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The Amish Cook's Baking Book
For the Amish, baking is an art form, a pleasure, and a way of life. The emotion they bring to baking is at the heart of The Amish Cook's Baking Book . Together, celebrated Amish cook Lovina Eicher and her editor, Kevin Williams, introduce a new generation to Amish baking.
This baking book is filled with 80 beautiful photographs and over 100 classic Amish recipes for sweets that have been handcrafted in Lovina Eicher's Amish kitchen. The Amish Cook's Baking Book includes the following chapters: Pies; Breads, Rolls, and Pastries; Cookies; Cakes; Bars 'n' Brownies; and Special-Occasion Baking. Home cooks get an extra treat with sidebars from Lovina's children as well as interesting insights into Amish life both inside and outside the kitchen.
"Baking is something my mother taught me, much like sewing and ironing, or gardening. Now, as a mother of eight children of my own, I am beginning to teach them how to bake. I have many cherished memories of baking throughout my life." --Lovina Eicher
This baking book is filled with 80 beautiful photographs and over 100 classic Amish recipes for sweets that have been handcrafted in Lovina Eicher's Amish kitchen. The Amish Cook's Baking Book includes the following chapters: Pies; Breads, Rolls, and Pastries; Cookies; Cakes; Bars 'n' Brownies; and Special-Occasion Baking. Home cooks get an extra treat with sidebars from Lovina's children as well as interesting insights into Amish life both inside and outside the kitchen.
"Baking is something my mother taught me, much like sewing and ironing, or gardening. Now, as a mother of eight children of my own, I am beginning to teach them how to bake. I have many cherished memories of baking throughout my life." --Lovina Eicher
224 pages, Hardcover
First published October 20, 2009
97 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 8, 2010
I had great hopes for this book. I love simple and traditional fare and this sounded like the perfect book for that type of cooking. In addition, Amish and Mennonite baking are among my favorite traditional eats.
However, as I've worked my way through different parts of this book I'm finding that some recipes are done well and others leave quite a bit to be desired.
For example, the cookie recipes seem to be spot on for the most part. All I have tried have turned out nicely. However, the pie section seems to have quite a few problems. I've tried two pies and neither of the recipes has been accurate.
In the first case the Shoo Fly Pie recipe makes enough filling for two pies and enough topping for three. There is a lot of waste with this pie. The second pie I tried was the Bob Andy Pie and found that something was amiss in the proportions because the custard would not set up. Looking over the ingredients again, I found that there seemed to be an error in the amount of butter called for in the pie. I think the pie would be wonderful but the procedure in the book just won't turn out consistent results.
So, I don't think these recipes have been thoroughly tried out in a test kitchen. It appears they are traditional recipes passed from person to person that have been put in book form. Rather than the recipe being tested by someone who is not familiar with the dish as every day food, the written recipe seems to have been adopted. Of course, everyone knows that your favorite recipes are often changed from what you have jotted down at some time and hand written recipes often include ingredient and measurement errors.
I like this book, but I would have liked it much more if these recipes had been thoroughly tested before printing and adjustments made to insure consistent results no matter the cook's familiarity with the type of cuisine.
However, as I've worked my way through different parts of this book I'm finding that some recipes are done well and others leave quite a bit to be desired.
For example, the cookie recipes seem to be spot on for the most part. All I have tried have turned out nicely. However, the pie section seems to have quite a few problems. I've tried two pies and neither of the recipes has been accurate.
In the first case the Shoo Fly Pie recipe makes enough filling for two pies and enough topping for three. There is a lot of waste with this pie. The second pie I tried was the Bob Andy Pie and found that something was amiss in the proportions because the custard would not set up. Looking over the ingredients again, I found that there seemed to be an error in the amount of butter called for in the pie. I think the pie would be wonderful but the procedure in the book just won't turn out consistent results.
So, I don't think these recipes have been thoroughly tried out in a test kitchen. It appears they are traditional recipes passed from person to person that have been put in book form. Rather than the recipe being tested by someone who is not familiar with the dish as every day food, the written recipe seems to have been adopted. Of course, everyone knows that your favorite recipes are often changed from what you have jotted down at some time and hand written recipes often include ingredient and measurement errors.
