Amish Friendship Bread: Starter and Recipe

Amish Friendship Bread is delicious and can become a great tradition, neighbor gift, or a great excuse to show up on someone's door just to say hello! Plus, there are so many variations from the friendship bread starter, so it's perfect for everyone. Just like friendship, you have to give it a little love and attention before it can turn into something great. I'll post a few of the recipes soon, but here is the starter to get it going:

1 package Active Dry Yeast

1 cup Milk

1 cup Flour

1 cup Sugar

*note: DO NOT USE METAL BOWLS OR SPOONS AND DO NOT REFRIGERATE

Dissolve yeast in a small amount of warm water. Mix in the remaining ingredients in an ample size plastic container or gallon re-sealable bag. IT WILL GROW! This is day 1 of the starter. Mark your bag/plastic container with the date.

Day 2: Stir once (or mush the bag)

Day 3: Stir once (or mush the bag)

Day 4: Stir once (or mush the bag)

Day 5: Add 1 cup Milk, 1 cup Flour, 1 cup Sugar and stir to combine.

Day 6: Stir once (or mush the bag)

Day 7: Stir once (or mush the bag)

Day 8: Stir once (or mush the bag)

Day 9: Do nothing

Day 10: Add 1 cup Milk, 1 cup Flour, 1 cup Sugar and stir to combine. Mark 3 bags or plastic containers with the date and add the starter (about 1 cup each). Give to friends with these instructions for days 2-10 and recipe below. Keep one for yourself.

Bread Recipe: using Starter

Starter
1 cup Oil
2 cups Flour
1/2 cup Milk
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
3 Eggs
3 teaspoons Vanilla
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt
2 teaspoons Cinnamon
*3/4 cup Nuts *optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients and mix well. Pour into two well-greased and sugared loaf pans. Bake 40-50 minutes or until done. Cool 20 minutes before removing from pan.