Amish peanut butter, also known as Amish church spread, is a sweet, creamy peanut butter mixture traditionally served with homemade bread and buns at Amish church meals. Made with peanut butter, marshmallow creme, and a sweetener like molasses or corn syrup, this spread is smooth, rich, and a familiar part of Amish food traditions.
Growing up in Lancaster County, Amish peanut butter spread was always part of the church meal, and the version I had most often was made with molasses. While more than one recipe is used in Amish communities, the molasses-based peanut butter spread is the one I know best, and it's the recipe I'm sharing here, along with an easier three-ingredient option.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Amish Peanut Butter Spread
- Ingredients
- What Kind of Molasses Is Best to Use?
- How to Make Amish Peanut Butter
- A Quicker Amish Peanut Butter Recipe (3-Ingredient Version)
- Does Amish Peanut Butter Need to be Refrigerated?
- How to Enjoy This Sweet Peanut Butter Spread
- Amish Church Spread
- More Amish Recipes with Peanut Butter
- More Amish Recipes
- 📖 Recipe Card
Why You'll Love This Amish Peanut Butter Spread
- A true Amish classic - This creamy peanut butter spread is a traditional recipe served at Amish church meals with homemade bread and buns.
- Sweet, creamy, and nostalgic - The combination of peanut butter, marshmallow creme, and molasses creates a rich, smooth spread that's sweet, slightly caramel-like, and deeply comforting.
- Feeds a crowd - This recipe makes a large batch, which is perfect for gatherings, church meals, holidays, or anytime you need something that goes a long way.
- Two recipe options - You can make the classic molasses version or choose the quicker three-ingredient peanut butter spread, depending on what you have on hand.
- No fancy ingredients - Everything in this recipe is simple, affordable, and easy to find.
- Versatile - Spread it on bread or buns, use it for sandwiches, or serve it with fruit and snacks.
Ingredients
- Brown sugar - Adds sweetness and depth, giving the spread a warm, caramel-like flavor.
- White sugar - Balances the molasses and helps create the smooth syrup base.
- Molasses - Provides richness and that classic Amish church peanut butter flavor.
- Water - Dissolves the sugars and creates the syrup that gives this spread its creamy texture.
- Creamy peanut butter - The base of the spread. Use regular, shelf-stable creamy peanut butter for the smoothest results.
- Avoid natural peanut butter or varieties that separate, as they can make the spread oily or grainy.
- Marshmallow creme - Makes the spread light, fluffy, and smooth.
What Kind of Molasses Is Best to Use?
Not all molasses tastes the same, and the type you use will affect the final flavor.
- Light or mild molasses has a smoother, sweeter flavor and is what I recommend.
- Blackstrap molasses is very bold and slightly bitter and is not recommended for this recipe.
Sometimes I use a combination of molasses types to get some depth without making the spread too strong. (King syrup and Golden Barrel molasses (affiliate links) are two of my favorite kinds of molasses. Actually, King Syrup is not technically molasses, but sometimes I use it in place of molasses.
If you don't care for molasses at all, you can substitute light corn syrup (Karo) instead.
How to Make Amish Peanut Butter
- Cook the sugar syrup
- In a large saucepan, combine the brown sugar, white sugar, molasses, and water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Let it boil gently for 2 to 3 minutes until the sugars are fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
- Tip: Stir carefully and watch the pot - sugar mixtures can bubble quickly. The goal is a smooth syrup, not caramelized sugar.
- In a large saucepan, combine the brown sugar, white sugar, molasses, and water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Let it boil gently for 2 to 3 minutes until the sugars are fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
- Cool completely
- Remove the saucepan from heat and let the syrup cool completely. This is important to prevent the peanut butter and marshmallow creme from separating or melting unevenly.
- Add peanut butter and marshmallow creme
- Once cooled, add the creamy peanut butter and marshmallow creme to the syrup. Use a whisk or electric mixer to blend everything together until smooth and creamy.
- Tip: Start mixing slowly to prevent splashing. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed to get all the peanut butter incorporated.
- Once cooled, add the creamy peanut butter and marshmallow creme to the syrup. Use a whisk or electric mixer to blend everything together until smooth and creamy.
- Adjust consistency (optional)
- If the spread seems too thick, you can add a little more marshmallow creme or a splash of water to reach your preferred texture.