I like this book, but I would have liked it much more if these recipes had been thoroughly tested before printing and adjustments made to insure consistent results no matter the cook's familiarity with the type of cuisine.
September 14, 2022
I got this from the library because it seemed right up my alley. I don't get over to Amish bakeries enough, unless we're visiting my husband's parents, but it's my style of baking.
I was probably going to be disappointed because the author is in a community in Michigan, and their versions of things aren't the same as what I want and crave. The Shoofly Pie in particular is very different from what you would get here in Pennsylvania.
I'm glad there's a record of culture and recipes that might otherwise be forgotten, but also there's so many places where it's stated "I don't know why it's called this" etc which is reasonable in a family register, but frustrating in a published cookbook. I also didn't think there were enough pictures of finished bakes, there's a picture of a bowl of chocolate chips every few pages, and many other raw ingredients, but my brain wants finished pictures. The book is filled with what I would think of as "B roll" shots of chairs, books, hats, vaguely filled mason jars. Just show me the cookies made from this recipe.
I think I'll make a few of the recipes, but I'm a little turned off after one cookie dough brownie one that has you eating raw flour. I think that was pretty common/not irresponsible in 2009, but now we know better and I'd toast that flour if I was going to make it.
I was probably going to be disappointed because the author is in a community in Michigan, and their versions of things aren't the same as what I want and crave. The Shoofly Pie in particular is very different from what you would get here in Pennsylvania.
I'm glad there's a record of culture and recipes that might otherwise be forgotten, but also there's so many places where it's stated "I don't know why it's called this" etc which is reasonable in a family register, but frustrating in a published cookbook. I also didn't think there were enough pictures of finished bakes, there's a picture of a bowl of chocolate chips every few pages, and many other raw ingredients, but my brain wants finished pictures. The book is filled with what I would think of as "B roll" shots of chairs, books, hats, vaguely filled mason jars. Just show me the cookies made from this recipe.
I think I'll make a few of the recipes, but I'm a little turned off after one cookie dough brownie one that has you eating raw flour. I think that was pretty common/not irresponsible in 2009, but now we know better and I'd toast that flour if I was going to make it.
January 11, 2010
The other books which preceded this "The Amish Cook" and "The Amish Cook at Home" both had a start of something good. "The Amish Cook" was a clunky read and did not flow well; recipes were not always clear and almost no photos were included. "The Amish Cook at Home" improved on narrative, being the best of the three as far as informative and engaging storytelling, but still lacked photos of the recipes. This most recent volume "The Amish Cook's Baking Book" is a great third book, showing progress, careful thought and more editorial finesse. There were beautiful photos in the book, just not many showing food. And that was a major drawback.
This book has a great narrative voice and includes not only Lovina's voice, but as with the prior book, includes small vignettes written by the children which are both charming and informative. The very best improvement is the inclusion of MANY more photos of the completed recipes themselves. This makes this a near perfect cookbook as far as charm, information, beautiful photographs and overall usefulness.
My only complaint? I could actually use a few more photos. If photos are the most expensive commodity in publishing and their number must be limited I wish they would have been slightly more careful in their choices. Of course, most Amish recipes (like those for bread) may not need a photo to help the prospective cook visualize the finished result. But other recipes are much more unfamiliar to the average baker. I would have liked more photos of unfamiliar recipes (like "Tears on my Pillow" pie) rather than a photo of a loaf of home baked bread.
That small complaint aside, this is a wonderful book as it stands. I have already purchased two more to give as gifts. It is one I will keep and use often.
This book has a great narrative voice and includes not only Lovina's voice, but as with the prior book, includes small vignettes written by the children which are both charming and informative. The very best improvement is the inclusion of MANY more photos of the completed recipes themselves. This makes this a near perfect cookbook as far as charm, information, beautiful photographs and overall usefulness.
