This is more than a recipe – it’s a way of thinking; a touchstone from the past in the hurly burly world. Ten days to sit warm and rising on a cozy kitchen counter. To watch and think of and remember loving moments of friendships past to friendships future.
Amish Friendship Bread is a genuine starter bread. When you’ve made your bread, you can give it your friends a sample and the starter that made it! Then your friends can make their own and pass it along to their friends. This is why the bread is called “friendship bread”. It makes a great homemade present for holidays. I’ve had this recipe for years when I received a starter from a friend.
I like to add pecans. Other variations I’ve seen are adding carrots and raisins , or bananas.
Do not use a metal spoon or bowl for mixing.
Amish Friendship Bread Starter Ingredients
- 1 (.25 ounce) package actve dry yeast
- ¼ cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
- 3 cups white sugar, divided
- 3 cups milk
Directions:
1. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Remember to avoid using metal containers and utensils. Let stand 10 minutes. In a 2 quart container glass, plastic or ceramic container, combine 1 cup flour and 1 cup sugar. Mix thoroughly or flour will lump when milk is added. Slowly stir in 1 cup milk and dissolved yeast mixture. Cover loosely and let stand at room temperature until bubbly. Consider this day 1 of the 10 day cycle.
2. On days 2 through 4; stir starter with a spoon. Day 5; stir in 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Days 6 through 9; stir only. 3. Day 10; stir in 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Remove 1 or 2 cups to make your first bread, give three cups to friends along with the recipe. Store the remaining starter in a container in the refrigerator, or begin the 10 day process over again (starting with step 2).
You can also freeze this starter in 1 cup measures for later use. Frozen starter will take at least 3 hours at room temperature to thaw before using.
Amish Friendship Bread Directions
Day1 This day you receive the batter. Do nothing.
Day 2 Mush Bag
Day 3 Mush Bag
Day 4 Mush Bag
Day 5 Mush Bag
Day 6 Add one cup Flour, one cup Sugar, one cup Milk
Day 7 Mush Bag Day
8 Mush Bag
Day 9 Mush Bag
Day 10 Mix in large bowl with one cup flour, one cup sugar, and one cup milk. Stir and pour 4 one-cup starters in large zip-loc bags. Keep one starter for yourself and give three other to friends with these instructions.
Ingredients
To remaining batter in bowl add and mix well 1 Cup Oil, 1 Cup Sugar, 2 Teaspoons Cinnamon, 1½ Teaspoon Baking Powder, 3 Eggs ,1 large package instant Vanilla Pudding, ½ Cup Milk, ½ Teaspoon Baking Soda, 2 Cups Flour, 1 Teaspoon Vanilla, ½ Teaspoon Salt
Directions
Pour into 2 large greased and sugared (mix a little cinnamon and sugar) loaf pans. You can sprinkle the cinnamon/sugar mix all inside the pan and save a little for the top. Bake at 350° for 50-60 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes and then remove bread from pans. Makes two loaves. Enjoy!
The Author:
Shaving Mug, Fogless Shaving Mirrors, Exfoliating Back Scrubber.