Amish Cinnamon Bread

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

Also commonly called Amish Friendship Bread, it's a recipe, a project and a gift to share with friends. Now, it may be friendship bread but it's not Amish. You knew that, huh? What gave it away, the Ziploc bags and instant pudding?

The simple, 10-day project produces two loaves of cinnamony, sourdough sweet-bread and 4 or 5 gift starters for your friends. So, good things do come to those who wait.

Important Preparation Tips

• Never use a metal spoon or bowl for mixing.
• When the bag inflates like a balloon, let the air out.
• Do NOT refrigerate. It is normal for the batter to thicken, bubble and ferment.
• Keep the bag closed unless letting air out or adding ingredients.

Day 1: You receive sourdough bread batter (sponge) in a 1-gallon Ziploc bag. Do nothing but place it on a platter on your countertop. It will become your "main squeeze" for the next 10 days.

(Afraid of commitment? Bake it, using the recipe below, or freeze it, then thaw and start with Day 1 when you're ready.)

Days 2 and 3: Squeeze the bag several times.

Day 4: Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk to the bag. Squeeze the bag several times. Keep the batter in the bag till the last day.

Day 5: Squeeze the bag several times.

Day 6: Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk to the bag then, you guessed it, squeeze the bag several times.

Days 7, 8 and 9: Squeeze the bag several times.

Day 10: It's baking and sharing time: In a large non-metallic bowl, combine the batter with another 1 cup of flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Mix with a wooden or plastic spoon. Set aside a cup of batter for yourself. Pour the remaining 4 to 5 cups batter, in 1 cup portions, into 1-gallon Ziploc bags and give them to friends along with a copy of these instructions.

Tip: Not sure who to share with? Try serving the loaves during a brunch gathering and give the starter to anyone who wishes. Be sure to keep one bag for yourself if you want to make the Friendship Bread again.

Return the cup of batter you set aside earlier to the bowl and add:
1 cup canola oil
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
1/2 cup milk
1 large (5.1-ounce) box instant vanilla pudding

Now mix 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon in a small bowl and sprinkle the mixture onto 2 well-oiled loaf pans. Pour the batter into the pans evenly. Bake at 350° for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Variations: Add 1 cup raisins, chopped nuts, chocolate chips, dried cranberries or shredded zucchini to the batter before baking.

Amish Cinnamon Bread
Starter Recipe

Starting from scratch? Again, use only non-metallic utensils.

In a medium bowl, thoroughly dissolve 1 package active dry yeast in 1/4 cup warm (105-115°) water. Stir in 3/4 cup warm (105-115°) milk.

Mix 1/2 cup sugar and 1 cup sifted all-purpose flour in a separate container. Gradually stir this into the yeast mixture.

Pour the starter into a 1-gallon Ziploc bag. Count this as Day 1 of the Friendship Bread process.

Sourdough Bread Starter Recipe

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