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It’s one of the most delicious quick breads that you will ever taste, and you’ve just GOT to share it with friends! This easy Amish Friendship Bread is laced with notes of cinnamon and sugar for a sweet breakfast, snack or dessert that pairs perfectly with a warm cup of coffee.
Have you guys heard about Amish Friendship Bread before? I recently tried it for the first time when my friend Jackie brought me some of her bread (along with a bag of the starter), and I was hooked. I just had to share this with all of you! After all, you’re my friends, right?!
Before we get into the details of exactly what Amish Friendship Bread is, let me just say that this is one of the best quick breads that I’ve ever made! It’s so moist, so rich in flavor, and so warmly spiced for the season. Thanks to a cinnamon-sugar topping, you get a great sweet crust on the top and a fluffy, tender inside. You’re seriously going to love it!
This Amish Friendship Bread is so good, in fact, that it earned a spot in the breadbasket on our Thanksgiving table. My kids were definitely happy about that!
What is Amish Friendship Bread?
This cinnamon-flavored bread has the consistency of a pound cake or coffee cake, and is dusted with a cinnamon-sugar topping. It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, snack, dessert, or even a side dish with a special dinner.
What is the story behind Amish Friendship Bread?
So here’s the deal with Amish Friendship Bread: each batch begins with a starter (made with flour, yeast, sugar, and milk). You’re supposed to share the starter with 3 friends every time you prepare a batch of the bread. Those friends then make their own bread, and share the starter with 3 more friends. You get the idea — it’s basically like the bread version of an old-school chain letter! The recipe (and starter) is passed along like a chain from one friend to the next.
But don’t worry! You don’t have to wait for a friend to give you a batch of her starter in order to be able to prepare this Amish Friendship Bread!
My friend Jackie gave me my first batch of starter and the bread recipe to go with it, but I have also included the instructions for making your own starter here. Now you can get the chain going!
Is Amish Friendship Bread the same as sourdough?
No, the starter used for Amish Friendship Bread includes milk and sugar, so it’s much sweeter than a traditional sourdough starter.
Amish Friendship Bread without Starter
Don’t want to mess with a large batch of starter? You can enjoy this version of Amish Friendship Bread that’s made without starter.
Printable Amish Friendship Bread Instructions and Recipe
I have included the recipe and instructions in this printable PDF so that you can share it with all of your friends!
Here’s a quick look at the process for making the Amish Friendship Bread, which is incredibly EASY! Yes, it takes 10 days, but you don’t have to do much other than squish your bag around and wait during that 10-day period.
How to Make Amish Friendship Bread
It’s a fun activity for the kids to get involved with, and it’s a great way to share some love and baked goods with friends this holiday season!
Don’t forget that you can print out a full set of instructions with the recipe HERE.
Tips for the Best Amish Friendship Bread Recipe
- Do NOT use any metal spoons or bowls when mixing.
- Do NOT refrigerate the starter.
- If air gets into the bag, let it out.
- It’s normal for the starter to rise, bubble and ferment.
Amish Friendship Bread Instructions and Baking Schedule:
- Day 1: Do nothing. This is the date that you receive the bag of starter (or the date that you make your own batch of starter). Squish and mush the bag.
- Day 2: Squish and mush the bag.
- Day 3: Squish and mush the bag.
- Day 4: Squish and mush the bag.
- Day 5: Squish and mush the bag.
- Day 6: Add to the bag – 1 CUP OF FLOUR, 1 CUP OF SUGAR, and 1 CUP OF MILK. Squish and mush the bag.
- Day 7: Squish and mush the bag.
- Day 8: Squish and mush the bag.
- Day 9: Squish and mush the bag.
- Day 10: BAKING DAY! Mix and divide the starter as follows:
Mixing and Dividing the Starter on Day 10:
Pour the entire contents of the starter bag into a non-metal bowl and add:
- 1 ½ cups of flour
- 1 ½ cups of sugar
- 1 ½ cups of milk
Measure out 4 separate batches of the starter batter (1 cup each) and place into large gallon-size Ziploc bags. Keep one bag of starter for yourself and give the other 3 to friends, along with a copy of these instructions. The batter that remains in the large bowl will be used for baking your Amish Friendship Bread, as instructed below:
Cinnamon Sugar Amish Friendship Bread
Ingredients
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup canola oil
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups flour
- 1 large (5 ounce) box vanilla instant pudding mix (just the dry mix)
- For the Topping: 1/4 cup of sugar + 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
TO PREPARE THE AMISH FRIENDSHIP BREAD ON DAY 10:
- Preheat oven to 325F/160C. Spray two large loaf pans with cooking spray and set aside.
