Amish Friendship Bread

Amish Friendship Bread

Notes:
Do NOT use any type of metal spoon or bowl for mixing (I usually use a fork or mixer for the final product without any problems)
Do NOT refrigerate (I usually cheat and freeze a starter for later use)
If air gets into the bag, let it out
It is normal for the batter to rise and ferment

Starter: If you do not receive a starter from a friend, you will need to make your own.

In a gallon size ziploc bag, dissolve 1 tablespoon active dry yeast in 1/4 cup water. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Then add 1 cup milk, 1 cup flour, and 1 cup sugar.


Now the fun begins:

Day 1: Do nothing (This is the day that you make/receive the starter)
Day 2: Mash the bag
Day 3: Mash the bag
Day 4: Mash the bag
Day 5: Mash the bag
Day 6: Add to the bag: 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup milk. Mash the bag.
Day 7: Mash the bag
Day 8: Mash the bag
Day 9: Mash the bag
Day 10: Follow the directions below:

1. Pour the entire contents of the bag into a non-metal bowl. Add 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 1/2 cups sugar, and 1 1/2 cupsmilk.

2. After stirring, measure out 4 separate batters of 1 cup each into 4 ziploc (one gallon size) bags. Keep a starter foryourself and give 3 to friends along with a copy of the recipe. The bread is very good and moist. It makes a great gift. If you are unable to give the bags away on the 1st day, make sure to date the bag so your friends will know what day they are on.

Baking Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

To the batter remaining in the bowl after you have removed 4 cups add:
3 eggs
1 cup oil
1/2 cup milk
1 cup sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups flour
1 large box of instant vanilla pudding
Optional: 1 cup of raisins or chopped nuts

Grease 2 large loaf pans.

Optional: Mix an additional 1/2 cup sugar and 1 1/2 tsp Cinnamon. Dust the greased pans with half of the mixture. Pour the batter evenly into the two pans. Sprinkle the remaining sugar mixture over the top.

Bake for one hour at 325 degrees. Cool until bread loosens evenly from the sides of the pan (~10 minutes). Turn onto aserving dish. Share with friends and loved ones.

Variation for muffins: sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture into bottom of paper liners, fill with batter, sprinkle morecinnamon sugar on top, bake at 375 for about 25 minutes

We also have omitted the cinnamon and used different flavors of pudding: Chocolate, Pistachio, etc. My kids LOVE the chocolate ones best. We also have made it with cheesecake pudding and chocolate chips.