Amish cookies are known for their simple ingredients, old-fashioned flavors, and soft, comforting texture. You'll find everything from classic sugar cookies and snickerdoodles to rich molasses cookies and whoopie pies. These recipes have been passed down for generations.
If you're looking for authentic Amish cookies made with pantry staples like brown sugar, oats, molasses, and butter, you're in the right place. Here, I've gathered my favorite traditional Amish cookie recipes, inspired by my own Amish upbringing.
This roundup includes 39 recipes, from classic favorites to seasonal treats and cookie bars. Growing up in an Amish community, we baked these cookies for church gatherings, holidays, and everyday treats.
Top 5 Must-Try Amish Cookies
Not sure where to start? Here are five of my favorite Amish cookie recipes. They're soft, chewy, and perfect for sharing.
Honestly, it's hard for me to pick favorites because there are so many delicious cookies to choose from, but these are the ones I find myself wanting to make again and again. So if you're baking for a crowd, these five recipes are the perfect place to begin.
- Chocolate Chip Cookies - Soft centers, crisp edges, and loaded with chocolate chips. A classic Amish-style treat.
- Outrageous Cookies - Hearty oatmeal cookies packed with peanut butter and gooey chocolate chips. Thick and chewy.
- Monster Cookies (Gluten-Free) - Peanut butter, oats, chocolate chips, and colorful candies. Fun, hearty, and naturally gluten-free.
- Oatmeal Whoopie Pies - Soft oatmeal cookies sandwiched with a sweet, creamy filling. A nostalgic Pennsylvania Dutch treat.
- Molasses Whoopie Pies - Soft, spiced molasses cookies filled with a sweet vanilla filling. Perfect for sharing with family.
Classic Amish Cookies
These classic cookies are simple, everyday favorites made with pantry staples and traditional baking methods. From soft sugar cookies to old-fashioned molasses cookies, these recipes capture the heart of Amish home baking. Tried and true recipes that have stood the test of time in Amish kitchens.
Amish Sugar Cookies
These Amish sugar cookies are soft, tender, and lightly sweet with a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth crumb. They're a traditional favorite for any occasion!
The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
These incredible Amish chocolate chip cookies are soft, chewy, and baked with crisp edges for the perfect bite. A classic homemade treat passed down through generations. They're great with a glass of milk or enjoyed anytime you want a sweet, comforting snack.
Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Cookies
These homemade Amish buttermilk cookies are soft, fluffy, and tender, made with simple pantry ingredients. A drizzle of caramel icing adds sweetness and richness, elevating this classic cookie to a treat that's hard to resist. Perfect for everyday baking, or a nostalgic homemade snack.
Amish Peanut Butter Cookies
These old-fashioned Amish peanut butter cookies (known by their crisscross pattern on top) are thick, soft, and packed with classic peanut butter flavor. Made with simple pantry ingredients, they're a common everyday treat often served with milk or tucked into lunch pails.
Reese's Peanut Butter Cookies
These Reese's Pieces peanut butter cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with rich peanut butter flavor. Colorful Reese's Pieces add a fun pop of sweetness and crunch. These cookies bake up with melt-in-your-mouth centers and lightly crisp edges. They're a crowd-pleasing treat, or perfect anytime you want a peanut butter fix.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
These Amish chocolate peanut butter chip cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter chips. The chocolate gives a deep, fudgy flavor, while the peanut butter adds a sweet-and-salty contrast in every bite. A classic combination that's perfect for anytime you want a delicious homemade treat.
Amish Molasses Cookies
These old-fashioned Amish molasses cookies are soft, chewy, and full of rich molasses flavor with a hint of warm spices. Rolled in sugar and baked until just set, they have that classic crackled top and tender texture that makes them hard to resist.
If you love chewy molasses cookies, this Amish recipe is simple, traditional, and made with basic pantry ingredients for a classic, homemade treat that never goes out of style.
Amish Gingersnap Cookies (Amish Molasses Cookies)
These old-fashioned Amish gingersnap cookies (Amish molasses cookies) are rich with deep molasses flavor and a comforting blend of warm spices. While the name suggests a crisp cookie, these are soft and chewy in the center with just a slight crispness around the edges. (In our community, they were a popular treat served at Amish church dinners.)