- After adding the additional flour, sugar, and milk to the starter and dividing the starter into separate bags (as instructed above), you should have some starter batter still left in your large bowl.
- Add all of the remaining ingredients to the starter batter in the large bowl (eggs through pudding mix).
- Divide the batter evenly among the two prepared loaf pans.
- In a small bowl, combine ¼ cup sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Sprinkle the top of each loaf with the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Bake in the 325F/160C oven for about 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack and then remove bread from pans.
- If you keep a starter bag for yourself, you can repeat the baking process every 10 days.
Thank you so much for posting this today. The instructions are crystal clear and I can’t wait to make my starter tonight.
You’re welcome, Teresa! I can’t wait to hear how you like it! 🙂
What kind of milk can i use?is the vanilla pudding mix necessary?can i replace it?thanks
Hi, Maybel! I haven’t tested the recipe without the pudding mix, and I wouldn’t recommend doing so. Pudding mix adds vanilla flavor and sweetness to the bread, but it also gives the bread a more moist, dense texture. As far as the milk goes, I prefer either 2% or whole milk…but skim or a milk-alternative would probably work okay, too. Hope you enjoy!
Maybe you could answer a question… I missed day six adding the flower milk and sugar can I do it on day seven? Thank you!
Hi, Donna! I think that would be fine! 🙂 Just add an extra day to your process.
I’ve never heard of this. It sounds like so much fun and delicious!
Oh my goodness…it’s SO GOOD, Megan! 🙂
I have a sourdough starter, but this one is different in that you keep it from air and add milk. Maybe I’ll have to start a new one and see how it compares. Never heard of adding pudding mix to bread either, I bet it tastes fantastic!
Yes, this is definitely different than a sourdough starter. I hope that you get to try it! 🙂
Can I bake all of the starter at one time? Would I multiply the ingredients by 3 if I keep a cup for later?
Hi, Amy! Yes, you can definitely do that, but you would need to multiply the ingredients by 4 since you’re using 4 bags of starter instead of 1. For instance, instead of 3 eggs, you would need 12 eggs. Instead of 1 cup of canola oil, you would need 4 cups…etc. Enjoy!
This bread is delicious! I gave these baking instructions a 5 star rating. I used 2 others before I tried this one. Turned out moister then the last 2 I used. The pudding and milk I believe is the best method compared to others, that didn’t require one or the other. I also used a lactose free milk which didn’t seem to make a difference. I will now try your starter, along with your baking instructions. Very pleased! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Robin! I’m so glad that you enjoyed it! 🙂
Does this starter need to be in a ziploc to keep air out, or can it stay in a plastic wrap covered bowl while it “ferments”?
I think it should be fine in a covered bowl. 🙂
This looks SO good- I’ve always loved Amish friendship bread, and I’m so glad I’ve finally found a recipe that looks and sounds like it will live up to my memories!
Oh, Karly — you’ll LOVE this!!! 🙂
I have a question! If I mix up the ingredients directly under the ingredients section, do I bake right away like a normal bread or do I have to do the “squish the bag” thing for 10 days and then bake?
Hi, Kiley! Whether you receive the starter from a friend or make your own starter, you will always start the recipe on Day 1. That means that you do the squishy-bag thing for the first 9 days, and then bake the bread (with the rest of the ingredients) on Day 10. Does that make more sense? Just let me know if you have any other questions or if you need more clarification! 🙂
Hello! I want to make a bunch of loaves of this to give to everyone in my family for christmas. If I keep the 3 extra bags of starter instead of giving it to friends, could I make 4 batches in one day, or do I have to make one batch on day 10, let the 3 extra bags sit for 10 more days, and then make them?
Hey, Natalie! See Step #7 in the recipe instructions — you’ll need to wait 10 days. 🙂 If you want to have enough time, just get started well in advance and freeze as many of the baked loaves as you need to. Wrapped tightly, the baked bread will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Enjoy!
