amish friendship bread starter recipe

The Best amish friendship bread starter recipe

I’m so excited to share this Amish Friendship Bread Starter recipe with you all. I’ve been making this recipe for years, and it’s always a hit with my family and friends.

The story behind this bread is fascinating – it’s said to have originated in the 1960s with an Amish community in Pennsylvania, where it was passed from friend to friend as a symbol of friendship and love. The bread itself is a masterpiece of simplicity, with a tender crumb and a rich, slightly sweet flavor that’s just irresistible.

As for me, I love making this bread because it’s so easy to customize – you can add nuts, seeds, or dried fruits to give it your own unique twist. Plus, it’s just so comforting to have a warm loaf of bread fresh from the oven on a chilly day.

My kids adore helping me mix the dough and watching the loaves rise in the oven – it’s a fun family activity that we all look forward to. And let’s not forget the health benefits of this bread – it’s made with wholesome ingredients like flour, sugar, yeast, and milk, making it a great option for families who want to eat well without sacrificing flavor.

Whether you’re looking for a special occasion treat or just a delicious addition to your daily meals, this Amish Friendship Bread Starter recipe is sure to become a favorite in your household.

Amish Friendship Bread Starter

Amish Friendship Bread Starter

4.9 from 922 votes

A fermented yeast starter used to create sweet, cake-like Amish Friendship Bread. This simple mixture of flour, sugar, milk, and yeast requires daily feeding for 10 days before it is ready to bake.

Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Resting Time0 mins
Total Time10 days
Servings: 1 starter (about 4 cups)Cuisine: InternationalCalories: 0 kcal

🥘Ingredients

Day 1 Starter

1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (110°F)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 cup whole milk

Days 2-10 Feedings

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 cup whole milk

👨‍🍳Directions

1Day 1: Dissolve 1 package of active dry yeast in 1/4 cup of warm water at 110°F.
2Let it sit for 10 minutes until it becomes frothy and bubbly.
3In a large non-metal bowl, whisk together 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 cup of milk until smooth, then stir in the yeast mixture until fully combined.
4Day 2: Stir the starter with a wooden spoon.
5It may look separated or have liquid on top, which is normal.
6Cover loosely with a towel or plastic wrap and leave at room temperature.
7Day 3: Stir in 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 cup of milk.
8Mix well until no lumps remain.
9The starter should have a thick, batter-like consistency.
10Cover and leave at room temperature.
11Day 4: Stir the starter again.
12You may notice small bubbles and a yeasty, sour aroma, which indicates fermentation.
13Cover and leave at room temperature.
14Day 5: Stir in 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 cup of milk.
Mix thoroughly.
15The starter will be active and bubbly.
16Cover and leave at room temperature.
17Day 6: Stir the starter.
18It should smell pleasantly sour and yeasty.
19Cover and leave at room temperature.
20Day 7: Stir in 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 cup of milk.
Mix well.
21The starter will be very bubbly and may have doubled in volume.
22Cover and leave at room temperature.
23Day 8: Stir the starter.
24It should be thick and active with many bubbles.
25Cover and leave at room temperature.
26Day 9: Stir in 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 cup of milk.
Mix well.
27The starter is now ready to use or share.
28It should have a strong, pleasant yeasty smell and a bubbly, pourable consistency.
29Day 10: The starter is fully mature.
30Use it immediately to bake Amish Friendship Bread, or divide it into 1-cup portions to give to friends.
31Store any remaining starter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

🔧Equipment

Large glass or plastic bowl (not metal)
Whisk
Measuring cups
Clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap
Wooden spoon
Airtight container (for storing starter)

📊Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🔥Calories: 0 kcal🧈Total Fat: 0g💛Saturated Fat: 0g❤️Cholesterol: 0mg🧂Sodium: 10mg🌾Total Carbs: 0g🥦Dietary Fiber: 0g🍬Sugars: 0g🥩Protein: 0g

📝Notes

Do not use metal bowls or utensils, as the starter can react with metal. If the starter turns pink or orange, discard it and start over. Always feed at the same time each day for best results.

Watch Video Of How Amish Friendship Bread Starter Works

This Amish Friendship Bread Starter recipe has become a staple in our household – whether we’re serving it on its own or using it as an ingredient in other recipes like cinnamon rolls or coffee cake.

One tip I’d like to share is that if you’re planning ahead for special occasions or holidays, consider making multiple batches of starter dough at once and freezing them for future use.

This way, you’ll always have plenty on hand whenever you need it.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Amish Friendship Bread Starter

Q: What is Amish Friendship Bread?

Amish Friendship Bread is a type of sweet bread that originated in the 1960s among the Amish community in Pennsylvania.

Q: What makes this bread so special?

The unique characteristic of Amish Friendship Bread is that it’s made by adding a small amount of starter dough to each new batch of dough, creating a cycle of giving and receiving that spreads friendship and love throughout the community.

Q: Can I make this bread without the starter?

No, the starter is an essential component of this bread – without it, you won’t get the same rich flavor and tender crumb.

Q: How long does it take to make this bread?

The entire process from mixing the dough to baking the loaves takes around 24 hours, but don’t worry – most of that time is spent letting the dough rise!

Q: Can I freeze this bread?

Yes, you can freeze individual loaves or the entire batch for up to 2 months – just thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to serve.

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