were tasty enough and definitely well-priced. The cashiers were friendly enough, though perhaps not outright pleasant, and I look forward to returning!
(4)Amy B.
I try very hard not to go to places like this. Cakes, donuts, cookies, they are so bad for you. But, I can't walk past this place when I'm in Shadyside. We bought Gobs, a giant sprinkle cookie, a giant iced brownie, and 3 burnt almond tort "thingys" - the small rectangular ones. Sooooooo good. It's a 3-way tie between Prantl' (cakes, cookies and such), La Gourmandine (croissants, danishes, other bread things), and Jean-Marc Chantellier's French bakery (macarons) for best bakery in Pittsburgh.
(5)Ingrid P.
Prantl's very disappoints me. My favorite is the mini version of their famous burnt almond cake. They somehow compact all the flavor of their sheet cake into one little cupcake and do not skimp on the burnt almonds as well as the icing. Some of the cupcakes are too sweet for me but they please my friend so it is just a matter of preference for sweetness.
(5)Lisa D.
Nothing comes close to a burnt almond torte bites:) heaven in your mouth.. If you are Eve in Pittsburgh or nearby it is so worth the trip to go get one.. I think they ship them:)
(5)George F.
This place was real good. I've lived in Pittsburgh for five years and I had never been, mainly because once I eat a cupcake I can't stop. Anyway, the employees were nice as hell and I gained 300 pounds. A+
(5)Michael B.
Best doughnuts in Pittsburgh. I generally pass on other baked goods. Mediocre bread. Generally unfriendly staff, but Walnut St. attracts pretty arrogant customers - so it makes sense.
(4)Laura T.
Prantl's is conveniently located in Shadyside and right in our path to our friend's house. Their waiting staff seems in a bit of a rush but is generally polite. That's about all the good things I can say about them. I've stopped by many many a nights driven by an inconsolable need for sweet treats. What you get is sweet but not a treat: sugar and butter fluffed up. Even the mini cakes are dry inside, the frosting is identical regardless of the color. I have no idea how you can sell over 6 types of cup/mini-cakes and have them all taste in the same way. There are all these things called lemon zest and fruits that should make them taste differently.
(2)Carl F.
After falling in love with the burnt almond torte while living in PGH, we wanted to have it at our California wedding. Recent publicity meant they were not able to ship the cakes for us. Thankfully they were very responsive to email questions and requests and made it very easy for a friend to ship the cakes for us. They arrived in perfect condition and were delicious.
(5)Patricia W.
I really wanted to like this bakery! I came in with high expectations, I'll admit, because I thought I had heard good things about it. I bought about four different pastries to sample with a friend so we could eat them with our coffee across the street. Though the presentation of the treats were lovely, every single one I picked out was sickeningly sweet and tasted the same as the next. Far too much frosting on each pastry and we only could finish one small pastry between the two of us. Overall, unimpressed. However, it probably doesn't help that I had just come back from Austria which arguably has the best pastries in the world!
(2)Michele W.
Oh, baked almond torte, how I love you. Why, though, must you be so caloric!?! It distresses me that I must save you for special occasions.
(5)Rebecca G.
Meh is right. My whole family is in love with Prantl's enough so that they convinced me to get my birthday cupcakes from there... First of all. They don't have cupcakes they have these little mini cakes that cost an arm and a leg, and are mostly fluffed up icing...bleh. Then, they aren't even that nice! My mom ordered the cakes, and I didn't know what name they were under... I understand that you have a line, but there is no reason to tell me i am wasting your time, when I am obviously buying something. MAYBE they could have know which order was mine by my telling them what was in it, but nope they needed the name. So I had to guess through a few before I got it BFD! Rude, crowded, and most importantly not that great!
(2)David B.
Marvelous bakery. They are quite famous for their burnt almond torte, and it never disappoints. I thought I would have to order this ahead, but it seems as if they always have plenty on hand.
(4)Shawn O.