Natalie, On day ten, you can absolutely make 4 batches in one day… but you might want to do three batches, and save one portion to make some more ten days later IIt’s also something to do when no one else wants starters any more! It does freeze well. I sometimes make a bundt for a gathering, or smaller loaves for gifting… or to keep us from eating it as quickly. One batch to four btaches. It’s your choice!
how much of the starter batter do you need to make the first 2 loaves. I\the recipe says use what’s left. with Covid I do not want to give away 3-4 starter kits. I would like to bake some loaves though, maybe freeze some for later. How much of my bag of starter do I add intead of “what’s left)
hope that is clear?
thank you so much. I just bought everything to make 2-3 batches
I have not done the last step of adding 1 1/2 cups of Sugar,flour and milk yet. I do have a nice bag of starter though
Hi, Betti! I’v never measured exactly, but it’s my understanding that you need 1 cup of starter for 2 loaves. So put 1 cup of the starter in a bowl, add the remaining ingredients in the recipe card, and bake in two loaf pans as instructed. Hope that helps!
I’m just finishing up with my starter and looking for recipes that use a AFB starter. I think I have made it so many times, I just want to be adventurous.
Awesome! Let me know if you discover any new favorites!
I bake it without the starter packs.
You bake loaves with the starter ingredients? That’s what I’d like to do whereas I need it on this Thursday.
Yes, I bake without the starter. You mix the ingredients like usual just without the starter. It’s just as delicious.
Ingredients
3 eggs
1 cup canola oil
1 cup sugar
1 cup milk
2 teaspoons cinnamon
½ teaspoon vanilla
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups flour
1 large (5 ounce) box vanilla instant pudding mix (just the dry mix)
For the Topping: 1/4 cup of sugar + 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Thank you so much for taking the time to share this, Theresa! 🙂
Does it make 2 loafs still? thanks for sharing this.
My 27 yr. old insisted I find the recipe for AFB (it’s been around our family a long time…and earned it’s own nickname.) I managed to dig out the tattered sheet of paper and get the starter going for baking prior to the holiday. My recipe is identical, and I thank you for posting this, because that sheet of paper isn’t gonna last much longer, so now it’s pinned!! One variation…half my family love the cinnamon spice, but the rest insist on chocolate. If interested, you can substitute chocolate pudding and cocoa, and throw in a cup of chocolate chips. Better than chocolate cake!!
Oh, wow! I’ve never heard of the chocolate version, Annette! Thanks for letting me know! That sounds delicious. 🙂
my family love it with a cup of egg nog substituted for the cup of milk
I can’t wait to try this! Thank you!
Great! Thanks, Saam!
I also make the chocolate version of amish bread! Everyone begs me to make it more than I do!!
That sounds like HEAVEN! 🙂 Can’t go wrong with chocolate!
How much Cocoa
Can you freeze the starter?
Hi, Becky! Yes! I believe that other readers have successfully frozen the starter. Enjoy!
I have! I froze some starter about a year ago. Thawed it in December and it still tasted great – just know that it may not produce as much gas as the non frozen kind. I only had to “burp” my thawed starter once or twice. But it still tasted delicious!
This recipe would definitely win some friends! ???? I’m going to have to make a gluten free version!
YESSSS! 🙂
Did you ever make this gf? I would love to know how and what the results were!
Please and thank you!!
Hi, Teri! No, unfortunately I don’t have any experience with gluten-free baking. Sorry that I’m not more helpful in that regard! 🙂
I was “gifted” starter from a lady at church…I dislike any food I have to attend to in order to make a loaf or two of anything (Hubs does sourdough & other foods but he’s retired & I’m working full time). I thought about chucking it but thought “what the hey” so it’s ready today or tomorrow, depending on if I count from when it was supposed to have the sugar & flour added or when it actually did get added. I was only a day off which is better than usual. The lady had provided samples & it is tasty! I only babysit grandkids not food so am dumping the started afterwards, & not passing it along unless my DIL is up for it.
Glad to know I can just make it without starter! That’s more up my alley.
Do you refrigerate your starter after the squish and mash each day?