- Serve or store
- Transfer to an airtight container and enjoy immediately, or store in a cool place or the refrigerator for longer shelf life.
A Quicker Amish Peanut Butter Recipe (3-Ingredient Version)
While the Amish don't all use the same peanut butter spread recipe, the version shared in the recipe card below is the one I grew up with most often, made with molasses.
Over the years, I've had many readers tell me they prefer a simpler version made with just peanut butter, marshmallow creme, and corn syrup. This three-ingredient Amish peanut butter spread is faster to make and has a lighter color and milder flavor.
To make it, simply mix approximately 1 cup of peanut butter, a scant 1 cup of marshmallow cream, and about 1 ¼ cups of Karo syrup. (Some people like to substitute light corn syrup with maple syrup.)
Start with about 1 cup of syrup, then add more as needed until you reach your preferred consistency.
Both versions are delicious, and which one you choose really comes down to taste and convenience.
Does Amish Peanut Butter Need to be Refrigerated?
Homemade Amish peanut butter does not need to be refrigerated, but refrigeration will help it last longer.
If you plan to use it within a short period of time, it can be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. For longer storage, keeping it in the refrigerator is the best option.
When refrigerated, this peanut butter spread will keep for several months. No matter where you store it, always keep it sealed tightly, as exposure to air will cause it to harden and eventually spoil.
How to Enjoy This Sweet Peanut Butter Spread
- On bread or buns - Classic and simple, perfect for breakfast, snacks, or part of a church-style meal.
- If you need a recipe for dinner rolls to eat with your Amish peanut butter, my sister-in-law has a great recipe for rolls. They are soft and amazing! I love one-hour dinner rolls as well. They are quick and easy to make and equally fluffy and delicious.
- PB&J sandwiches - Since this spread is already sweet and creamy, you don't need extra jelly unless you want it.
- With fruit - Apples, bananas, or celery sticks pair beautifully for a sweet-and-creamy snack.
- With crackers or pretzels - Makes a quick and satisfying treat.
- As a topping - Spread on pancakes, waffles, or even ice cream for a decadent twist.
Tip: This spread is versatile and forgiving - get creative with your favorite snacks and desserts!
Amish Church Spread
If you've ever been to an Amish church, you know exactly what I'm talking about when I mention creamy Amish peanut butter spread. Because it usually gets served with the meal afterward.
(*Note: Every Amish church that I've visited, and I've visited many, served peanut butter spread. But I have heard that some Amish churches serve bean soup instead of the traditional Amish church meal.)
The Amish only have church every other Sunday, and it is held in someone's home or barn. The hosts serve lunch to everyone after the service, and they have a traditional meal that is shared each time.
Growing up in Lancaster County, our church meals consisted of homemade bread and buns, peanut butter spread, cheese spread or cheese slices, lunch meat, pickles, pickled beets, and dessert (either pies or cookies).
Not everyone used the same recipe for peanut butter spread, but it was always similar. We piled the peanut butter onto our buns and topped them with meat and cheese.
Sounds like a healthy meal, right? Well, no, not exactly. But it was filling and yummy. My kids think that a sandwich made with sweet peanut butter, meat, and cheese sounds disgusting, but I'm almost drooling just thinking about it. It's so good!!
I hope you enjoy this Amish Church Peanut Butter Spread. It is pretty sweet and not very healthy, but it is quite delicious! 🙂 I'd love to hear from you in the comments below. Let me know what you think of Amish peanut butter, and if you try both of these recipes, let me know which one is your favorite. Thank you!
📖 Recipe Card
Amish Church Creamy Peanut Butter Spread
Ingredients
- 2 c. brown sugar
- 1 ½ c. white sugar
- ⅔ c. molasses
- 2 c. water
- 2 ½ lb. peanut butter
- 1 ½ c. marshmallow cream
Instructions
- Mix water, sugars, and molasses in saucepan. Bring to boil.2 c. brown sugar, 1 ½ c. white sugar, ⅔ c. molasses, 2 c. water
- Boil on medium heat for about 2 - 3 minutes.
- Cool completely.
- Add peanut butter and marshmallow cream and mix well, until smooth and creamy.2 ½ lb. peanut butter, 1 ½ c. marshmallow cream
- Serve on bread or buns. Or anything else you like peanut butter with.