My only complaint? I could actually use a few more photos. If photos are the most expensive commodity in publishing and their number must be limited I wish they would have been slightly more careful in their choices. Of course, most Amish recipes (like those for bread) may not need a photo to help the prospective cook visualize the finished result. But other recipes are much more unfamiliar to the average baker. I would have liked more photos of unfamiliar recipes (like "Tears on my Pillow" pie) rather than a photo of a loaf of home baked bread.
That small complaint aside, this is a wonderful book as it stands. I have already purchased two more to give as gifts. It is one I will keep and use often.
December 23, 2011
Recently, I entered and won a cookbook giveaway on one of my favorite food blogs, Sugar Pies. "The Amish Cook's Baking Book" by Lovinia Eicher is the third cookbook by Eicher and her editor, Kevin Williams. Lovinia Eicher has written the nationally syndicated newspaper column "The Amish Cook", which was started by her mother, Elizabeth Coblentz, since 2002. This cookbook contains over 100 Amish baking recipes for pies, cakes, desserts, and cookies. Between recipes, the author provides commentary about cooking and Amish life in general. In addition, her children also have written short sidebars throughout the book. The recipes are clear,concise, and easy-to-follow. I haven't started baking from it yet, but I look forward to working my way through it. So, again, thank you, Sugar Pies!
January 3, 2013
Yum!! I love this cookbook!! I've made several of the recipes so far and I love it!! You HAVE to try the butterscotch pie!! I grew up around butterscotch pie as it was my dad's favorite (outside of banana pudding). I think this one even tops the wonderful pies my mom used to make. Incredible flavor. If you don't want to make your own pie crust, use regular frozen crust and you'll get two pies out of 1 recipe of filling mixture. The chocolate nut pie was--what do the kids say?--a party in my mouth! This book will be pulled out and used again and again in my kitchen!
April 15, 2014
I love this book. I have made several items with great results. The church cookies were made for my daughter's graduation party. These were delicious. I also attempted to make them chocolate but am still tweaking the recipe.
I did make one batch of biscuits that did not turn out. I should have known that 2 cups of flour to 1 cup butter milk and 1/4 cup oil would not turn out. I was right. It probably needs 4-6 cups of flour.
The pie crusts especially Pat in the Pan pie crust is quite flakey.
Great recipes.
I did make one batch of biscuits that did not turn out. I should have known that 2 cups of flour to 1 cup butter milk and 1/4 cup oil would not turn out. I was right. It probably needs 4-6 cups of flour.
The pie crusts especially Pat in the Pan pie crust is quite flakey.
Great recipes.
January 19, 2011
Since reading a novel some months back, I have found something about the Amish culture a bit fascinating, and since I LOVE to bake this book excited me. The commentary from Lovina, who is Amish, and her children was very endearing. I haven't tried any of the recipes yet but some I would love to try are: homemade bread, cherry coffeecake, honey bars, delicious pecan brownies, 10-minute cookie bars, fruit-filled oatmeal squares, delicious peanut butter swirl bars, and oatmeal bars.
August 30, 2015
Mrs Eicher turns her attention to baking in this one. With comments, hints and beautiful color photos again we are transferred to Amish land. This book is going to make you very very hungry and very eager to try some if not all he recipes in here.
April 20, 2010
It was o.k. Not too many recipes I wanted to keep, but nice insights into the Amish culture.
June 9, 2010
The book that contains No-Fail Pie Crust! Yes!
This is what got me over my fear of pie making.
This is what got me over my fear of pie making.
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July 25, 2010I tried a couple of recipes from this book. Only one didn't turn out well. I liked it so well that I'm thinking of picking it up.
August 16, 2010
Not only recipes, but interesting facts about the Amish.
August 31, 2012
Fabulous book if you are a baker!!!
September 24, 2014
Wonderful photos and recipes. This would make a really nice gift.
October 23, 2014
When my husband saw this book and looked inside he said, we have to buy this! The recipes are fantastic, down to earth, and yummy. A must buy!
April 21, 2015
wonderful cookbook of Amish Recipes!
March 17, 2016
Super delicious pie recipes.... the pat a pan crust is fool proof!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews