The tinsmiths in communal Amana would get creative at the holidays or at the request of his children when he made cookie cutters. One such popular cutter was the running rabbit cutter. It was 8” long or shorter and very prized in one’s collection. At Easter, bunny-shaped sugar cookies were a German holiday tradition in Amana, prized as much as Christmas and Thanksgiving traditions. Every child received at least one 8 inch long cookie courtesy of the kitchen workers, the tinsmiths, and the Easter Bunny! Colored eggs and other cookie shapes as fish, chicks, ducks, ponies, and squirrels also filled the basket. Cookies had a raisin eye or of one chocolate chip, with a brown sugar dough, and vanilla icing...all very tasty! This is a great German tradition passed down in many Amana families which is still shared today, while some wonder which village started the original recipe!
Below is a recipe from the vintage AMANA RECIPES cookbook.
OSTER HASEN (Easter Bunny cookies)
1 1/8 cups brown sugar, firmly packed
1 1/8 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
4 cups sifted flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking powder
2-3 Tblsp melted butter or shortening
Beat eggs, add sugars and beat with electric mixer at high speed for five minutes. Gradually add dry ingredients which have been sifted together. ADD melted shortening and roll out on floured board to about 3/8 inch thickness. Cut with
bunny shaped cookie cutter, add raisin or chocolate chip for eye and bake greased cookie sheet at 350° for 15-20 minutes.
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