- Store in an airtight container in a cool place.
Kelli
Is there a way to make this shelf stable for long term storage?
Anna
I don't know what you would add to make it shelf stable? But it does last for a long time without being refrigerated. I've had some sitting here on my counter for at least a month or two already. It seperates a little bit, but I just stir it back together before using.
Anna
Love this stuff!
Audrey Brown
Do the Amish eat hamburgers ,hot dogs and spaghetti? Thank you
Anna
Yes, they do. Read this post for more info on Amish food. https://amish-heritage.org/amish-food-traditional-amish-food-recipes/
stella
Oh no, oh dear ... I was hoping for a really plain peanut butter recipe, not a recipe for a spread CONTAINING peanut butter. I'm on a really restricted diet due to diabetes and other health problems and all that sugar and marshmallows is the last thing I need! I'm glad other people seem to enjoy it but I've never been a fan of sweetened peanut butter.
I am quite surprised that so far I've read two of your "Amish" recipes expecting them to be all wholesome and making everything from scratch, and they turn out to use store-bought "junk" foods like American Cheese and marshmallow fluff (or whatever it is, I don't know, it doesn't exist here). I'm finding it a bit funny and a bit shocking. It's not the image I had of Amish. I thought oh good a recipe for making your own soft cheese ... nope. LOL.
It would help if you gave tips to your international readers on things like what type of products they should be looking for to substitute with? And weights and measures rather than "one package" (I don't think you said that but so many recipes are impossible to follow because they assume everyone has access to a box of this or that branded product). It might be hard to predict what ingredients they can't source but as a general rule of thumb I'd say anything other than plain ingredients. Like: can I use normal marshmallows for this recipe and maybe melt them or something? I don't know, it could be a big ask come to think of it.
Just a little frustrated as I was hoping for a cheese recipe and a peanut butter recipe! Ha! Might try the cheese spread if I can work out how much cheese to use.
Anna
I'm sorry that you are disappointed. Truth be told, the Amish don't eat very healthy. They eat a lot of hearty, homecooked meals. But many of them also eat a lot of sugar and carbs. You'll even find a bit of sugar in some savory dishes. It adds flavor, but it's not the best for us. I'm sorry about not giving more tips for International readers. I guess we forget that not everyone can buy everything like we do here in USA.
Anna
I am sorry that you are disappointed. Honestly, the Amish don't eat the most healthy. They eat a lot of hearty, homecooked meals. But their diets are high in carbs and sugar. You'll even find a bit of sugar in some savory dishes. It adds flavor, but it's certainly not the best for us. And I'm sorry that I don't give more tips for International readers. I tend to forget that not everyone can walk into the store and buy some of the stuff we have here in the USA.
Vickie
Do the marshmallows mix in for a creamy consistency when added after the mixture cools?
Anna
Yes, add marshmallow cream (that you buy in a jar) and peanut butter to the cooled sugar/molasses mixture. It is a creamy peanut butter spread.
Tina Walsh
It seems you have mixed feelings about.liking.your upbringing.
Is this website and blog your career?
Anna
Perhaps I have mixed feelings. There are some things about growing up Amish that I appreciate (like the strong family unit and working together, community spirit, etc.) It seems to be hard to keep that with all of our modern technology. I wanted to pass that on to my kids but not sure that I've accomplished it?
I'm doing my blog more as a side income so that I don't have to go to work as much. š
joann tallerdy
Peanut Butter Spread is there a spread for ice cream i got a jar and its not the same but it was peanut butter spread more caramel looking to me tasted peanut butter
Linda
Can't wait to try this. Would love to just ask all kinda of questions.
Anna
Shoot me some questions, I'll be happy to answer. And check out my other posts, I have quite a bit of info on my site.
Katie Lambright Shinn
Our Mother was the first Lady to add marshmello topping to the peanutbutter and syrup. It caught on right away and soon the other Ladies wanted to know how She made it.
Anna
Are you serious? She was the first Amish lady to make the peanut butter spread?
Kay
Loblied is the worst! Haha! Although I never hear that about the prisoners - makes some sense, I guess. Definitely does NOT make one want to dance!
Anna
Yes, I forgot how much I hated it, till I listened to it again. ??