Amish Country Almanac

How to make Apple Butter - Reader Request

We had a facebook friend comment on a photo we posted this fall and ask about how to make apple butter at home. Making apple butter is really a pretty simple process. Well, perhaps, that is only half true. The traditional way of "stirring" apple butter over a campfire in a kettle can take all day but if you don't have that kind of time, or a campfire, or a kettle don't worry! This recipe is the next best thing!

Here at the Amish Country Almanac we are so excited that the website has finally gone live and we want you to celebrate with us! We are going to be giving away this beautiful, antique rolling pin to one of our very lucky readers! Think it should be you? CLICK HERE for details on how to enter!

Bunker Hill, offering delicious baked goods since 1992. Bakery sells a wide variety of delightful goodies ranging from breads, cookies and pies to jams, jellies, spreads and souvenirs. Twenty Amish and Mennonite women work in the bakery and cafe. Great place to stop for a quick lunch. 330-893-2129 www.kauffmanscountrybakery.com

Der Bake Oven - Located in downtown Berlin, a local, "from scratch" bakery and cafe. Caterings and custom orders for parties and weddings available. The cafe includes, soups, salads, chicken quesadillas and burgers with fries. (330) 893-3365 www.derbakeoven.com

Broad Run Cheese House

Located in Sugarcreek, Celebrating over 70 years of cheese making, the Broad Run Cheese House was established in 1933 by a group of local dairy farmers. Through the years, Broad Run has produced some of the finest cheeses in America. Gift baskets and locally produced wines also for sale. (330) 343-4108 www.broadruncheese.com

Serving eight home brews, accompanied with a vast wine list. This is topped off with cheese and meat pairings to beers and wines. You will be able to purchase and carry-out all of the items. Millersburg Brewing Company is now members of the Ohio Craft Brewers Association. (330) 674-4728 www.millersburgbrewing.com

Sweetwater Farms

Family run farmer's market in Sugacreek, open May through Nov. Fresh fruits and vegetables which are mostly raised here on our farm. Hanging baskets, mulch, and bedding plants. Fresh, tasty product at a reasonable price. Happily provides fresh produce to local favorite, Park Street Pizza! (330) 852-4257 www.facebook.com/sweetwaterfarm

Guggisberg Cheese House

Originally called Doughty Valley Cheese, Guggisberg Cheese began in 1950. Home of the original and award winning "Baby Swiss Cheese" they currently hold the record as World Swiss Cheese Champion! Long-standing traditions of superior quality, authenticity, and a genuine concern for customer's satisfaction. (330) 893-2500 www.babyswiss.com

Berlin, The sweetest place in town! Featuring over 50 flavors of delightful fudge, made with real butter and cream. Your choice of over 40 flavors of salt-water taffy, and lines of hand-dipped and soft serve ice cream. plus old fashioned soda served in glass bottles! 330.893.0139 www.mainstreetfudge.com

Swartzentruber Quilts

Amish home-based quilt shop. In addition to viewing some beautiful handmade quilts, you'll have an opportunity to step inside a true Amish home. Everything on display is either made by the owners or other local Amish women. Cash Only. Located at 7971 TR 654

Mt. Hope Fabric Shop

Hometown quilt and fabric store located on the corner of 241 and 77 in the center of Mt. Hope. Fabric, notions, home decor, Amish coverings and hats, and some Amish clothing. Huge selection of imported Bavarian buttons. (330) 674-5292

Helping Hands Quilt Shop

Berlin’s original quilt shop, was founded in 1974. In addition to having over 3,000 bolts of fabric, we also stock a wall with notions, rulers and other quilting tools. Come in and browse over 100 locally made finished quilts. (330) 893-2233 www.helpinghandsquilts.com

Berlin, part of Schrock's Amish Farm. Locally made quilts and wall hangings fill the rafters in this old barn, along with more than 2,000 bolts of fabric. Gramma Fannies carries only quilt shop quality fabrics including such lines as Marcus Brothers, Hoffman, Aunt Graces and Thimbleberries. 330-893-3243 www.grammafanniesquiltbarn.com

Berlin, and specializing in handwoven and homespun fabrics. The main floor is filled with fabrics, wools, models, and patterns, over-dyed cross-stitch threads and glass beads. The lower level is filled with books and supplies for rubber stamping, scrap booking, and painting. (330) 893-3163 www.countrycraftcupboard.com

Charm, The areas first quilt shop began in 1965 in the Miller family kitchen as a small fabric store serving the Amish Community. Today, still family owned and operated it has has expanded to carry a large variety of fabric, notions, batting and stencils. Stocks over 8,000 bolts of calico and other fabrics. 330-893-9899 www.millersdrygoods.com

