Amish Easter Treats: Sweet Traditions and Timeless Recipes
Easter in Amish communities blends solemn reflection with cherished culinary traditions, offering a glimpse into a culture that prioritizes simplicity and heartfelt celebration. While commercial candy aisles overflow with chocolate bunnies, many Amish families craft homemade treats steeped in generational recipes. Here are three beloved confections that embody the spirit of an Amish Easter, along with insights into their seasonal customs.
Amish Easter Traditions
Amish Easter observances vary by community but often include fasting until afternoon meals, scripture readings, and family gatherings. While sunrise services aren’t typical, some groups hold regular church services if Easter falls on a scheduled Sunday. The holiday also marks the arrival of spring, with families foraging dandelions for jams or gravies.
Candy-making thrives during this season, with Amish women and children collaborating on treats like peanut butter eggs, raisin puffs, and coconut cream chocolates. These sweets reflect a commitment to self-sufficiency and generosity, often shared as gifts or sold at local bakeries.
1. Amish Peanut Butter Eggs
Similar to Reese’s but with a homemade touch, these eggs are a holiday staple.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup softened butter
- 1¼ cups creamy peanut butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 10–12 oz melting chocolate
Instructions:
- Mix: Blend butter and peanut butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and salt, mixing until creamy.
- Chill: Refrigerate dough for 1 hour. Shape into eggs (½–¾” thick) using a cutter or hands.
- Freeze: Place eggs on parchment-lined trays; freeze 15 minutes.
- Coat: Dip chilled eggs in melted chocolate, tap off excess, and refrigerate until set.
“These capture the essence of Amish tradition—simple ingredients, made with love,” notes an Amish blogger.
2. Raisin Puff Cookies
A less-sweet alternative to sugar cookies, perfect for brunch.
Ingredients:
- 1½ cups raisins
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup butter
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 eggs
- 1½ cups sugar
- 3¼–3½ cups flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 tbsp sugar + ½ tsp cinnamon (for coating)
Instructions:
- Cook Raisins: Boil raisins in water until liquid evaporates. Cool, then mix with butter and baking soda.
- Combine: Beat vanilla, eggs, and sugar. Add raisin mixture, then flour and salt. Chill dough 2 hours.
- Bake: Roll dough into balls, coat in cinnamon-sugar, and bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes.
“Light, puffy, and just sweet enough—they’re a family favorite,” shares a home baker who adopted the recipe.
3. Coconut Cream Chocolate Eggs
A creamy, tropical twist on classic chocolate eggs.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 8 oz dark chocolate
Instructions:
- Mix: Combine coconut, sugar, cream, and vanilla until dough-like.
- Shape: Form into eggs; freeze 20 minutes.
- Coat: Dip in melted chocolate and chill until firm.
Tip: Add a drop of coconut extract for enhanced flavor.
The Heart of Amish Easter
These recipes highlight the Amish emphasis on community and craftsmanship. Whether gifted to neighbors or sold at bakeries like Shiloh General Store, each treat carries the warmth of hands-on preparation. As families gather to decorate eggs and bake together, the act of sharing becomes as meaningful as the faith they celebrate.
“Easter reminds us to slow down and savor what we’ve made—and who we’ve made it with,” reflects an Amish mother from Ohio.