My review for Prantl's is going to be two-fold. 1.) As a regular bakery. I absolutely love going to either this or the downtown location to pick up some "cake bites" or any of the other delicious items they create. I will say stray away from the traditional non-sugar coated items (muffins, etc.), which while good, don't compare to other offerings around the city. 2.) As the bakery who baked our wedding cake. When it came down to it, I knew from the beginning that I was doomed to have a Prantl's Burnt Almond Torte as our wedding cake. This unassuming, simply decorated, flavor powerhouse is the epitome of love it/hate it relationships of those in the burgh... and I happen to be on the love it side. Our cake ended up being ABSOLUTELY fantastic. Definitely not a looker, but man did she please. What didn't please us is the customer service. After placing the order for the wedding cake at the Shadyside location, the wife and I followed up with a question at the Market Square location (we both work downtown and were told we could modify our order there for convenience). What ensured was what I can only describe as a sales commission war, with the bridal rep downtown more or less abducting us from the Shadyside location and even calling us to complain when we didn't call her directly thereafter. Up until we first saw the cake the day of the wedding, we honestly weren't even sure what we were getting (we had to actually calculate the bill for the rep downtown... yea.). Despite all of this, I just simply can't bash the cake. Our guests did nothing but rant and rave about it, so majority wins here.
(4)Jessica W.
Oh. My. Goodness. Try their sugar cookies or their almond cake-- you will be in sweet tooth heaven. The only thing I dislike about this place is that it's not open 24/7.
(5)Old P.
It's just your regular everyday bakery. Nothing special here. The prices are reasonable and the sweets are good!
(4)Brandy W.
This place is the BOMB DOT COM. {does anyone still say that? I'm 30 and so out of touch with reality} But I do know dessert and it's official. This place has the very best burnt almond torte ever. If you're reading this and thinking that sounds gross, it's not. It's basically a piece of the most moist cake you'll ever eat covered with slivered almonds and other goodness I can't describe. All these people below me can't be wrong. So good that you'll rip open the box in the car and realize you don't have a fork but devour it with your hands because it's that good. I might have some experience in that department. Mayyyyyybe. Eat cake.
(5)Kyle T.
I quite enjoy Prantl's and have been getting birthday cakes and assorted pastries from here for a few years now. All of the pastries and cakes that I've bought have been quite yummy and well sized It would be nice if they offered more fresh baked goods than they currently do, since it's hard to find fresh baked goods in Shadyside. The pastries are fairly priced but the cakes are pretty expensive. I would definitely recommend going here if you are looking for a tasty treat.
(4)blah b.
Amazing pastries! Gotta go and check it out. We had the almond tort, cream horn and the gob. All great! Reasonable prices too.
(5)Anne C.
I love going to Prantl's especially since I have no form of transportation other than my legs, a bike, and a bus. From campus this seems like the best option for some baked goods. While the sweets themselves are not too impressive, they do the job and they aren't that expensive. Nothing blew my mind from here except their almond pastries which seem to be their specialty.
(3)Faith A.
YUMMY YUMMY. Prantl's is always a good choice for me to take to my customers. I have been here numerous times since the late 1990's and one thing remains consistent... it is still scrumptious. One thing that I like about them here, is that when I pop in to buy cookies or cupcakes or anything for that matter, if I am buying a larger quantity, they do not act like they are being put out (I know, shocking that some places actually act like you are doing a disservice when you buy a lot of stuff). Everyone is friendly here and very helpful. I have never had anything bad here. If you are having a hankering for something sweet, Prantl's is a good choice!
(4)Carly K.
I love the red velvet cupcakes, and the burnt almond torte is to die for. I'm not a huge chocolate person, so this dessert hits the spot every time. The white icing is perfectly fluffy and not too sweet. The cream hiding out in several of the layers is light and not too creamy. The smattering of toasted thinly sliced almonds covering the cake is my favorite part! I love going to the downtown location to get individually portioned pieces of burnt almond torte because you get almonds in every single bite! If you plan on ordering anything in advance, make sure to do it early so you don't miss out! If you're ever wandering around Walnut Street in Shadyside or Market Square downtown, stop in to Prantl's. You won't be disappointed.
