AMISH FRIENDSHIP BREAD
Note: Do not use any type of metal spoon or bowl for mixing. Do not refrigerate. If air gets in the bag, let it out. It is normal for the batter to rise, bubble and ferment.
The datelines below can be used to help you keep track of the date or day you are at. If you keep the starter for yourself, you will be baking every 10 days. The bread is very good and makes a great gift. Only the Amish know how to create a starter.
Date: Day 1 – Do nothing. This is the day you received the batter.
Day 2 – Mush the bag.
Day 3 – Mush the bag.
Day 4 – Mush the bag.
Day 5 – Mush the bag.
Day 6 – Add to the bag: 1 cup flour; 1 cup sugar, 1 cup milk, & mush the bag.
Day 7 – Mush the bag.
Day 8 – Mush the bag.
Day 9 – Mush the bag.
Day 10 – Mush the bag, and follow the directions below.
Pour contents of bag into a bowl, add 1 ½ cups flour, 1 ½ cups sugar, and 1 ½ cups of milk. Then measure out 4 separate batters of 1 cup each and put into gallon zip lock bags. Keep one for yourself and give the other 3 to friends along with a copy of this recipe.
Preheat over to 350 degrees.
To the remaining batter in the bowl (approx 1 ½ to 2 cups) add:
3 eggs
1 cup oil
½ cup milk
1 cup sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. vanilla
1 ½ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
2 cups flour
1 large instant vanilla or chocolate pudding mix.
Optional: 1 cup chopped nuts, raisins or chocolate chips
Grease 2 large loaf pans. Mix ½ cup sugar, and 1 ½ tsp. cinnamon. Dust the greased pans with half of the mixture. Pour the batter evenly into the pans and sprinkle with the remaining sugar mixture over the batter. Bake 45 minutes to 1 hour. Cool until bread loosens from the pan and turn onto serving dish. Serve warm or cold. You can also make muffins, using same temperature, but bake for only 30 minutes (makes 2 doz.) or mini-muffins for 15 minutes.
Should the recipe not be passed onto a friend on the 10th day, be sure to tell the recipient which dy the bag is on when presented to them.