No, do not refrigerate the starter. 🙂
How long can I keep starters in the freezer? Thanks
I don’t know, Lisa. I haven’t ever tried freezing the starter myself. In general, you can keep food in the freezer without an issue (if it’s tightly wrapped to keep air out) for about 3-6 months. 🙂
I have frozen it but always used ot within 3 months
I’ve never heard of Amish friendship bread before but it sounds delicious especially this cinnamon version. Looking forward to trying it!
Oh, it’s SO GOOD, Emily! Thank you! 🙂
Hi. Received some starter from a friend. Can I skip eggs and use a substitute?
Hi! I’ve never tried the recipe without eggs, so I can’t guarantee the final result. 🙂 That said, you can try a “flax egg,” which is often used in vegan recipes. You can find a flax egg recipe here: https://minimalistbaker.com/how-to-make-a-flax-egg/
Another alternative would be applesauce. I would use a total of 3/4 cup applesauce to replace the 3 eggs. Hope that helps!
I use egg whites as I am allergic to yolks – and it comes out fine
Thanks, Saam! That’s helpful to know. 🙂
At the end of the 10-day counter sitting and after the final feeding I freeze my starter in four individual one cup freezer bags. just won a blue ribbon for quick bread at our state fair using a bag of frozen starter which I let warm up to room temperature and bubble a bit for a day. This recipe is awesome.
That’s awesome, Gloria! Congrats on the blue ribbon! 🙂
After defrosting for one day do you then do the 6 day add ing. And then 10 day add and cook or do you just add the 10 day ingredients and bake next day after removing from freezer. Thank You!!!!
Hi, Debby! I think she’s saying the she froze the starter on Day 10, so you would want to thaw on the counter and then pick up with Day 1, where you would give it to a friend. The dough is pretty flexible, though, so if you just let it sit for a day, and then prepared it for baking as instructed for day 10, it would probably still be fine. Hope that helps! 🙂
Yes, On day 10 I add the flour, milk, and sugar. Then put into 4 individual freezer bags and freeze. When I want to make a bread I take one out and let it defrost on the counter. The next day I use it to bake just like you would on day 10 . When I am down to one or 2 frozen bags, I take one out, defrost it, and begin the 10 day regimen again.. I am using frozen starter from July, 2019 right now to make a new batch of starter. It is bubbling like crazy!!!
Perfect! Thanks for clarifying, Gloria!
How long can I leave the yeast starter out before I need to throw it out and make a new batch?
Hi, Ayesha! When properly fed, a starter can live on indefinitely. You can also freeze it. I’m not a “starter” or yeast expert, though, so I poked around and found this site, which might be helpful for you: https://www.friendshipbreadkitchen.com/faqs/
I have quite a lot of starter and wonder if you could tell me the amount of starter to use in this bread? Is it one cup, one and a half cup, or maybe 2 cups. I have given away so much, can’t find more people to give to, so on 10th day I to make several things, cookies, cinnamon rolls, bread, etc. Thanks in advance for your help.
Hey, Linda! I’m so sorry, but I honestly have no idea. I never measured the amount of starter before preparing the bread. Sorry I can’t be more helpful in that regard!
I use one cup-ish and it comes out perfectly.
Blair, you call this a quick cake? 10 days? 😀
A question: can I use coconut or almond milk?
Thanks
Hah! I know, it’s hard to wait! 🙂 Yes, you can use a non-dairy milk of your choice.
Can anyone help me convert this to use in my pampered chef mini-loaf stone? Thanks
it might just be a southern thing but i also substitue oil with mincemeat, which is our family’s favorite.
I like that idea, Marty!
Myself and a friend both made this and we were both very disappointed in the final result. She is a very seasoned baker and knew when she put it in the over that something was missing. I too thought it looked too thick when I placed it in the oven! She called her’s an Amish “Brick”, yet it wasn’t fully cooked in the center. Mine was great on the outer edges, but the middle also didn’t cook properly. I googled this recipe and EVERY other one that I found has you add 1 cup of milk to the ingredients when mixing to bake the bread!! (And all the other ingredients were EXACTLY the same!! ) I don’t think the twenty or so other recipes are wrong!
Giving this a second try with the 1 cup of milk added!