(4)M L.
Nope. Sorry, I grew up in pgh. Heart of a true pittsburgher. But my gosh. One word for prantl's: crisco. Seriously, my arteries hurt after eating a desert from this place. Not half as good as a few of the French etc bakeries around. Why waste your cardiovascular health on this place--go get gelato next door and you'll be better off!
(2)Kendrah R.
I can only speak to the burnt almond torte from Shadyside. After all, why would you buy anything else in a store when you could buy one of the most heavenly cakes on earth? I have been eating this cake since childhood. It is a favorite. Whoever invented this torte deserves a medal. I thank you most sincerely. You've gotta eat it cold so you can experience the thick texture of the icing with the crisp but not too crunchy coating of slivered almonds. And though the icing is sweet, it is cut by the creamy coolness of the vanilla custard and light white cake. Somewhere in there is just the right slight taste of salt. Heaven, pure heaven. Great tip: My brother had it as his wedding cake. The store made three inexpensive fake round cakes that looked like burnt almond tortes and were on pedestals of varying height with beautiful fresh flowers at the base. You never, ever would have known they were fake. (I know it sounds super tacky but was not.) Meanwhile, the actual burnt almond torte was delivered in sheet pans and cut in the back. So much more cost effective than having some over the top looking wedding cake. It looked beautiful and tasted so, so good. Out of towners who had never had Prantl's were amazed.
(5)Kristin K.
Prantl's made our wedding cakes and a cookie table and they were FANTASTIC. We had a vision of having multiple small cakes and they worked with us on four smaller cakes- two that were the famous Burnt Almond Torte, one that was chocolate and one that was white chocolate and raspberry. The cookie table was pretty standard, with a mix of cookies- and all were delicious. Overall, they were extremely reasonably priced and delicious; and I loved their willingness to work with us on designing a cake and cookie plan that was a little different than a standard wedding cake.
(5)Michaela R.
They have the best Burnt Almond Torte, so Good! And if you like lady locks their the best I've had also. Another of my favorites are the little cake cups they make . There are a variety, like Burnt Almond Torte, Cookies and Cream, Pumpkin cheesecake, Vanilla Raspberry, German Chocolate, and so on. Its the perfect miniature dessert! For my daughters wedding I ordered five dozen of these for the cookie table. They were a nice addition to the cookies and display beautifully. They were a Big Hit!
(5)Val G.
Burnt almond torte deserves the title of best cake in America. Delicious. Very busy bakery. Came in to pick up an order while I was in town, long wait but to be expected as they do have the best cake in America. Pecan tassies are also delicious. Online ordering is very easy and convenient for easy pick up.
(4)Cameo W.
The cinnamon rolls are so good. They are almost half cream cheese icing which is delicious. Plan to be in a sugar coma afterward but its so worth it! The red velvet looked good but I felt too guilty to order more after ordering all five of the cinnamon rolls they had left :)
(5)Celeta S.
Had the spinach and feta turnover and it was delicious. Anytime I go to Prant'ls I have a toasted almond cup. This is the best pastry ever. Lol seriously the ultimate. Its never let me down. The service is ok...it gets crowded so be patient but certainly wait for it.
(5)Sara C.
We had an engagement cake made and it was absolutely delicious. Everyone commented on how good it was and how beautiful it looked. Ordering it was very easy and even when I needed to have it made one day earlier they had no problem doing it. I will definitely be buying all of my cakes from here!
(5)Chuck M.
The burnt almond torte is as good as the hype, possibly better. I have also tried a few of their other various baked good and cupcakes. Love this place.
(5)Tara L.
Like many others, I saw the Huffpost article calling Prantl's burnt almond torte the best cake in America. Being a pastry chef myself, I had to try it. I was not impressed. The cake itself is light, fluffy, and pleasant enough (which is the only reason I didn't go for one star), but the filling was, well, if I didn't know it had filling I wouldn't have been able to detect any from the taste. The frosting was average bakery fare (which, to me, is a below average taste). I did like that the almonds stayed crispy even through shipping. I ate one slice, and gave the rest away. Might be fine to serve with coffee, etc if you are a local, but definitely not worth the price and shipping. I doubt this is even the best cake in Pittsburgh, much less the entire USA. I wonder which Prantl's family member has a friend at Huffpost?
(2)Snake P.
If you want to get pastries while being yelled at by the staff and treated like dirt, this is the place for you.
(1)Stacie C.
Three words: Burnt. Almond. Torte. It might just be my favorite dessert ever. Beyond that, I'm never disappointed by anything at Prantl's and over the years I think I've tried most of their creations. Bread is good. The simple sugar cookies are the best. Pastries are always a treat. And the prices are reasonable. If you want to try a great bakery in Pittsburgh, look no further.
(5)Kiki S.
Almond torte cake is way too overhyped. I ordered one after seeing an article on Huffington Post so with a description like that who wouldn't want to try it!? It's a diabetics worst nightmare, sugar overload. The filling in the middle had a bland taste, nothing special about it. Maybe it's because I ordered the cake and had it shipped to MD that it tasted bad. People raving about this cake should try middle eastern or Greek bakeries! I gave a two because they have great customer service when emailing back.
(2)Sophia C.
I generally am not a fan of baked goods. HOWEVER, Prantl's has me coming back and wanting more. The toasted almond cups are to die for. GET. THEM. I believe it's a mini version of their burnt almond torte? Either way, ah-mazing. I even liked their donuts! I never eat donuts. The only donuts I ever liked in my life were Krispy Kreme's original glazed donuts. After KK died, I have never enjoyed a donut since. However, today at Prantl's, their glazed donut was calling to me. Ohmygosh. I devoured that thing in literally five seconds. In one word, yum.
(5)Ashley A.
Burnt almond torte. So good! Definitely lives up to its reputation. I was sad they didn't sell it by the slice, but it's probably a good business decision for them because I bought a whole cake. Lots of other tasty-looking cookies and breads but those will have to wait until the next time I'm in Pittsburgh!
(5)Dave P.
Delicious. We got six things and it came to just about 10 bucks. They are all very tasty. I especially like the cinnamon roll. Staff were polite and expedient.
(5)Jordana M.
In sum, if you have been living under a rock or are new to the 'burgh then you may not know that this place has the most amazing Burnt Almond Torte. I can't say much for their other treats as I have partaken in few. However, the Burnt Almond Torte will not disappoint..unless you do not have a palate. I keep the logic with food simple- if a place is "famous" for serving a specific item then try it. In this instance, the Burnt Almond Torte is a heaven sent delight. The two layers of moist light yellow cake suspended creamy rich custard, covered in lightly sweetened and fluffy pastry cream with an outer layer crusted with toasted sweet glistening almonds. I am thankful I did not discover this dessert until I was married. I would have easily polished off this cake after a rough exam or breakup. Fortunately, my husband can share the caloric intake with me. Then again, for those with more self-control they offer a significantly smaller ration in the petit four style presentation. I have also had the pleasure of tasting this version which did not disappoint. Now for some other items on the shelves. ..the brownies look much more appetizing than they are in reality. The chocolate lacks richness and depth and the batter is drowning in nuts. It is one thing to highlight a brownie in nuts, it is another to forget you are even eating something other than chopped nuts. I've also had a few of their cookies. Hrmp. Nothing bad but nothing good that was memorable either. I say stick with the torte. Also, I must note that the wedding cake tasting is a complete disaster. No worries, I did not deduct points as I might have caught them on a bad day and I did not try the cake. Whilst still engaged two years ago...Prantl's was my top choice until I arrived for the tasting. Imagine many brides in such a small area and limited staff to assist- provided a cow-herd atmosphere to the tasting. Not my thing- I walked in and walked right back out. I am sure their wedding cakes are amazing yet many places also provide spectacular cakes [hint hint Kribel's bakery is where I got my affordable and tasty gem of a cake] minus the cow herd =)
(4)Dee C.