Part of Schrock's Amish Farm, stocks, western wear, hats, boots and hand crafted belts. All of the belts are bench made in local Amish leather shops. Locally made log furniture includes things like dining room tables and hutches, bedroom furniture, hall trees, porch swings, benches and chairs. (330) 893-7038 www.amishfarmvillage.com/berinleather

A part of the Do-it-Best co-op of hardware stores and lumber yards. Full-service hardware store with over 70,000 items available for overnight delivery. If they do not stock the item, one of their friendly employees will be happy to special order the item for you. (330) 674-7474 www.facebook.com/mthopehardware

Kidron, Thousands of products you thought they quit making years ago fill the shelves. You'll fall in love with our oil lamps, handmade pottery and copper cookie cutters; marvel at our wood-burning cook stoves and retro refrigerators; and reminisce with our wooden and tin toys, cast iron cookware, hand tools and water pumps. 888-438-5346 www.lehmans.com

Charm, started in 1982 by Roy Miller with the help of his three sons. What used to be a horse tack shop has become a place for everything from work shoes and clothing, to western fashions and everything in between. They still carry a variety of saddles, halters and leads. Custom orders on shoes and belts available. 330-893-0402.

Keim Lumber Company

Charm, an award winning 125,000 square foot showroom offering departments in Building Materials, Doors & Windows, Exotic Wood, Molding & Mill work, Hardware, Home Decor, Housewares, Lawn & Garden, Kitchen & Bath, Lighting & Electrical, Plumbing, Tools, and Flooring. Free delivery within 150 miles. (800) 362-6682) www.keimlumber.com

Located in Berlin, Ohio specializes in handmade soaps and natural skin care! It's a family business with over 200 years of history producing natural skin care products. They spend all their time making their products from scratch and by hand in small controlled batches. 330-674-3088 www.amishcountryessentials.com

Step back in history at this old-time general store, located on the corner of SR 39 and US 62. Soda pop in long-neck bottles, barrels of old-fashioned candy, large assortment of cookie cutters, kitchen gadgets, Berlin Flyer Wagons, pedal tractors, puzzles, cards & cookbooks. (330) 893-3492 www.facebook.com/SommersGeneralStore

Wendell August Forge

America’s oldest and largest forge, producing hand-wrought ornamental metal ware and elegant gift ware in aluminum and other metals. Today Wendell August Forge maintains the same painstaking dedication to heritage and history, to artistry and craftsmanship, to quality American made products as in 1923. 800.923.4438 www.wendellaugust.com

Year-round one-of-a kind Christmas shop where you can find traditional as well as unique Christmas home decor and holiday gifts. Located in an 80’ round building with more than 100 decorated trees. Take our Christmas shop tour and discover why we are the favorite Ohio Christmas shop! (330) 893-3604 www.tistheseasonchristmas.com

Restored 1868 Dutch bank barn featuring 25,000 square feet of gift shop boutique, handcrafted furniture reproductions, home furnishings. Originally a Christmas tree lot, now a third generation family business. Today, nearly 60 years later, it has grown into now a thriving furniture and interior design business. 330.264.1014 www.pinetreebarn.com

Opened by a young Amish man, who got his start selling vitamins in a renovated chicken house. More than 40 years later, on top of carrying top quality vitamins and supplements, Nature’s carries a full line of natural, organic food and select bulk foods. Fresh ground peanut butter and bulk honeys are local favorites. 855-893-2006 www.naturesfoodmarket.com

Primitive home accessories. Known for their impeccable primitive style, full-range product lines, dedicated customer service and friendly atmosphere. A destination for many locals. Ohioan artists have created many of our products such as the pottery, wall art, outdoor concrete statuary, and most of the furniture 330-893-2134 www.homespunwalnutcreek.com

Lamp and Light Candle Company - family owned and run by Amish sisters, this local candle company just outside Walnut Creek hand-pours and hand-scents each and every candle that they sell. With dozens of colors and scents to choose from custom orders and wholesale pricing is available. Tour buses welcome. Candle pouring and candle-carving demonstrations available. (330) 852-3234

The Coop at Dutch Valley

Features various lines of heirloom-quality handcrafted furnishings on two floors of inventive displays and imaginative room settings. Hardwood beds, kitchen islands and dining tables in the latest styles. Many smaller pieces you can take home on the spot – occasional tables, stools and coffee tables from reclaimed local lumber. 330 852 4026 www.dutchvalleycoop.com