Amish Snickerdoodles
These Amish snickerdoodles are soft and slightly chewy with a generous coating of cinnamon sugar. The subtle tang and warm spice flavor make them a favorite for fall baking.
Amish Oatmeal Cookies (Recipes with Oats)
Oatmeal cookies are a favorite in many Amish kitchens. They're hearty, simple, and satisfying. Quick or old-fashioned oats form the base, and many recipes add raisins, chocolate chips, or peanut butter. These cookies are flavorful, filling, and perfect for everyday baking.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Amish oatmeal raisin cookies combine hearty oats with sweet, plump raisins and warm spice. Soft in the center with lightly crisp edges, they're a traditional favorite that has been served at Amish gatherings for generations.
Monster Cookies (Naturally Gluten-Free)
These Amish gluten-free monster cookies are soft, chewy oatmeal treats loaded with peanut butter and M&M's. Packed with flavor and fun, they're a favorite for kids and adults alike. A must-try hearty cookie! (my Amish dad's favorite!)
Outrageous Cookies
Amish Outrageous Cookies are soft, chewy oatmeal cookies packed with peanut butter and gooey chocolate chips - a true treat for cookie lovers. These hearty cookies combine all your favorite flavors in every bite. Popular in Amish cookbooks, they're a fun and irresistible twist on classic oatmeal cookies.
Toffee Crunch Cookies
Amish Toffee Crunch Cookies are soft and chewy in the center, with lightly crisp edges. They're full of buttery oats, rich toffee bits, and a hint of pecan. These cookies are packed with flavor and texture, making them perfect for family gatherings or everyday treats. Bake a big batch - they vanish fast and freeze beautifully for later.
Seasonal & Holiday Amish Cookies
Amish kitchens are full of special treats for holidays and seasonal celebrations. You'll find everything from soft, spiced cookies to sweet, decorative favorites, perfect for Christmas, Thanksgiving, and other festive occasions. Each recipe is made with simple ingredients and love, bringing warmth and joy to your holiday baking.
Growing up, my Amish family baked many holiday cookies and shared plates with our neighbors. We included many of these homemade treats on our holiday cookie trays.
Date and Nut Pinwheel Cookies
These Amish Date Pinwheel Cookies are soft brown-sugar cookies rolled around a sticky date-nut filling. Full of old-fashioned flavor, they're a classic PA Dutch treat for Christmas, family gatherings, or sharing with neighbors.
PA Dutch Sand Tart Cookies
These Pennsylvania Dutch Sand Tarts are thin, crisp, and delightfully addictive Christmas cookies. A traditional favorite in Lancaster County, PA! They're fun to cut out and decorate with the kids, making them perfect for holiday baking. Once you start, it's hard to stop at just one!
Chocolate Mint Snowtop Cookies
Amish Snowtop Cookies, also known as chocolate peppermint crinkles, are soft, chewy cookies covered in a snowy layer of powdered sugar. Crisp at the edges with fudgy centers and a refreshing peppermint flavor. They're a festive favorite for the holidays! Easy to make, perfect for freezing, and sure to stand out on any Christmas cookie tray.
Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
Amish Peanut Butter Blossoms are soft, tender peanut butter cookies topped with a chocolate kiss for the perfect sweet finish. The classic combination of peanut butter and chocolate makes them a favorite for Christmas baking and holiday cookie trays. Easy to make and fun to share, these cookies are always a hit with family and friends.
Old-Fashioned Raisin-Filled Cookies
These Amish raisin-filled cookies are soft, fluffy, and filled with a sweet raisin center that makes each bite special. The simple cookie dough provides a tender base, while the filling adds a delightful burst of flavor. A unique PA Dutch treat, they're perfect for holiday baking or anytime you want a comforting, old-fashioned cookie.
Mint Surprise Cookies
Mint Surprise Cookies look like simple, buttery pecan-topped cookies, but each one hides a cool, minty chocolate center inside. Every bite delivers a fun burst of chocolate-mint flavor that's always a hit on holiday cookie plates. A classic Amish Christmas treat, they're perfect for sharing with family, friends, or neighbors during the holidays. (These are favorites from my childhood.)
Iced Pumpkin Cookies
These Amish pumpkin cookies are soft, cake-like, and full of warm fall spices. Topped with a rich brown sugar frosting, they're sweet, cozy, and perfect for autumn baking. Light, fluffy, and full of rustic charm, they're the kind of cookies you'll want to make again and again.
