This Is the SECRET Ingredient Amish Families Use To Make the BEST Christmas Cookies!

Is there a secret to the Amish’s melt-in-your-mouth Christmas cookies? Find out what they add to make these holiday treats unforgettable! 🌐 #News #Lifestyle #Christmas #Food

ST. PAUL, MN – There’s nothing quite like the holiday season in Minnesota—the snow, the lights, and the sweet smell of cookies filling the air. Last year, Jack and I had the chance to visit our Amish friends in Harmony, Minnesota, just before Christmas. As soon as we stepped inside, the cozy scent of homemade cookies hit us, and we couldn’t resist asking what made them so delicious. After a bit of teasing, our friends let us in on their secret ingredient—one that has made us look at Christmas baking in a whole new way.

Baking Tradition Passed Down Through Generations

In Amish culture, recipes aren’t just instructions on paper; they’re family heirlooms. Every Amish family has its own version of holiday recipes passed down from mothers to daughters, grandmothers to grandchildren. Ingredients are chosen with care, many sourced straight from their own farms.

In a world that moves faster every day, these families still believe in baking from scratch, using only fresh, pure ingredients. This attention to quality is a big part of what makes their baked goods so memorable.

The Secret Ingredient Revealed

So, what’s the secret ingredient in these famous Amish cookies? The answer is simple yet powerful: buttermilk. Unlike regular milk, buttermilk adds a slight tangy flavor that balances the sweetness and gives the cookies an ultra-soft, tender texture. It makes each bite melt in your mouth, leaving a taste that’s both rich and subtly complex.

For years, buttermilk has been a staple in Amish kitchens, enhancing everything from bread to pastries. Adding it to Christmas cookies brings a unique softness and depth that keeps everyone coming back for seconds (or thirds!).

Why Amish Christmas Cookies Are Extra Special

The magic of Amish baking doesn’t end with buttermilk. The quality of ingredients in every cookie makes a difference. Amish families often use fresh, locally-sourced ingredients like eggs and dairy straight from their farms. Even simple items like homemade vanilla or freshly ground cinnamon elevate each batch.

Another reason Amish Christmas cookies feel special is that they’re often made as a family. Many Amish families gather in the kitchen to bake together for the holidays, with multiple generations taking part. It’s a community experience—something that’s felt in every bite of those lovingly prepared cookies.

How to Make Your Own Amish-Style Christmas Cookies

If you’d like to try making Amish-style Christmas cookies at home, here’s a simple recipe inspired by our friends in Harmony. With buttermilk as the secret ingredient, these cookies come out soft, flavorful, and perfect for the holiday season.

Amish Buttermilk Christmas Cookies Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Optional: 1/2 tsp cinnamon or nutmeg for a festive touch

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
3. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. Stir in the vanilla and buttermilk.
5. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, and spices if using.
6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
7. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden. Cool on a wire rack.

Tip: For an extra festive touch, sprinkle with a bit of powdered sugar once they’re cooled or add a dollop of frosting if you like a bit more sweetness.

A Sweet Way to Share Tradition

Baking these cookies can bring a bit of old-world charm into your holiday season, just like we felt with our Amish friends in Minnesota. And maybe, just maybe, they’ll bring a touch of the warmth and joy that makes Christmas so special.

After all, a plate of soft, sweet Amish-style cookies is the perfect way to gather your own family around the table and make memories that will last a lifetime.

RELATED TOPICS: Christmas | Food | Amish

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

We value your feedback! Did you find this article informative, inspiring, or thought-provoking? Leave a comment below and join the discussion. We appreciate your opinion and look forward to hearing from you!

SHARE This Article With Family And Friends…