Amish Sweetheart Pudding, a Valentine's Day classic
By Kevin Williams
Valentine's Day is noted in some Amish communities, more because of secular commercial culture seeping in. Amish kids at public schools will be exposed to it, Amish people heading to towns see the specials for roses and chocolates, and young couples use it as an excuse to court. I was visiting an Amish family on Valentine's Day, not deliberately, it just so happened I was in the area on that day, and she was making heart-shaped glazed doughnuts. Oh man, they were good. Never did get the recipe, but here are some others I've collected over the years that are often prepared to mark the day Cupid's arrow hits.
- Crust:
- 3 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1 /2 cup butter, melted
- 1 /4 cup white sugar
- Pudding:
- 3 egg yolks
- 4 cups milk
- ½ cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- Top layer:
- 3 egg whites
- 3 tablespoons white sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Crust: Mix together, reserve 1 cup and putting remaining crumbs in pan.
- Pudding: beat egg yolks first and then fold in the rest of the ingredients and cook over medium heat until thickened.
- Mix well and pour over crumbs.
- Top layer:
- Beat egg whites, sugar and vanilla till stiff and glossy.
- Layer onto pudding and top with reserve crumbs.
- Bake at 350 till nice and brown, about 20 minutes.
STRAWBERRY PUFF PANCAKE: Try this recipe from Mennonite Girls can Cook, puff pancakes and strawberries are popular Valentine's dishes among the Plain people. Click here.
CUPID'S RASPBERRY SWIRL:
Crust:
3 /4 cup graham cracker crumbs
3 tablespoons margarine, melted
2 tablespoons brown sugar
Mix together and press into 9 X 13 pan. Bake at 375 for 9 minutes.
Topping:
3 eggs, separated
8 ounces cream cheese
1 cup white sugar
1 /4 teaspoon salt
1 cup heavy cream, whipped
1-10 ounce package frozen red raspberries, thawed
Beat egg yolks until thicken. Add cream cheese, sugar, and salt. Beat until smooth and light. Set aside.l Beat egg whites until stiff. Fold in whipped cream. Add to cream cheese mixture. Add half of raspberries and pour into the graham cracker crust. Pour the rest of the raspberries on top and swirl with knife. Freeze overnight and serve.
CHOCOLATE DREAM PUDDING
12 ounce milk chocolate bar
8 ounces cream cheeese
1 1 /2 cups brown sugar, divided
1 /2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon vanilla
4 eggs, separated
3 cups heavy whipping cream
Crust:
1 1 /2 - 2 small packages graham crackers, crushed
1 /2 cup margarine, melted
1 /4 cup brown sugar
Melt chocolate over hot (not boiling) water. Blend cream cheese and 1 cup sugar. Add salt and vanilla. Beat in egg yolks one at a time. Add cooled chocolate. Blend well. Beat egg whites until stiff (not dry), slwly beating in remaining 1 / 2 cup sugar. Beat until very stiff. Fold chocolate mixture into egg whites. Fold in whipped cream until well-blended. Put into graham cracker crust. Chill several hours
BAKED CHOCOLATE FUDGE PUDDING: Man, this is a good recipe and a classic in Amish settlements. This recipe comes to us from a Swartzentruber Amish community in Ohio. Click here.
Nana
Just a positive comment-I enjoy the "small talk". Is that not what we do when chatting with a friend and neighbor? I do not usually delve into the debates over NAFTA and global warming in light conversation. Keep up your work and stay true to thine self.
Nana
Regarding the Amish Sweetheart Pudding recipes: is there such a thing as melted coupons (lline 3) or is this a trick to see if readers are paying attention?
Kevin
oOPS, that was a bizarre coding error, let me fix it!
Kathy P
A few days ago I replied to your daily email which was about the spelling of Plattsburgh NY and how it used to be spelled Plattsburg. I lived in that area for 42 years and never saw it spelled that way, but anyhow it's a nice small city in Upstate NY. Many people like to call the Syracuse and Buffalo areas Update NY and they are not. However, the interesting food thing about Plattsburgh is it is where Michigan Red Hots originated. You and others mostly call them chili dogs and Coney Island dogs. Those to me are sorry knock offs. A Michigan is way better. I am including a link to the story of Michigan Hots which you may find interesting http://www.seriouseats.com/2010/06/hot-dog-of-the-week-plattsburgh-ny-michigans-new-york.html
PS: If you have never been to Plattsburgh you should visit there...especially in the fall. It's much nicer than Watertown which you mentioned you like better.
Kevin
Kathy, that is fascinating article, thank you for sharing, I never knew! Also, fair points you've made about Plattsburgh vs. Watertown, my comparisons aren't just. I have been through downtown Watertown and it was years and years ago and it was so charming, when I was there there was still a WOOLWORTH downtown! It was like a storybook setting...Plattsburgh I've only been to the interstate exits, so it really isn't a fair compare. And I do love Lake Champlain and you have that much closer, so,yeah, I'll give Plattsburgh a fair shake! - Kevin
Connie
I like your small talk, Kevin. Ignore the trolls. They are every where! Have we ever gotten seen Rachel? Love seeing the kiddos!