Hey, Marie! There is milk in this recipe as well. Where did I miss it? Do I have a typo somewhere? 🙂
Only on day 6 and on day 10 Before dividing the batter. Milk is not listed with the ingredients along with the eggs, oil, etc. before baking.
Okay, perfect! Thanks so much for catching that, Marie! I’ve updated the recipe to correct my mistake. 🙂
Thank you! I look forward to my next batch because the flavour was great!!
i was just wondering on the 10th day when you mix all the ingredients together is it by hand? Or at that point can you use a hand mixer. The beaters on the hand mixer are metal. So I’m guessing probably not. Is that correct?
Hey, Joann! At that point, I’m not sure that the metal mixers would be a problem, but I would just mix by hand to be safe. 🙂
I baked my bread on day 10.ended up with 4 more bags. gave one away. how do i bake one of the others from freezer without having to end up with another four bags
I’m not sure, Carolyn! I guess that’s why it’s called “friendship bread” — so that you can keep giving it away! 🙂
Just take it out of freezer let it set a day and add ingredients and bake. I never give away just make it and then I have my 4 portions. I make one portion and than I freeze 3 portions. When I want more bread I take one out. When I use the 3rd portion I bring the 3rd and 4th portion out. Cook the 3rd portion and use the other as a starter. I have also just made 3 portions before to get 6 loaves (one set with raisins, one with nuts and one plan).
Oh my I had no idea you could freeze it! So go through the whole process and on the day you split it up,you just split as if you’re giving it away,but rather than give it away, you freeze it? Thank you for that information! Gayle
Exactly, I just divide like I am going to give it away and freeze it. My kids love it so I have never frozen it for very long, maybe two months
I’ve done the same thing and it thaws out perfectly. 🙂
Do I use plain flour?
Yep! Just regular all-purpose flour. 🙂
OH my goodness thank you so much for this recipe , I will post pics if it turns out good lol
Excellent! Enjoy, Gayle!
I picked your website because a google search showed a picture of your bread, and it looked exactly how I wanted mine to look, with a nice brown color and a tall rise in the middle. Most other breads look so flat. I followed your recipe and made this bread last night, it turned out perfectly. Thank you so much for sharing your recipe!
That’s great, Robyn! Thanks for your kind note. I’m so glad that you enjoyed it!
Hi Blair…. Had this starter years ago. Kept it going for 7yrs before I killed it. Didn’t know how to start one. Now I do thank you. Also wanted to say that I sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar in the pan first shaking it all around the pan, then adding mixture. Sprinkle a little on top. Also I change out different puddings for different flavors. Thanks again for the starter, I plan to start up again.
Wonderful, Laura! I hope that you enjoy the bread again! Love the idea of sprinkling the dish with cinnamon and sugar. YUM!
It’s now day 10 and I have to work late tonight. Have you ever let it go an extra day? I would just freeze it, but I think it’s silly to do that for just one day. Thanks!
Hi, Heather! I haven’t tried letting it go longer, but I think it should be fine! 🙂
I’m confused on day 10 do you add to it before deciding it in 4 bags
Hi, Trina! On Day 10, you’ll put all of the starter from the bag in a large bowl, and then add the extra ingredients listed. Then measure out 1 cup of the mixture into 4 separate bags. What remains left in the bowl will be used to bake your loaf of bread as instructed in the recipe. Hope that helps to clarify! 🙂
How long can it be stored in the baggies? Do you (or whoever you give it to) have to start as soon as it is received or can you wait until you’re ready to start?
Hi, Lauren! The bread needs to be baked on Day 10, so if you give it to your friend on Day 5, just make sure that she knows which day she should make the bread. Hope that makes sense! 🙂
RE: Out of friends, overwhelmed by starter
This starter was given to me, and we made delicious bread! I decided to keep all the new starters to make neighbor treats, but now I have four batches ready to go, and no way to get rid of 16 new starters. Is there a way to make the bread on Day 10 without creating the host of starters from each one? I only have so many friends and freezer space, and if the start becomes sentient, my kitchen is doomed.
Hi, May! I think that I understand your question. 🙂 I honestly don’t know what to suggest, since I’ve never tried making the bread without the full recipe. You might do what one reader suggested in a comment — just make the bread from scratch without a starter (see her recipe). That way you’re not creating a bunch of extra starters that you don’t have any use for. Hope that helps!