Amish Whoopie Pies
Amish whoopie pies are soft, cake-like cookies with a creamy filling. A classic Pennsylvania Dutch treat, they're perfect for church dinners, family gatherings, or a special snack at home.
Sometimes also known as "Gobs," these cookies are a nostalgic favorite and come in lots of different flavors. Here, we've included a few of our favorites, from chocolate and pumpkin to oatmeal, molasses, and peanut butter.
Chocolate Whoopie Pies
Classic Amish chocolate whoopie pies are rich and soft with a light, creamy filling in the center. They're a beloved PA Dutch treat, perfect for holiday gatherings, or just a special homemade goodie to enjoy with a cup of coffee.
Oatmeal Whoopie Pies
These Amish oatmeal whoopie pies are soft, chewy oatmeal cookies with a sweet, creamy filling in the middle. The hearty oats give them a comforting texture, and the filling makes them extra delicious. A homemade classic that's perfect for sharing with family, friends, or neighbors.
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
Amish pumpkin whoopie pies are soft, spiced pumpkin cookies sandwiched with a lightly spiced buttercream filling. Each bite is full of cozy fall flavors that taste like autumn in every bite. These treats are great for sharing or enjoying anytime you want a little seasonal cheer.
Molasses Whoopie Pies
These Amish molasses whoopie pies are soft, chewy cookies with a sweet vanilla filling and warm, spiced molasses flavor. They have all the charm of homemade molasses cookies, but with frosting for a special treat. Perfect for sharing or enjoying anytime you want a classic, comforting cookie.
Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies
These Amish peanut butter whoopie pies are soft, chewy cookies filled with creamy peanut butter frosting. Every bite is packed with rich peanut butter flavor and classic homemade taste. Great for sharing with family and friends or enjoying anytime you want a sweet treat. (Definitely a cookie that needs to be enjoyed with milk! 🙂 )
Chocolate Chip Whoopie Pies
Amish chocolate chip whoopie pies are soft, cake-like cookies filled with creamy buttercream frosting. Each bite has the perfect balance of tender cookie and sweet filling, making them a classic homemade treat. Great for sharing or enjoying anytime you want a delicious cookie sandwich.
Amish Cookie Bar Recipes
Not all cookies need to be baked individually. Sometimes, a big, soft, chewy bar is just what you need! These Amish cookie bars turn all your favorite flavors into easy-to-cut squares. They're perfect for dessert tables, bake sales, or simple family snacks. From classic chocolate chip and oatmeal bars to brownies, these treats are chewy, flavorful, and full of homemade charm.
You'll also find homemade bar recipes that are more like soft, tender cakes. Cakier options like pumpkin, banana, and zucchini are moist, fluffy, and easy to slice. They're perfect for dessert or anytime you want a comforting homemade treat with a lighter texture.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
These Amish chewy chocolate chip bars are buttery, soft, and full of classic chocolate chip flavor. Quick to mix and bake, they're perfect when you want all the taste of cookies without the effort of making individual batches. Ideal for dessert, snacks, or anytime you need an easy homemade treat!
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars
These Amish oatmeal chocolate chip bars are soft, chewy, and packed with the classic flavors of oatmeal and chocolate. Easy to make and full of wholesome texture, they're perfect for a quick snack, dessert after dinner, or sharing with friends and family. You can also mix in nuts, dried fruit, or other add-ins to make them your own!
Oat Fudge Bars
These Oat Fudge Cookie Bars combine chewy oatmeal cookies with rich, creamy fudge for a sweet treat that's hard to resist. Soft, chewy, and full of chocolatey goodness, they're perfect for dessert, snacks, or sharing. Easy to make and packed with flavor, these bars take classic cookie flavors to the next level. (These were very popular while I was in the Amish youth group.)
White Chocolate Peanut Butter Blondies
These white chocolate peanut butter blondies are soft, chewy, and packed with creamy peanut butter and sweet white chocolate chips. The dense, tender base pairs perfectly with the chocolate, and a peanut butter drizzle on top makes them extra special. Easy to make with pantry staples, they're a crowd-pleasing treat for potlucks, after-school snacks, or anytime.
