The Pennsylvania Dutch have a long-standing tradition of baking that brings warmth, comfort, and sweetness to any table. Desserts like shoofly pie, apple dumplings, whoopie pies, and fasnachts have been passed down through generations, each with its own story and unique taste.
From crumbly pies to soft, creamy treats, these desserts connect us to a simpler time and remain beloved, timeless classics.
At Shady Maple, we bring these iconic flavors to life, offering them at our Smorgasbord while also providing the freshest ingredients at our Farm Market for those eager to recreate these recipes at home.
Whether you’re experiencing them for the first time or have grown up enjoying these treats, our fresh, authentic versions are made just as they have been for generations. Let’s dive into some of our favorite Pennsylvania Dutch desserts that you can find right here at Shady Maple!
Iconic Pennsylvania Dutch Desserts
Shoofly Pie
Shoofly pie is perhaps the most iconic Pennsylvania Dutch dessert, known for its rich molasses filling and crumbly topping. This beloved treat originated in the 1800s when Amish settlers used molasses, a common pantry staple, to create a sweet, flavorful pie. Its name is said to come from the need to “shoo” flies away from the filling as it cooled.
This recipe comes from one of Shady Maple’s founders, reflecting the authentic essence of Pennsylvania Dutch baking. To make shoofly pie, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and shortening to form crumbs. Reserve half of the crumbs for the topping.
In a separate bowl, mix the molasses, slightly beaten egg, and ½ cup hot water. Stir in half of the crumb mixture.
Dissolve the baking soda in ¼ cup of hot water, then add it to the molasses mixture. Pour this mixture into a 9-inch unbaked pie crust.
Top with the reserved crumbs. Bake for 15 minutes at 375°F, then reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and bake for an additional 30 minutes, or until the pie is fully set and golden.
Allow the pie to cool slightly before serving, and enjoy it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup flour
- 2/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Crisco or shortening, rounded
- 1 cup molasses
- 1 egg, slightly beaten
- ½ cup hot water
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ cup hot water
- 1 (9-inch) unbaked pie crust
Apple Dumplings
Apple dumplings are a cherished Pennsylvania Dutch dessert, especially during the fall. These warm, spiced apples wrapped in flaky pastry make the perfect comfort food for chilly evenings. Often served with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, they are a staple during harvest season.
To prepare apple dumplings, start by preheating your oven to 375°F.
Roll out the pie crusts and wrap each peeled and cored apple tightly. Place the wrapped apples in a baking dish.
In a saucepan, melt the butter and stir in the sugar and cinnamon until well combined. Pour this mixture over the dumplings and add the water to the dish.
Bake for 30-40 minutes until the dumplings are golden brown and bubbly. Serve warm for the ultimate dessert experience!
Ingredients:
- 4 medium-sized apples (peeled and cored)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup butter
- 1 package refrigerated pie crusts
- 1 cup water
Mom’s Old-Fashioned Cracker Pudding
This comforting dessert is a classic in Pennsylvania Dutch kitchens. Made with simple ingredients like milk, eggs, and cracker crumbs, it offers a rich, creamy texture with a hint of vanilla and coconut. It’s a nostalgic favorite passed down through generations, offering a taste of home.
This particular recipe is also a beloved creation from one of Shady Maple’s founders, offering an authentic taste of Pennsylvania Dutch tradition.
To make cracker pudding, start by placing the milk in a heavy kettle over medium heat. In a separate bowl, beat together the egg yolks and sugar until well combined.
Add the egg mixture to the milk before it gets too hot, stirring constantly. Once the milk starts to heat up, stir in the cracker crumbs.
Add vanilla and coconut to taste, continuing to stir as the mixture comes to a boil. Once it thickens, pour the pudding into a baking pan.
Beat the egg whites until stiff and spread them over the top of the pudding. Place the pudding under the broiler and cook until the top is golden brown.
Ingredients:
- 1-quart milk
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 eggs, separated
- 1 cup cracker crumbs
- Vanilla and coconut, to taste
Experience at Shady Maple
At Shady Maple, we proudly serve many of these iconic Pennsylvania Dutch desserts at our Smorgasbord, where each bite offers a taste of tradition and nostalgia. Imagine indulging in a warm slice of shoofly pie, perfectly paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or savoring the comforting flavors of freshly baked apple dumplings drizzled with rich caramel sauce. Our whoopie pies, with their soft cake layers and creamy filling, are the perfect sweet treat to round off your meal.
But the experience doesn’t end there! Our Farm Market is a treasure trove of fresh, local ingredients, allowing you to recreate these delicious desserts at home. Whether you’re looking for ripe apples, rich molasses, or the finest baking supplies, we have everything you need to bring the essence of Pennsylvania Dutch baking into your kitchen.
Join us for a culinary adventure where tradition meets flavor and take home a piece of our heritage to share with your family and friends. At Shady Maple, every visit is a celebration of community, comfort, and incredible desserts that will leave you craving more!
We invite you to visit Shady Maple to taste our authentic versions of these beloved desserts, all made from the best ingredients and time-honored techniques. Whether you’re stopping by for a shoofly pie, apple dumpling, or a whoopie pie, or looking to discover a new, decadent delight, you’ll find something to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Join us at Shady Maple Farm Market and take home a piece of Pennsylvania Dutch heritage!