Very good doughnuts! Only purchased the glazed but if you heat it up it's oh so good. Also, the cinnamon roll was delightful. Not a fan of their cookies, but hey everything else is very good. If you have a sweet craving, this is definitely a top spot to come pig out at.
(4)Serena T.
Yumster in my Tumster! I first got introduced to Prantl's a few years ago when I lived in Shadyside. I tried their decorative cookies and I was hooked. Since then I've tried many of their delectable pastries and some noteworthy ones include the decorative cookies, almond torte, and pecan tassies - I'm sure everything else is also wonderful! I'm so happy they recently opened up their downtown location, now I don't have to worry about hours of operation b/c I work so close to them downtown, but I still think fondly of the Shadyside location. I definitely recommend this place for a quick sugary snack or if you need to buy pastries for a group of people. It is more expensive than some other bakeries, but I think this is the type of place where "you get what you pay for" is applicable.
(5)Elizabeth B.
Wow! Their burnt almond torte is a Pittsburgh staple, and the few other things that I've tried from them have been equally delicious! I highly recommend checking out this bakery.
(4)Gordon S.
I have three words for you: burnt almond torte. I'm not a huge fan of pastries, but this is tremendous.
(5)Katie M.
Sweet god, the burnt almond torte. I live out of town now and still dream about it (and I make trips there anytime I'm home and in Shadyside). Gah! It's that good. Nothing compares (you KNOW it's going to be good when the box weighs about 5 pounds). I haven't tried the travel version with pastry cream instead of custard, but trust me, the custard is worth it. The cookies are excellent, too -- particularly the butter cookies and hamentashens -- as are the cupcakes, but the almond torte is a must.
(5)Tamara Q.
This is always a treat... the beloved burnt almond torte lives up to the hype and is never a disappointment. Seasonal items like pumpkin gob is enjoyable as well. Prices are affordable, though you may need to go elsewhere for the perfect coffee to pair with your dessert :D.
(4)Sarah H.
I got cupcakes from Prantl's for my wedding (five different flavors, two of which we invented together) and they were absolutely perfect. They came cold and over the time of the ceremony were the perfect temperature to serve. Everyone was saying that these were the best desserts they had in a long time. The fabulous different flavors and the low cost for the cupcakes make this a must use for a wedding! I highly recommend them for any event, but especially if you want to impress your out of town wedding guests!
(5)Jenny B.
I came in here looking for an Italian loaf to serve with dinner at around 2 PM and was rudely informed by the girl at the counter that they were sold out of pretty much anything of the sort. Disappointed, but being new to Pittsburgh, I got a small "bar" version of the famous burnt almond torte. Regardless of the bad service, I'll be back for another piece of almond torte...it was that awesome.
(4)Michael U.
