Last night I was given a ziploc bag containing a gift that will allow me to keep on giving and all my friends to do the same. It’s called Amish Friendship Bread. Here’s how it works and here’s the recipe for the starter so that you can join in this lovely tradition.
Amish Friendship Bread that you can pass from friend to friend.
The Bread begins with a starter,which used to be an Amish secret, but is now public knowledge so that we may all share frely. Find the recipe for the Amish Friendship Bread starter at the end of this post.
When you pass the starter on to a friend, make sure they understand that they will need to follow the instructions beginning at day one then will use the Amish Friendship Bread Recipe (with the oil, eggs, vanilla, etc.) on Day 10.
Amish Friendship Bread is not only a lovely bread, its also a way to create a flow of giving and abundance by sharing countless loaves of bread baked in different kitchens that all began from the same bowl of simple ingredients. Choose a few friends and start this wonderful tradition, theyll thank you for it!
The Amish Friendship Bread recipe
Do not use any metal containers or utensils when making this bread. This is important.
Day 1 – receive the starter (the recipe for the starter is below)
Day 2 – stir
Day 3 – stir
Day 4 – stir
Day 5 – Add 1 cup each flour, sugar and milk.
Day 6 – stir
Day 7 – stir
Day 8 – stir
Day 9 – stir
Day 10 – Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Divide into 4 containers, with 1 cup each for three of your friends and 1 cup for your own loaves. Give friends the instructions for Day 1 through Day 10 and the following recipe for baking the bread. Remember to write on the bag or container the date you made the batter. e.g. 05/18/10 = day 1
After removing the 3 cups of batter, combine the remaining cup of Amish Friendship Bread starter with the following ingredients in a large bowl:
1 cup oil
3 eggs
1/2 cup of milk
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla essence
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1/2 cup of milk
1 1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
Using a wooden spoon beat by hand until well blended. You can add 1 cup raisins/dried fruit, pumpkin pie spice and 1 cup nuts (optional). Get creative here.
Grease two loaf pans with butter, sprinkle with sugar instead of flour.
Bake at 325 degrees F for 45 minutes to 1 hour (individual oven temperatures vary). Cool 10 minutes, remove from pans. Makes two loaves of Amish Friendship Bread.
Amish Friendship Bread Starter
This is the Amish Friendship Bread Starter Recipe that youll need to make the Amish Friendship Bread (above). It is very important to use plastic or wooden utensils and plastic or glass containers when making this. Do not use metal at all!
Ingredients:
1 pkg. active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (110°F)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 cup warm milk (110°F)
Directions:
1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water for about 10 minutes. Stir well.
2. In a 2 quart glass or plastic container, combine 1 cup sifted flour and 1 cup sugar. Mix thoroughly or the flour will get lumpy when you add the milk.
3. Slowly stir in warm milk and dissolved yeast mixture. Loosely cover the mixture with a lid or plastic wrap. The mixture will get bubbly. Consider this Day 1 of the cycle, or the day you receive the starter.
For the next 10 days handle starter according to the instructions above for Amish Friendship Bread
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i love this idea. i believe this is how jesus fed the masses, by sharing. anyway, i thought it would be a nice thing to give to strangers, and people in need to teach them they can be rich without money. the more we share with strangers the more they will share. pass it on=)
My mom and I were discussing Amish Friendship Bread today and I’ve been looking all over for an explanation that helps me understand exactly how it works… If you could answer some questions for me, that would be extremely helpful!
It is my understanding that Amish friendship bread is to be passed from friend to friend to friend… Is that correct? And so, you make your starter and then divide it and pass it on, or you make it and then go through all the days and then pass it? How does it continue on after that? I think I’m thinking about it too much.
Beth
Beth, you make the bread divide it and pass it on keeping one starter for yourself. On the 6th day you add to it and divide it again, making more starters. Friends do the same, and it can go on and on and on.