Name: Amish Simple Sweetness
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 cup brown sugar (light or dark) (Dark gives more molasses flavor.); 1 cup peanut butter (smooth or crunchy) (Natural peanut butter may change texture.); 1 cup oat flour (Store-bought or homemade from blended oats.)

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I grew up with recipes like this — three ingredients, zero fuss, and impossibly comforting. Amish Simple Sweetness is a rustic, chewy-bake made from brown sugar, peanut butter, and oat flour. It’s the kind of thing you make when you want a quick treat for kids’ lunches, a potluck contribution, or a no-frills dessert that satisfies a sweet tooth without a long ingredient list. If you love straightforward pantry bakes, you might also enjoy this take on apple fritter bread: Amish apple fritter bread (version 2).

Why you’ll love this dish

This recipe is special because it strips baking down to the essentials: three ingredients, one bowl, and one short bake. It’s fast, budget-friendly, and kid-approved — and the texture lands between a soft blondie and a dense cookie bar. Make it when you need last-minute dessert, an easy snack to pack for school, or a simple contribution to a casual gathering.

“Sweet, peanut-buttery, and unfussy — a pantry-saver that always disappears first at our family get-togethers.”

What makes this practical for many cooks is that oat flour keeps the crumb pleasingly tender while adding a hint of nuttiness, and brown sugar gives the bars a rich, caramel-like depth. Note: if you’re serving people with peanut allergies, see the variations below for safe swaps.

How this recipe comes together

Start by warming your oven and creaming the brown sugar with the peanut butter until smooth — that creates a uniform base and helps the sugar dissolve slightly so the bars aren’t grainy. Stir in oat flour in two or three additions to avoid overworking the mix; you want a cohesive dough-like batter that you can press into a pan. Bake just long enough for the edges to turn golden and the center to set, then cool fully so the bars slice cleanly. Total hands-on time is under 10 minutes; bake time is about 15–20 minutes.

Gather these items

1 cup brown sugar (light or dark — dark gives more molasses flavor)
1 cup peanut butter (smooth or crunchy; natural peanut butter may change texture)
1 cup oat flour (store-bought or homemade from blended oats)

Notes and substitutions:

Oat flour can be made by processing rolled oats in a blender until fine. If you need a gluten-free result, ensure your oats are certified gluten-free.
To make these nut-free, swap the peanut butter for sunflower seed butter (see Variations).
For a slightly chewier bar, use creamy peanut butter; for more texture, use crunchy.

Step-by-step instructions

Delicious Amish Simple Sweetness recipes displaying wholesome ingredients and tradition.

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) baking dish or line it with parchment for easy removal.
In a medium bowl, beat together the brown sugar and peanut butter until smooth and homogenous. A wooden spoon or spatula works fine.
Add the oat flour gradually, mixing until the mixture comes together into a thick, spreadable dough. Avoid overmixing.
Press the mixture evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula or the back of a spoon.
Bake for 15–20 minutes. Look for golden edges and a center that’s set but still slightly soft. A toothpick inserted near the center should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting out and cutting into squares. Cooling helps the bars hold their shape.

Best ways to enjoy it

These bars are lovely plain, but you can dress them up for different occasions:

Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert.
Cut into small squares for a snack platter at a bake sale or potluck.
Spread a thin layer of jam, chocolate ganache, or a simple glaze on top for extra sweetness.
Pair with a cup of strong coffee or black tea — the brown sugar and peanut butter stand up well to bold beverages.
For an autumn brunch spread, try them alongside a savory bread like this complementary recipe: Amish apple fritter bread (version 3).

Storage and reheating tips

At room temperature: Store airtight for up to 2 days. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat.
In the refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Bring to room temperature before serving for best texture.
Freezing: Wrap individual squares in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for a few hours.
Reheating: Warm a square in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5–7 minutes to refresh the softness. Always reheat until steaming hot if you’ve refrigerated or frozen them, and discard leftovers kept beyond the recommended times.

Pro chef tips

Press firmly but gently into the pan for even thickness; uneven pressing makes uneven bake times.
Use an 8×8-inch pan for the proportions listed; if you use a larger pan, the bars will bake faster and be flatter.
If your peanut butter is the natural, oil-separated type, stir thoroughly before measuring so the oil is reincorporated. Excess oil can make the mixture greasy.
For cleaner cuts, chill the pan for 30 minutes after cooling, then cut with a sharp knife warmed under hot water and wiped dry between cuts.
Need more simple Amish-style baking inspiration? Try this other easy bread recipe: Amish apple fritter bread (version 4).

Creative twists

Chocolate-peanut: Fold in 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips before pressing into the pan.
Nutty swap: Use almond butter and replace oat flour with almond flour (texture will be denser).
Seed-butter for allergy-friendly: Use sunflower seed butter; add a pinch of salt and a tablespoon of honey if desired.
Honey brown sugar: Substitute half the brown sugar with honey for a softer, chewier bite (reduce bake time slightly).
Topping ideas: Sprinkle flaky sea salt, toasted oats, or chopped roasted peanuts on top before baking for texture contrast.

Your questions answered

Q: How long does the whole recipe take from start to finish?
A: Hands-on time is about 5–10 minutes; bake time is 15–20 minutes; allow at least 30 minutes cooling before cutting. Total ~50 minutes if you include cooling.

Q: Can I use regular wheat flour instead of oat flour?
A: Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour 1:1, but expect a slightly different texture (less oat flavor, a bit firmer). If you need gluten-free, use certified gluten-free oat flour.

Q: Will natural peanut butter work here?
A: Yes, but stir natural peanut butter thoroughly before measuring. If it’s runnier, the bars may spread more and be a bit denser; you can add another tablespoon of oat flour to compensate.

Q: Are these safe for kids and lunchboxes?
A: Yes, but be mindful of peanut allergies. For school lunches where peanuts are banned, use sunflower seed butter as a swap and label accordingly.

Q: Can I double the recipe?
A: Yes — double and bake in a 9×13-inch pan. Watch the bake time; it may need a few extra minutes.

Conclusion

Amish Simple Sweetness is a tiny-ingredient powerhouse: quick to mix, forgiving to bake, and endlessly adaptable. Whether you want an uncomplicated dessert for weeknight family moments or a nostalgic treat to bring to a gathering, these bars deliver comfort with minimal fuss. For more Amish-style sides and accompaniments that complement easy sweets, check out the pepper cabbage slaw recipe at Pennsylvania Dutch Style Pepper Cabbage Slaw – Big Box Vegan, a classic cornbread that pairs well with bar cookies at Easy Amish Sour Cream Cornbread – Sweet Little Bluebird, and a creamy picnic staple in this Sweet Amish Macaroni Salad (Done My Way) Recipe – Food.com.