Old-Fashioned Raisin Bars
These Amish sour cream raisin bars have a buttery oatmeal crumb crust and a sweet, tangy raisin filling. Soft, chewy, and full of classic flavor, they're a comforting treat straight from Grandma's kitchen. Perfect with a cup of coffee or milk, these bars are an old-fashioned dessert that will dissapear quickly.
Easy Homemade Brownies
These Amish brownies are rich, fudgy, and full of chocolate flavor. Made with cocoa powder and chocolate chips, they're a double-chocolate treat. Moist and tender, they're easy to make from scratch with simple pantry ingredients. A perfect dessert or snack you'll make again and again.
Coffee Brownies with Mocha Frosting
These coffee brownies are thick, fudgy, and full of rich chocolate flavor enhanced by a hint of espresso. Soft and moist with a luscious coffee buttercream frosting on top, they're a perfect treat for coffee and chocolate lovers alike. Easy to bake in a pan and guaranteed to disappear fast, these brownies are a delicious homemade dessert everyone will enjoy.
Reese's Peanut Butter Bars
These Amish Reese's Peanut Butter Bars are amazing! A moist chocolate cake base is topped with a peanut butter layer and finished with smooth chocolate frosting, making them a grab-and-go treat everyone will love. Perfect for family nights, potlucks, or anytime.
Chocolate Rice Krispie Peanut Butter Bars
These Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Crunch Bars are a fun, sweet treat with a thin cake layer, gooey marshmallows, and a crispy chocolate-peanut butter topping. Soft, chewy, and crunchy all at once, they're packed with flavor. Krispy, chocolatey, and peanut buttery - these bars are always a hit!
Homemade Granola Bars
These Amish granola bars are chewy, sweet, and full of hearty oats with little pockets of chocolate chips. No-bake and easy to make, they're perfect for school, work, or on-the-go snacks. Simple, wholesome, and packed with flavor.
Banana Cream Cheese Bars
These banana cream cheese cake bars are soft, moist, and full of sweet banana flavor, topped with a rich cream cheese frosting. With a hint of vanilla and optional crunchy walnuts, each bite is a perfect mix of flavor and texture. Easy to make and great for family gatherings or everyday treats, these bars can be stored in the fridge or freezer for later enjoyment.
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bars
These Amish pumpkin bars are soft, fluffy, and full of warm fall flavors, topped with a smooth, creamy cream cheese frosting. Lightly spiced with cinnamon and other cozy autumn spices, each bite is comforting and delicious. Perfect for autumn gatherings, lunchboxes, or anytime you want a sweet seasonal treat.
Zucchini Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
These zucchini bars are soft, fluffy, and packed with subtle, fresh zucchini flavor. Topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting, they're light, cake-like, and perfect for using up summer zucchini. These bars are easy to make and full of homemade goodness.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amish Cookies
Amish cookies use simple pantry and farm ingredients. They're soft, full of old-fashioned flavor, and made from recipes passed down for generations in Amish and Pennsylvania Dutch kitchens.
Many Amish cookies use similar ingredients to traditional homemade cookies, but they often rely on classic, no-fuss recipes. Molasses cookies, whoopie pies, oatmeal, and peanut butter cookies are especially common in Amish baking.
Some of the most popular Amish cookies include sugar cookies, molasses cookies, peanut butter cookies, oatmeal cookies, and chocolate whoopie pies. These recipes are commonly served at church gatherings, family dinners, and holiday celebrations.
Yes! Many Amish cookies store well in airtight containers for several days, and most freeze beautifully. Whoopie pies and cookie bars can also be frozen for longer storage.
Traditional Amish cookie recipes focus on basic, everyday ingredients. While modern variations also include chocolate chips, candy pieces, or specialty add-ins, classic Amish baking tends to keeps things simple and homemade.
More Amish Dessert Recipes
Whether it's a holiday tray, a church gathering, or a cozy afternoon at home, these traditional Amish cookie recipes are made with simple ingredients and old-fashioned flavors. From classic sugar cookies to soft whoopie pies and hearty oatmeal treats, there's something here for every cookie lover.
Which Amish cookie recipe is your favorite? I'd love to hear what you're baking in your kitchen! Thank you!!
Molasses is a classic ingredient in Amish baking. However, there is a big difference in types of molasses. See this guide on facts about molasses. Golden Barrel brand is an Amish favorite baking molasses.
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