Going Dutch: Amish Baked Goods a Treat at Market

Among the various vendors at the Caldwell Farmers' Market is the popular Laura Hostetler, fondly known by many as simply the "Amish Lady." 

Hostetler lives in Watsontown Pa., a true Amish community, and makes the three-hour commute each Friday to the market to sell baked goods that are 100 percent homemade. 

"We bake and sell a variety of different sweets," Hostetler said during the event's 10th week on Friday. "We've got everything from coffee cakes, whoopee pies and apple dumplings to cinnamon rolls, cookies, and of course, shoofly pie, an Amish specialty."

Hostetler is employed by her uncle, who owns the Amish Country Bakery back in Pennsylvania. She fell in love with baking just after finishing school and has been selling the desserts from her uncle's shop for nine years.

In addition to its store, Amish Country Bakery sells its treats at many farmers markets in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

"The secret to good baking is to try everything you make," Hostetler said, laughing. "We always make sure to taste our new recipes and to fix them until they're perfect." 

Due to her way of life, Hostetler never relies on commonly used recipes that can be found on television or online. The recipes she uses have been in her family for years.

"My aunt has lots of old cookbooks," she said, "so we'll search through them to find new things to try."

Hostetler and her family prepare for the Caldwell Farmers Market for nearly an entire day each week.

"Each Thursday before we come, we wake up at 7 and start baking right away, said Hostetler, who was joined on Friday by her younger cousin, Lucinda. "Depending on how much we have to make, we usually finish around 2:30, but sometimes long after."

Hostetler, who each week dons traditional Amish attire and creates an enormous display of baked treats, has made a significant impact on the market's business the past two years. 

"I can say, without any exaggeration, that she is one of our most popular vendors," said Doug Piazza, who, along with his wife, Amy, runs the weekly event.

According to Piazza, customers are often disappointed when Hostetler isn't at the market.

"She wasn't with us for the first two weeks of the season, and people were asking, 'what am I going to do without my whoopee pies this week?'" Piazza said. "When she's not here, she's definitely missed."

Hostetler brings an authentic flavor—one that Piazza enjoys—to the market each week.

"We're very lucky to have her since she brings in such great business," Piazza said, "and her oatmeal cookies are simply out of this world."

The Caldwell Farmers Market runs each Friday through the end of October in the Smull Avenue municipal parking lot from 2 to 7 p.m.