May, I have done this before (on a smaller scale). On day 10, I add the milk/flour/sugar. Then I put 1c of the mixture into two bags. I double the recipe for what you add to the bowl, then bake 4 loaves. I then either freeze or give away the two starter bags. I think we have 6 starter bags in our freezer right now, and are no longer slaves to ta starter 🙂
Theoretically, if you wanted to use up all of the starter mix, you could add the milk/flour/sugar, leave it all in the bowl, and multiply the other ingredients you add by 4. Then bake 8 loaves, and you’re good to go!
Hope this helps.
Has anyone used banana pudding and bananas in their recipe? How did it turn out?
Hi, thank you for the recipe. I made mine and it was absolutely delicious. I have a question though, what if it’s day 10 and I don’t want to share the starter, can I divide the whole batch of starter to make 4 loaves instead of 2 loaves only?
Yes! 🙂
On day 10, after i have added the milk sugar and flour and divided into 4 batches … do i add more milk flour and sugar to the bowl with the remainder ingredients? Im trying to decipher what it means to “add remaining ingredients”
Hey, Alisha! On Day 10, after you’ve divided the 4 batches, you can set aside 3 bags of starter to give to your friends and keep 1 cup of the starter for yourself. Put your 1 cup of starter in a non-metal bowl. To your 1 cup of starter in the bowl, add the 3 eggs, 1 cup of canola oil, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup milk, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, 1.5 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 2 cups flour, 1 large box dry instant pudding mix). Stir together. This is your batter. Divide the batter between two loaf pans and bake as instructed.
Enjoy!
Yes. Replace the pudding with banana pudding and add a mashed banana everything c else the same. Makes 2 nice loaves. Everyone loved it!
Great tip, Pam!
My recipe calls to feed on the 5th and 10th day. It is 1 cup sugar, 1 cup flour, and 1 cup milk added both times.
I accidentally added 1.5 cups each of sugar , flour and milk in day 6. What should I do? I am in day 10 today.
Hi, Shannon! I honestly don’t know. 🙁
Can you make this without the instant pudding? Very hard to find here, especially now with grocery shopping time extremely limited. Also, do you know if there is a substitution for yeast that can be used? Love this recipe and would love to be able to make it with my limited resources.
Hi, Teresa! I know, it’s definitely tough to find groceries at the moment! I’ve never tried the bread without the pudding mix, so I have no idea if it would work or how the consistency/flavor would change. I also haven’t tried making it without the yeast, and I worry that the texture would be really off without it. Not sure though!
It sounds like what you’re looking for it a cinnamon-sugar quick bread recipe. I would suggest using this recipe for my Brown Sugar Cinnamon Muffins, but bake the batter in a loaf pan instead of in a muffin tin. It doesn’t require pudding mix or yeast, but will give you a similar flavor. https://www.theseasonedmom.com/cinnamon-muffins/ If baking in a loaf pan, I would use a 350 degree F oven for about 45 – 55 minutes, or until cooked through. Hope that helps!
Thank you Blair. Just now saw your reply, so apologize for the late response. I have tried without the pudding and it didn’t change the consistency all that much. Of course living at 8000 ft above sea level makes baking a challenge to itself. Thank you for all your delicious recipes. Take care and God bless.
Great to know! Thanks, Teresa! 🙂
Just viewed recipe. The printable directions, 2 pages, with your logo, is missing milk in the bread baking part of recipe. I have a recipe for 1/2 cup of milk. Yours on web page says 1 cup. But not on the printable one! Which is correct??? Thanks.
Also, on day 10 my recipe calls for only 1 cup each of flour, sugar & milk. Will that be ok? Yours says
1 1/2 cup.
Hi, Barbara! I just double-checked both sets of directions and they both include 1 cup of milk when you go to bake your portion of the starter on baking day. Hope that helps. 🙂
Hello! I received a starter from a family member but got confused o. The day. So I didn’t add the Day 6 ingredients until Day 7. Should I bake on Day 10 even though the ingredients in the middle were added a day late or wait and bake on Day 11? Thanks in advance!
I would wait until day 11. I have waited to bake on day 11, and it was delicious! Plus that gives your day 6 (7) ingredients the full 4 days to ferment.
