My Amish friend brought these guys to a recent potlu

Instructions for Making Amish Friendship Bread

Step 1: Prepare the Starter (Day 1)

1. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk. Stir well to dissolve the sugar. This marks Day 1 of the starter.
2. Let it Sit: Cover loosely with a cloth or plastic wrap and leave at room temperature. Stir once daily.

Days 2-5: Stir Daily

1. Stir Once Per Day: Gently stir the starter each day without adding any ingredients.

Day 6: Feed the Starter

1. Add Ingredients: Stir in an additional 1 cup each of flour, sugar, and milk. Mix well.

Days 7-9: Stir Daily Again

Day 10: Feed, Divide, and Bake

1. Feed the Starter: Add another 1 cup each of flour, sugar, and milk. Stir well.
2. Divide the Starter: Divide the starter into four 1-cup portions. Keep one cup for yourself to bake with, and give the other three to friends along with instructions.
3. Preheat Oven to 325°F (165°C).

Step 2: Make the Bread

1. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together 1 cup of the starter, oil, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients Separately: In another bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and pudding mix (if using).
3. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. If desired, fold in nuts or chocolate chips.
4. Prepare the Pans: Grease two 9×5-inch loaf pans and dust with a mixture of sugar and cinnamon.
5. Divide Batter: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans.
6. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Cool: Let the bread cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Tips for Success

• Starter Storage: If you’re not ready to bake with the starter right away, you can refrigerate it for up to a week or freeze it for later use.
• Keep It Sweet: Dusting the pans with sugar and cinnamon gives the crust a delightful sweetness and added texture.
• Experiment with Add-ins: Try adding dried fruits, nuts, or even cocoa powder to customize your bread.

Variations to Try

1. Chocolate Amish Friendship Bread: Add 1/2 cup cocoa powder and 1/2 cup chocolate chips for a rich, chocolatey twist.
2. Lemon Blueberry Amish Friendship Bread: Mix in the zest of one lemon and 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries.
3. Cranberry Orange Amish Friendship Bread: Add dried cranberries and the zest of an orange for a festive flavor.

Conclusion

Amish Friendship Bread is more than just a recipe; it’s a tradition that brings people together. Sharing the starter with friends and family not only spreads the joy of baking but also creates lasting memories. The next time you’re looking for a unique dish to bring to a potluck, give this classic bread a try—it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser, just like it was at my recent gathering.