Prantl's
Prantl's Burnt Almond Torte is one of America's best cakes.

Pittsburgh holds a special place in American history for having made lots of really great stuff. Now, one Huffington Post writer has added to that list: the burnt almond torte from Prantl’s Bakery in Shadyside.

In a piece published this morning on the popular website, Julie Thomson wastes no time in declaring the torte as “the BEST cake America has to offer.”

Of course locally, this is no secret. Prantl’s confidently brands its burnt almond torte as Pittsburgh’s most famous dessert, and demand for the cakes is high enough that the bakery accommodates online orders and ships tortes all over the country. Commenters entirely missing the point bemoan the lack of a recipe included with the piece, but as most Pittsburghers know, that’s a closely guarded secret.

Read Thomson’s ode to America’s best cake.

Matthew Wein is a local writer, editor, blogger, storyteller and proud native Pittsburgher. Once described as "a man of things," he covers city design, spirits and craft beer for NEXT, where he keeps all of the editorial meetings light-hearted and interesting. His interests include sorting books, looking at old things and candles which smell like old-growth pine forests.