Yes — I agree with Heather! It won’t hurt to wait until day 11 to bake. 🙂
Is it okay to make it on day 10? That would be more convenient for me but I don’t want to mess it up lol
Yes, I would think so. 🙂
Hi, I was just wondering if you could use Instant Yeast for this bread. I have never tried it before and that’s what I have on hand. So I was just wonder if it would work just as good as the dry active yeast.
Hi, Jo! I think it can be done with no problem, but I haven’t tried it myself. Here’s a helpful link that explains how to swap out the regular dry active yeast for instant yeast in recipes: https://www.cooksillustrated.com/how_tos/6620-yeast-types
Hope that helps, and enjoy!
I am so grateful to find this recipe! I had it years ago when a friend of mine gave it to me with some starter. I continued making the recipe, in mini loaves so I could give one as a sample with the recipe and starter, for over a year. I also put walnuts in mine. People who were unable to make their own requested it from me every ten days! It’s so delicious! In many moves the recipe was lost. I now live in an Assisted Living facility and would like to make this for my new friends and my church family. Thank you so much for posting it. I also put it in my Pinterest account. That way I shouldn’t lose it again.
That’s awesome, Cheryl! I’m so glad that you found the recipe so that you can share it with your new friends now. Enjoy!!!
I made this recipe today,absolutely delicious I have 4 bags of starter. I can freeze them no problem. I am not able to give any bags away.. My question is, after I defrost a bag and do the day process, can I bake 2 loaves without making additional bags?
Hi, Linda! I’m not really sure how that would work. To just bake 2 loaves from the thawed bag, you’d have to discard 3/4 of that bag and then just use the remaining 1/4 of the bag with 1/4 of the dry ingredients called for in the recipe. It would be a lot of math, but you could do it. 🙂
I am at day 10, and I’m not sharing any. Can I just take 1 cup out of my bag and do the bake, with out having to add the last bit of milk, sugar and flour? I don’t see why I have to add to just throw it away. Every 10 days I’ve been baking and just want to stop for a while. Already have some in the freezer.
Hi, Linda! I honestly don’t know. I haven’t tried baking some of the mix without adding the other ingredients. If you give it a shot, let me know if it turns out. That would be helpful for others to know, too. 🙂
I finally tried this yesterday. It worked well and the bread was great. The only difference was that the loaves were smaller than usual. So adding the extra flour, sugar and milk must increase the batter a little to make 2 loaves. Next time I will make one large loaf and some smaller loaves with what is left.
I’m not understanding why I would have to discard 3/4 of bag. Can’t I just use 1 cup, before I add on day 10, and then add baking ingredients to bake? Wouldn’t it be the same as day 10 instructions without adding? I just feel it is such a waste to add and throw it out.
Hi Linda! Removing a portion is a component in every starter to achieve the desired end result. You have to do the same for sourdough starter too. You don’t need to toss it though; you can use it in a recipe instead. Try subbing for sour cream in cake or tea bread. I bet it would be delicious!
Thanks for explaining that, Robyn! 🙂
Delicious.! It takes like a cake.
Thanks, Tabitha! I totally agree — such a treat! 🙂
I got a starter from a friend and just baked the bread two days ago. It was delicious! My husband loved it. I was wondering if I could add mashed bananas to make it like a banana bread? Would I leave something out and use the banana as a substitute maybe? Maybe the milk? Thanks! Was also glad to learn I can freeze the starters. I was only able to give one away so still have 3.
Hi, Christine! I’m so glad that it was a hit! Bananas are a great substitute for some of the fat that’s typically called for in quick bread recipes. I would try replacing half of the oil with an equal amount of mashed bananas and see how that works. Let us know if you give it a shot!
Hi! Just made this bread at it was delicious!
Question.. the recipe says to put a cup of starter into 4 bags, then make bread with what is left in the bowl. With the 4th bag you save for yourself, can I just make bread 10 days later? Or do I have to split that bag into 4 again?
Hi, Rosie! Great question…and I’m not sure that I have the correct answer since I’ve never tried to think this through before. Maybe someone else can weigh in, too! My thought is that since you have to “feed” the starter to keep it alive by adding the flour, sugar and milk on Day 6, you’ll need to divide it up again at the end to keep the ratios/proportions correct for each loaf.
