12 Amish Cooking Hacks Every Home Chef Should Try

Cooking at home has its set of challenges, but imagine having a few secret ingredients up your sleeve that could transform your meals. That’s exactly what happened when I started incorporating some Amish cooking hacks into my routine.

From enhancing pies with shortening to enriching soups with hard-boiled eggs, these 12 hacks have revolutionized the way I cook. Each tip makes every dish not just easier to prepare but also incredibly satisfying to serve.

Shortening in Baking

Switching back to shortening in some of my baking experiments has been eye-opening. Contrary to popular belief, shortening can make your pastries exceptionally flaky and preserve their freshness longer.

Amish bakers are onto something with their mix of mostly shortening and a touch of butter. It’s cost-effective and gives pies and cookies that perfect, crumbly texture.

Incorporate Hard-Boiled Eggs for Richness

Integrating hard-boiled eggs into soups and pies might sound unusual, but this classic Amish trick adds both richness and nutritional value to dishes. I’ve tried it, and it’s a game-changer, especially in savory recipes.

The eggs thicken sauces beautifully and provide an extra protein boost, perfect for those busy days. Plus, it’s a great way to stretch more expensive ingredients like meat further.

Maximize Use of All Ingredients

Embracing the Amish ethos of using everything has profoundly changed how I approach cooking. From making rich stocks with leftover bones to finding creative uses for vegetable scraps, nothing goes to waste.

This practice not only saves money but also respects the resources we have. It’s a satisfying feeling to use every bit of what you have, turning what might seem like scraps into delicious, nourishing meals.

Balance Sweets with Activity

Diving into the world of Amish desserts has been nothing short of a delight. With their wide array of baked goods like shoofly pie and soft pretzels, it’s easy to wonder how they maintain such a healthy lifestyle. The secret? They’re constantly on the move, balancing calorie intake with physical activity.

This has definitely inspired me to enjoy my sweets guilt-free, knowing that a bit of extra movement can balance everything out.

Trust Your Senses for Cooking Times

I’ve learned that when it comes to cooking, sometimes you have to throw out the rulebook—or at least the timer. Amish cooks are masters at this, relying on visual cues like the golden edges of a pie or the vigorous bubbling of a stew to determine doneness.

Adopting this approach has not only made my dishes turn out better, but it’s also made cooking a more intuitive and rewarding experience.

Embrace Seasonal Eating

Incorporating the practice of eating seasonally has been a game changer in my kitchen. Inspired by the Amish, who treasure the natural cycle of the earth, I’ve started focusing on local and seasonal produce. The flavors are just incomparably fresher and richer.

Simplify Amish-Style Bread with Butter

Embracing the lush, rich flavors of Amish friendship bread without the long process of maintaining a starter has been a revelation in my kitchen. Here’s a shortcut that still gets that great taste: make your favorite bread recipe, and just before baking, brush the top generously with butter.

This simple step elevates the crust to a perfectly golden, slightly crisp texture while keeping the inside soft and fluffy.

Soften Brown Sugar the Easy Way

Stumbling upon rock-hard brown sugar can put a real damper on your baking plans. Luckily, I picked up this neat trick that works like a charm: just pop a slice of bread or an apple slice into your brown sugar container.

Let it sit overnight, and by the next morning, the sugar softens up beautifully, ready to sprinkle smoothly over your oatmeal or mix into cookie dough. This trick has saved me more times than I can count, especially when I’m in a rush to get those cookies in the oven!

Enhance Cherry Desserts with Vinegar

Adding a splash of vinegar to cherry desserts might sound odd, but it’s a secret I’ve borrowed from Amish cooks that transforms good into unforgettable. The trick lies in the vinegar’s acidity, which intensifies the natural tartness of the cherries, making each bite burst with more cherry flavor.

Whether it’s pies or jams, a little vinegar goes a long way in deepening the taste. You’ve got to try this in your next cherry pie; the difference is insane!

Keep Your Cookies Fresh Longer

Who doesn’t love the soft, comforting bite of a freshly baked cookie? Well, thanks to a clever tip from the Amish, gone are the days of disappointing, hard cookies.

Here’s what you do: store your cookies in an airtight container but don’t forget to add a slice of bread. It sounds simple, but this little piece of bread miraculously keeps your cookies moist and soft for days.

Even overcooked cookies get a second chance at softness. This has been a game-changer in my kitchen, especially during cookie-heavy seasons like the holidays!

Homemade Applesauce

Have you ever wondered what makes every Amish meal feel so comforting? It’s their homemade applesauce! Seriously, they’ve perfected this dish because it complements almost anything—from your morning pancakes to a savory dinner sausage.

I’ve found that using yellow apples gives you a beautifully smooth and sweet sauce. It’s a game-changer. Try folding it into muffins or serving it alongside a spicy grilled sausage for a blend of flavors that just sing.

Preserve the Seasons through Canning

Canning in the Amish kitchen is more than preserving food; it’s preserving memories of each season. Imagine capturing the essence of summer strawberries or the crisp snap of autumn apples to enjoy any time of the year.

I started following this method, using simple, low-tech tools to seal in that freshness. There’s nothing like opening a jar of homemade jam in winter to bring a little warmth to those chilly days.