Whenever the Amish have a gathering, whether that’s for a festive occasion like a wedding or a barn-raising or pot luck whether it’s for a more somber event like a funeral, food is still a big part of the occasion, My mom's family is of Italian descent and food serves as the same "glue" to bring people together as it does among the Amish.
Carry-in meals, potluck-type casseroles that are warm comforting nourishing dishes are common whatever the occasion. And there is always a separate table, even at the some sad gatherings, for desserts.
There are so many mouth-watering recipes for dessert in the heart of Amish country (Lancaster County, I'm talking to you!). The dessert recipes are simple recipes, no fancy gourmet fondants or ganaches, just easy, delicious family dinner type desserts.
🍮 Five Favorite Amish Desserts For A Gathering
"Delights" are especially common, but so are crunches, cakes, and pies. Anything that is easily shareable. And also easy to make. Bars are also common. Cookies require a lot of labor and need to be made it batches, so cookies aren’t quite as common at a carry-in desert. But they are very few cookies that can’t be made into bars instead so you’ll see those. You won't find labor-intensive Amish desserts like fried pies or whoopie pies at a carry-in as much either.
❓FAQ Questions About Amish Gathering Desserts
So many! Again, they aim towards desserts that are comforting, portable, and easily serve a crowd, either after a church service or maybe at an outdoor barn-raising.
Pecan pie, shoofly pie, shoofly cake, those are just some of the basic recipes, the basic Amish dessert recipes found at such a gathering. Peanut allergies seem rare among the Amish, so peanut butter is often served in cookies or spreads.
Ice cream is a favorite but not served often, just because it melts and most Amish lack refrigeration.
🥣 The Food Factor
Among the Amish, it’s all about community and caring, and few things bind people together more than food, and when it’s something sweet, it just is a way of saying “life goes on “you can find pleasure even after pain.
Desserts are a “bomb “that they heal help heal after pain, but they also help celebrate after a happy time. Desserts are viewed as much a part of the cycle of Amish happiness and grief as comforting casseroles.
Amish desserts usually aren’t something fancy, they are usually something comforting and decadent. It’s interesting because you don’t see chocolate as a central feature in a lot of Amish desserts like you do non-Amish. Sure, chocolate chip cookies are always a favorite, but it's found it everything.
Most Amish cooks have a favorite recipe book of go-to favorites. Or they just have them memorized. But most of the recipes showcase the simplicity the Amish are known for, ingredients are very basic: flour, eggs, raisins, walnuts, It is amazing how many delicious recipes can be made out of the simplest of stuff (if you ever go to an Amish bake sale, you'll see this first-hand)
🎂 Five Favorite Amish Desserts For A Gathering!
🥧Amish Vanilla Crumb Pie
a delicious, simple pie that captures Amish culinary creativity. This is easy to make, comforting to eat, and a crowd-pleaser!
Amish Date Pudding
This date pudding is found at many Amish gatherings. Sort of a quirky dessert, and it is usually served in a big dish and people just scoop it out. It's really delicious!
The Amish Cook: Amazing Apple Pie Bars
a delicious way to enjoy seasonal apples, but apples are a year-round staple in Amish diets, so you'll find apple pies and apple bars year-round. These bars are perfect for packing up and taking to gatherings.
Amish Strawberry Rhubarb Crunch
This is another Amish "workhorse" recipe. You see "crunches" like this showing up at many Amish gatherings and occasions. Strawberry-rhubarb crunch is probably the most common, but you'll see blueberry, peach, and pumpkin versions also.
Amish Cherry Delight
This Amish recipe is a tried and true favorite. It shows up at many gatherigs such as weddings or funerals. It's colorful, festive, easy to serve (usually brought in a large pan, not served in elegant single serving dishes like pictured here). Cherry Delight is definitely an Amish favorite!
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