Hello, this is the first time I will be making this! Do you need to bake the bread in glass loaf pans or can they be metal? Thank you for posting!
Hi, Colleen! You can use any loaf pan — metal will be fine! 🙂
Thank you!!
Love this, we are on our second round. I am wondering if anyone has tried transitioning this starter into a sourdough bread recipe? Best regards!
Thanks, Michael! I honestly have no idea if the starter would work for sourdough bread. Sorry I’m not an expert in that arena. 🙂
Hello. Many asked how much batter is left after you divide up the 4, one cup bags. I made mine today and I measured it out so everyone would k ow and it was 2 cups. I also added 3 ripe mashed bananas and cut the oil down to 1/2 cup and it came out great! Happy baking and Thanksgiving everyone.
That’s so helpful, Debi! Thanks for taking the time to measure and leave a note! 🙂
Are there other non-sweet bread recipes you can use this same starter for? For instance, a white bread or sourdough bread? I have tried to find some but the starter recipes are different, this is the starter that I have.
I’ve used my friendship starter to make French bread before; it came out sweet, a bit like Hawaiian bread. I would guess that any savory bread you make will have a sweet undertone because of the amount of sugar in the starter. I bet it would make an excellent corn bread. You should be able to substitute the starter for any recipe that has sour cream or buttermilk. I have this sourdough jalapeno cornbread recipe that I’ve been wanting to try with friendship starter – if you make it let me know how it goes!
Alaska Jack’s Jalapeno Pepper Cornbread
1 1/2 cups corn meal
1 1/2 Tbs sugar
1 1/2 tsps salt
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups starter
1 1/2 tsps cream of tartar
1 1/2 tsps baking soda
2 eggs – slightly beaten
1 cup cheddar or Monterey jack cheese – shredded
1 cup onion -chopped
1/3 to 1/2 cup finely chopped jalapeno peppers
Combine corn meal, sugar and salt in a mixing bowl. Scald milk, pour over corn meal; cool to lukewarm. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour into buttered 9 inch square pan. Bake at 425 F for 40 minutes.
Sounds awesome! Thanks, Robyn!
How should you store baked Amish friendship bread. How long will it last?
I let mine cool 24 hours in the pan, cover it with parchment paper, placed carefully in a freezer bag and put it in freezer. I done this because I’m making a Hard Candy Christmas and my ppl will be getting homemade food/gifts. I will be making the last two loaves today, 6 loaves total.
Great tip, and a great gift idea, Gayle! 🙂
Hi, Mary! Let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly and store it at room temperature for 2-3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. You can also freeze for up to 3 months. Enjoy!
Hi! So, I pulled some starter out of the freezer about 9 days ago. I remember when we were using it before, I found myself “burping” the bag almost daily. I haven’t had to release any gases this time! Do you think it will still be good? I’m hoping to give loaves away to the neighbors for the holidays, so I’m hoping it’ll still work! Thanks in advance.
Hi, Heather! I know that many folks have had great success with freezing the starter, so I think it should work fine for you. No guarantees, though, since I have no idea if your particular starter is still good. I’d do a test batch and see how it turns out. If it doesn’t work well, then you can change plans slightly and still bake a version of the bread without starter to share with friends. Just google “Amish Friendship Bread no starter” and you should find plenty of options. Hope that helps!
Update: they did great!! I had two bags of starter and made 10 loaves of bread (plus two bags of starter). Did one triple batch and one double batch. I haven’t tasted them yet, but they seem to have turned out perfectly!
Awesome, Heather! I’m so glad that it worked well for you. Thanks for taking the time to leave a note and let me know!
I forgot to add the ingredients on Day 6. Now it is day 11. Do you think I could add the ingredients of Day 6 and then wait 4 days to to begin the process to make additional starters and bake some bread for myself?
Yes, I think that will be fine! 🙂
On Day 10, if I want to bake the bread without making 4 starters, what would I do?
Hi, Becky! I suppose you could measure out just 1/4 of the starter, add 1/4 of the additional ingredients (so just 0.375 cups each of flour, sugar and milk), and then prepare according to the recipe from there. You’d still have extra starter leftover, which you could discard if you don’t want to use it.