Driving away from Casbah we set the GPS to the Warhol museum...dessert could be cupcakes at Dozen in the Warhol Café, we figured. Driving though the streets of Pittsburgh up to Walnut Street the GPS alerted us that a programmed destination was close and our plans changed - Prantl's would be dessert, instead. Ever intrigued by restaurants, shops, bakeries, and cafes that become infamous for a single item (see Haydel's in NOLA or Patisserie Claude in NYC) I felt it necessary to see if the Burnt Almond Torte lived up to the hype. Parking at a Premium at this time of day I hopped out while the others circled the block. Entering the small shop and finding no less than 7 people waiting in line I grabbed a number and browsed the selections - 5 full cases ranging from whole cakes to single iced cookies and everything in between. With 5 servers behind the counter the line moved quickly and it would be a matter of minutes before I had to make a decision - opting for three items that spanned a wide range I paid the modest $6 tab and made my way outside. Opening the string-tied box the smell of cinnamon quickly filled the air announcing to everyone my first selection - a still-slightly-warm Cinnamon roll. Ample, yeasty, and loaded with butter and Cinnamon I quite liked that the pastry was not overly-iced, instead focusing on the more nuanced flavors and natural yeasty flavor of the roll. While my sister contested it would have been better hot (I can't say I disagree) it was an excellent pasty none the less. The second selection was ordered more out of tradition than out of necessity - a chocolate cupcake with colorful sugary frosting. Having not yet indulged on a cupcake in our Pittsburgh trip I can't say this option looked particularly interesting, but tradition is tradition and surprisingly it was actually quite good. Simple white on black cake, moist and sweet - nothing new, but certainly an adequate cupcake for $0.99. The final choice was obviously the Burnt Almond Torte - a single "Bar" for $3.25. Large and heavy I was expecting to have my mind blown given the reviews all I can say is that the rumors are true. Somewhat Twinkie, somewhat Pound Cake, smooth and complex custard plus whipping cream, and sugar laden almonds cooked to just short of scorched. Crispy, creamy, crispy, creamy - layer upon layer of home style decadence. Sharing the bar around the car (and making a mess) everyone agreed that this was one of the best baked goods we'd ever experienced - and an absolute bargain at that. Really, much like King Cake in NOLA and Pizza in Chicago I can't imagine going back to Pittsburgh and not getting a slice of Burnt Almond Torte from Prantl's.
(5)S L.
Nothing stood out, including the famous burnt almond torte.
(2)October R.
I'm not really a dessert person, but I was going home to visit and I always like to bring a little bit of Pittsburgh home with me so I stopped in for some goodies. I got an assortment of their mini pastries which was perfect because you get to sample a little bit of everything. Everyone was impressed. In fact, so impressed that I'm not allowed home without a Prantl's box in my hand. The burnt almond torte with vanilla icing is simply to die for. I've had it several times and it's always been moist and an explosion of nutty goodness with every bite. Let me stop myself... this is starting to sound dirty. In addition to wonderful pastries, they also offer a decent selection of breads and rolls which are tasty as well, but I wouldn't go out of my for them.
(5)Keri K.
Pastries, brownies, doughnuts, breads, cakes, cupcakes, cookies, danishes, muffins, and more. Reasonable prices and fresh goodies! Today was my first experience at Pranti's. BF and I walked in and it was packed but the wait was not long before someone asked what we wanted. My eyes darted back and forth trying to pick something. That was a challenge.., Finally after talking to the counter girl, my BF, and myself I decided to go with a brownie and a cookie. BF picked a doughnut. The bill came to under $4 bucks. The chocolate chip cookie was as thick as a blondie bar but bigger in circumference. The brownie was enormous and has walnuts in it. The doughnut was chocolate and vanilla frosted and my man ate it up within 2 seconds flat. Addicting! Delicious baked treats. The coffee cakes here with the white powdery stuff on top looked so good. Maybe next time....
(5)Mac O.
White chocolate raspberry cup, chocolate peanut butter bar, burnt almond torte, oh my!
(4)Mi Z.
Too sweet. Tried the famous almond cake and some cupcakes. Cannot even finish eating them. Plus, the stuff there are rude, maybe just because there are too many customers in the little place.
(3)Pragna H.
Burnt almond torte is probably one of the most delectable dessert item I have ever had. Seriously. It is so good that if it sits in my fridge I have to make deals with god like, "I am not going to finish the rest of my torte, but dear god, in return you give me xyz." True story. I also love love love Prantl's for its plethora of dessert cups. These are two-bite (five bites for me really, I like to eat my dessert slowly to make it last longer) desserts that come in a variety of flavor (combos) - toasted almond cup (teeny tiny version of burnt almond torte), German chocolate, white chocolate raspberry, etc. Soo good! I have tried a bite of their brownie, pretty good. No idea what the rest of the pastries are like. I like to try things, but in Prantl's I will stick to the little cups. If I am going to spend more calories, one more cup then!