Family owned and operated business. Jason & Mary Coblentz began Coblentz Chocolates in 1987 with three employees and forty varieties of chocolate. The present facility was completed in 2001 with new production areas and a viewing gallery where visitors can watch delicious confections being created. 330-893-2995 www.coblentzchocolates.com

Located on the east edge of Berlin, it sits on the corner of State Routes 39 and 62. Converted from an old dairy barn, the Village Gift Barn was opened in the year 2000. The Berlin Village Gift Barn offers more than 20,000 square feet of shopping space for you, your friends, and your family. 330-893-2648 www.oldeberlinvillage.com

Winesburg Antique Mall
Address: 2119 Main, Winesburg, 44690
Phone:(330) 359-2213
Hours: Mon-Sat 9:00am - 4:00pm

Route 62 Antiques

Route 62 Antiques
Address: 1000 U.S. 62, Dundee, 4462
Phone:(330) 359-799
Hours: Mon-Sat 9:00am - 4:00pm

Spies Farms Antiques

Spies Farms Antiques
Address: 2694 Ohio 39, Dover, 4462

Phone:(330) 343-835
Hours: Tues-Sat 9:00am - 4:00pm

Berlin Village Antique Mall

Berlin Village Antique Mall

Address: 4774 U.S. 62, Berlin, 44610
Phone:(330) 893-4100
Hours: Mon-Sat 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Antique Mall at Schrock's Amish Farm

Antique Mall at Schrock's Amish Farm

Address: 4359 Ohio 39, Berlin, 44654
Phone:(330) 893-3051
Hours: Mon-Sat 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Walnut Creek Antique Mall

The Walnut Creek Antique Mall
Address: 4872 McKinley Pl Dr, Walnut Creek, 44687
Phone:(330) 893-4010
Hours: Mon-Sat 9: am – 5:00 pm

Flavorful items direct from the smokehouses, dairy farms, chicken coops, orchards, and gardens of the surrounding Ohio countryside. Sample Troyer’s Genuine Trail Bologna or a chunk of creamy Swiss from Steiner or Guggisberg Cheese. Supplier for Der Dutchman and Dutch Valley Restaurants. 330 852 2631 www.dutchvalleymarket.com

The original bulk-food store, The Ashery began in an Amish basement in the late 1960's. Quality products at reasonable prices. Deli meats, cheeses, pastas, candy, baked goods, a variety of dips, cookie and soup mixes, spices, dried fruits, nuts, jams, peanut butter ground fresh daily (330) 359-5615 www.asherycountrystore.com

Locally produced meats and cheeses; jams and jellies; bottled goodness found at Amish wedding tables; an assortment of freshly made premium ice creams; bins stocked with fresh, in-season produce; delighted customers when they discover Troyer brand foods! (330) 893-3786 www.troyerscountrymarket.com

By far the largest bulk food store in the area. Stocking all you'd expect from a bulk food store, they also have their own bakery, deli and meat counter, jams and jellies, home-goods and home decor. Cooking classes available. Home of the famous Mudd Valley ice cream! (877) 852.2888 www.walnutcreekcheese.com

Andrea's Furniture- Explore three floors covering over 50,000 square feet. Providing customers with a higher level of quality and service, this philosophy continues on with the third generation of the Andreas’ family. Discover an endless array of tastefully displayed galleries, fully accessorized as they would appear in your own home. 330-852-2494 www.andreasfurniture.com

Believe it or not, Homestead Furniture began in a former chicken coop! Today, Homestead Furniture is located about a mile north of the original location in a beautiful 27,000 sq. ft. showroom with our custom furniture factory across the street. Professional interior design and custom furniture design. (866) 674-4902 www.homesteadfurnitureonline.com

Stone Barn Furnishings - featuring over two floors of Amish made hardwood furniture. Home furnishing styles of today, heirloom qualities of the past. Stone Barn Furnishings is your source for home accents, gifts, mattresses, upholstered and hardwood furniture. Delivery available throughout the continental United States. 330-674-2064 www.stonebarnfurnishings.com

Not your traditional Ohio furniture store. Local Amish tradesmen handcraft our quality, solid wood Amish furniture. You can tailor your piece to match your style and room décor. Walnut Creek is committed to placing customers first and offering uniquely designed, well-made products. 330-893-3383 | www.walnutcreekfurniture.com

The Wallhouse Hotel

Address: 2870 Cove Ln.
Phone:(800) 824-2013

Located in Walnut Creek

www.wallhousehotel.com

Walnut Street Lodging
Address: 2596 Walnut Street
Phone: (330) 231-3055
Located in Walnut Creek toward Hillcrest Orchard
www.walnutstreetlodging.com