Amish culture is centered around fellowship, faith, and food. So whenever there is a gathering of people, whether it’s for a barn raising, a wedding, a funeral, or a regular Sunday church service, food is bound to follow. And in Amish culture it’s rarely just one person‘s job to supply the vittles, usually everyone pitches in. That means that tables quickly fill up with casseroles, desserts, salads, cookies, and everything else.
I’m always amazed at the variety of foods that show up at these Amish gatherings: dozen different types of casseroles, a bunch of different desserts, and on and on.
When it comes to desserts, “delights “ are super popular, delights are just a cream cheese, pudding, graham cracker filled, well, delight. They are wonderful. They serve a crowd quite well, and just stick a spoon in it and let people serve themselves. Cookies also lend themselves well to a crowd.
🥮 Amish Dessert Varieties
I'm always amazed at the vast variety of foods that the Amish consider desserts. Some of the favorites include:
- Pies
- cookies
- cakes
- Fruit
- Bread
- Doughnuts
But there is variety even among the variety, from fruit-filled pies to cream pies to gooey, chocolate pies. The same varieties can be found in cookies and cakes and bars.
❓ Why Is Dessert An Important Part of Amish Culture?
The Amish are a hard-working people that don't have a lot of "extras." You won't generally find fancy electronics, cameras, and appliances among the Amish. And visits to movie theaters and theme parks are rare. All of those things that bring a little bit of pleasure into a non-Amish person's life are generally absent, so the decadent taste of a chocolate chip cookie or the crumb topping of a peach pie are extra special, a sweet way to punctuate the end of a gathering or brighten a dull day.
🥧 7 Favorite Amish Carry-in Desserts
The Amish are known for hosting large gatherings and large gatherings mean something sweet to follow savory. Here are 7 favorite desserts that often show up at Amish gatherings!
Amish Strawberry-Rhubarb Crunch: Rhubarb is another item which seems to be a staple of Amish church gatherings, whether it is a pie or a crunch. Here is a bit more about this one:
Spring's arrival means rhubarb. And here come the "crunches" to Amish gatherings, like this Amish Strawberry Rhubarb Crunch. "Crunches" are popular among Amish cooks. I think probably because they are very low labor baked goods. For instance for a pie, there's that pesky crust you have to make first. But a crunch? You just sort of mix and put into a pan and, mmmmm, it is so good. Oatmeal is also is so great for adding a "crunch" to a dish and you just don't have that in a pie.
Click here for Amish Strawberry Rhubarb Crunch
Dirt Cake: This is not an Amish recipe per se. This is a popular recipe in many places, but with its combination of Oreos and pudding makes it an easy and popular crowd pleaser at Amish gatherings. And you can make it look like a springtime potted plant. So a fun dessert as well! Click here for the recipe.
Amish Peach Delight: next up in the Amish dessert "Hall of Fame" are delights. Delights almost always show up at an Amish gathering. Click here for this amazing recipe. Like the name implies, it is a delight! Click here for Amish peach delight.
Amish Oatmeal Pie (aka Mock Pecan Pie): Oatmeal pie is superb because it travels so well, holds up great if it is going to be sitting out for awhile, and is always a crowd favorite. Here's a bit more about this recipe, one of our favorite of the 7 Amish carry-in desserts!
Long-time readers of Amish365.com know that this Amish Mock Pecan Pie is one of my sentimental favorites, being the first recipe to ever appear in The Amish Cook column some 23 years ago! It often goes under the name "Oatmeal Pie." The name of the recipe has always been a bit tricky. A lot of people hear "oatmeal pie" and turn up their nose thinking of Cream of Wheat in a crust or something like that. But the reality of the pie belies the name, it's really very close in consistency and flavor to a pecan pie, which is why I am calling it "mock pecan pie." I've tried calling it "oatmeal cookie pie" also to make it sound more appealing, but mock pecan is probably better.
Toffee Coffee Dessert: This is a super one that appeared in The Amish Cook column awhile back. A definite crowd pleaser! Click here.
Amish Triple Treat Cookies: Amish Triple treat cookies are one of these fun cookies that, while likely not Amish in origin, has found its way into Amish kitchens and hearts to become favorites within the community. The cookie is easy to make, but packed full of flavor. Click here for Triple Treat Cookies.
World's Best Brownies: And, of course, at any Amish gathering you are going to see bars and or brownies. I saw these "World's Best Brownies" at a German Baptist Brethren gathering. Click here for the recipe.
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