(4)Cara M.
I purchased a wide range of cookies and cupcakes from Prantl's for Valentines Day this year and they were amazing. It was a bit pricey but being one of the few real bakeries in Pittsburgh, I was willing to pay the extra bit. The cupcakes were moist and not too sweet. I will be coming back again.
(4)Lanxin M.
too sweet for me
(3)Maria C.
With such great reviews I have been trying! I have been there tree times now and I am not surprised! The prices are reasonable and you get decent food. But thats not what I expected. The chocolate and caramel trotewas bad! The cupcakes were ok but for 1usd you can't expect much. The buttercream wasnt impressive... But the filled croissants with blueberry or the one with cheese were not bad at all. It was not a real croissant but satisfying. Since it is in a really convenient location I will probably go back but without the expectations that I had before.
(3)Darren W.
If the Triple Threat offered at Cafe Phipps is any indicator of Prantl's caliber, then we have one imposing bakery on our hands. The Triple Threat consists of a Chocolate Mary Ann, a White Chocolate Raspberry Cup, and that Burnt Almond Torte people whisper about, each shrunken to a size that takes 2-3 bites to finish. Mary Ann, the brunette, was my favorite of this terrific trio, but I've always had a thing for brunettes, so perhaps I'm biased. The flawlessly fluffy choco-frosting and choco-cake collude to make your mouth fall in love with The Girl From Uptown of Pittsburgh's pastry scene... youtube.com/watch?v=M14T… I mean, Shadyside's high rent, man. She'd never go for me. I don't have the slightest shot. The WCRC (is that a radio station?) came in a tight second. The raspberry jam on top was accidentally eaten in one bite, so Kay didn't get to taste that, but I did and feel privileged for that. BAT lived up to her hype, but she's not as easy to talk to. I kid the desserts and upper-income ladies. BAT lived up to her substantial reputation. Icing as white and light as a blouse, toasted almonds crunchy, ablaze like expensive jewelry. She's wearing a fur coat, and people love to hate her for it, but to be close to her is utter luxury. She's Ivana Trump with the looks of a Victoria's Secret model. That's what it tastes like, and no I do not use hallucinogens. Sadly, I only got one bite of each... youtube.com/watch?v=YDdQ…
(5)Emily G.
I don't even like cake, but, the best dessert I have ever had is the Burnt Almond Torte from Prantl's! It is so delicious, nothing compares!
(5)Ro C.
Adding another 'aye' attesting to the fabulousness of the burnt almond torte. The service, on the other hand, leaves much to be desired. The young lady taking our order needs to either control her animosity towards customers, or consider bowing out of a career in the service industry. For one, don't hate us because we need you to place some pastries inside a paper bag. For another, hand our goods to us, without putting them on top of the glass displays, next to 2 similar bags with other people's orders. If I was interested in playing guessing games, I'd pick someone more personable to play with. For the sake of the delicious baked goods, I'm going to give her the benefit of doubt and mention that it looked like she had a bad cold on the day we went in. Maybe she was just ill and not interested in being where she was at that point in time.
(3)Jeff G.
Yum! I just picked up a cookie platter ($32...see photo) for a party and it looks awesome. Can't wait to have my guests drool over the buttery goodness that are Prantls' cookies. Other than the treats, this place makes some really decent bread. I've tried it a few times now, and have yet to be disappointed. If you live in Shadyside, make sure to check this place out. ...oh and they sell Enrico's biscottis. Can't go wrong with those!
(4)Bonnie T.
If you have not tried their Burnt Almond Torte you must comehere! These are like crack, get one for someone's birthday if they love almonds, they'll love you for sure! They are frozen so make sure you take it out of the fridge a little bit ahead of time before serving, it'll be a huge hit for any parties or holidays!
(5)