Amish Friendship Bread Starter Recipe
User Reviews
4.8
Amish Friendship Bread Starter Recipe
Description
This Amish Friendship Bread Starter begins by dissolving yeast in warm water, then mixing it with flour, sugar, and milk to form a mixture that ferments at room temperature until bubbly. The starter is kept alive through daily mashing and periodic additions of flour, sugar, and milk over about ten days. This extended fermentation encourages yeast and bacteria to develop, producing a unique sweet sourdough mixture.
The resulting starter is used as a base for Amish Friendship Bread recipes, which are sweet, cake-like breads or cakes. The procedure relies on non-metal bowls and utensils and requires maintaining the starter at room temperature without refrigeration. The starter can be stored and shared, supporting a baking tradition of passing it along to friends.
This recipe's consistency and tang come from the gradual fermentation and regular care, requiring attention to stirring and feeding schedules. The method supports making multiple bread loaves using the starter, adding versatility to your baking routine.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup water about 110 degrees, warm
- 1 package active dry yeast 2 1/4 teaspoons
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup milk (2% or higher fat)
Instructions
- Pour the warm water into a small glass bowl.
- Sprinkle the yeast over the water. Let this stand for 5-8 minutes to allow it to dissolve.
- In a larger glass bowl (or plastic bowl. Don't use metal bowls or utensils for sourdough), mix together the flour and sugar with a wooden spoon.
- Stir in the milk and then the yeast mixture.
- Cover loosely with plastic wrap and allow it to stand until bubbly.
- Once the mixture is bubbly, pour it into a gallon-size zippered plastic bag and seal. Do not refrigerate. Allow the sourdough mixture to sit out at room temperature. This counts as Day 1.
- Day 2: Mash the bag.
- Day 3: Mash the bag.
- Day 4: Mash the bag.
- Day 5: Mash the bag.
- Day 6: Add 1 cup each of flour, sugar and milk. Mash the bag until it is mixed well.
- Day 7: Mash the bag.
- Day 8: Mash the bag.
- Day 9: Mash the bag.
- Day 10: Pour the sourdough into a glass (or other nonmetal) bowl. Add 1/2 cup each of all-purpose flour, granulated sugar and milk. Mix well with a wooden spoon.
- Divide out 1 cup portions of the starter, placing each one-cup portion in separate zippered plastic bags. You'll get about 4-5 bags.
- Seal the bags, and give the starter away to friends along with the instructions, keeping one for yourself if desired. The starter then goes back to Day 1.
- Keep one starter for yourself.
- Click here for the instructions to bake the bread.
Notes
- Instant yeast can be used as an alternative to active dry yeast.
- The calorie count mentioned applies to one cup of the starter only; one cup of starter is used per two loaves of Amish Friendship Bread.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4cups
Amount Per Serving
Calories 337 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 337kcal | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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