There is something special about recipes that are shared among friends and passed down from one kitchen to another. One such beloved tradition is the Friendship Amish Bread Starter. This simple sourdough-like starter is the foundation of a sweet, cake-like bread that’s moist, delicious, and customizable. The unique aspect of this starter is the social experience it brings bakers are encouraged to divide the starter and pass it along to friends, creating a circle of giving and shared baking joy. With the right care and a bit of patience, this bread starter becomes a gift that keeps on giving, both in flavor and friendship.
What Is Friendship Amish Bread Starter?
The Friendship Amish Bread Starter is a homemade mixture of flour, sugar, and milk that ferments over a period of 10 days. During this time, it develops flavor and texture that helps produce a light and sweet bread with a tender crumb. Unlike traditional sourdough starters, this version does not require yeast from the air but uses packaged yeast in its first stage, making it easier for beginner bakers to maintain.
It’s called a ‘friendship’ starter because the recipe encourages sharing. At the end of the 10-day process, the mixture is divided into portions: one to bake, one to keep, and others to give away. Each person who receives a portion can start their own 10-day cycle and share it further. The starter becomes a symbol of connection and generosity, growing as it’s passed along.
Ingredients Needed to Make the Starter
To begin your own Amish Friendship Bread Starter from scratch, you will need a few simple pantry ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 package (about 2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup warm water (about 110°F or 43°C)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup milk (preferably whole or 2%)
The yeast and warm water start the fermentation process, while the sugar, flour, and milk serve as food for the yeast and build the mixture’s flavor.
Steps to Make the Starter
Follow these steps to prepare your Friendship Amish Bread Starter:
- Dissolve the yeast in warm water and let it sit for about 10 minutes until frothy.
- In a large glass or plastic bowl (avoid metal), mix together the flour and sugar.
- Add the milk and the dissolved yeast mixture to the bowl. Stir with a wooden or plastic spoon (again, avoid metal).
- Cover loosely with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let it sit at room temperature.
On the first day, this is all you need to do. Over the next 10 days, you’ll follow a schedule of feeding and mixing to keep the starter alive and active.
10-Day Starter Maintenance Schedule
Once your starter is made, here’s what to do each day for 10 days:
- Day 1: This is the day you make or receive the starter. Do nothing.
- Days 24: Stir the mixture once per day using a non-metal spoon.
- Day 5: Feed the starter by adding 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk. Stir well.
- Days 69: Stir once per day.
- Day 10: Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk again. Then divide the mixture into 4 equal portions (about 1 cup each). Keep one for yourself, give two or three to friends, and use the remaining one to bake.
From here, each recipient begins their own Day 1, continuing the cycle of baking and sharing.
How to Use the Starter to Make Friendship Bread
Now that you’ve gone through the 10-day process and kept a portion of the starter, you can use it to make classic Amish Friendship Bread. The base bread is sweet and moist, almost like a dessert loaf or snack cake. Here is a basic recipe using one portion (1 cup) of starter.
Basic Amish Friendship Bread Recipe
- 1 cup Amish bread starter
- 2/3 cup oil
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix (optional but traditional)
- 1/2 cup milk
Mix wet ingredients together, then add dry ingredients. Stir until just combined and pour into two greased loaf pans. Bake at 325°F (163°C) for 5060 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Ways to Customize Your Amish Friendship Bread
One of the best things about the Friendship Amish Bread recipe is its flexibility. You can add ingredients or adjust flavors to match your taste or the season. Here are a few popular variations:
- Banana Nut: Add 2 ripe mashed bananas and 1/2 cup chopped walnuts.
- Apple Cinnamon: Fold in 1 cup of chopped apples and an extra teaspoon of cinnamon.
- Chocolate Chip: Stir in 1/2 to 1 cup of mini chocolate chips before baking.
- Lemon Blueberry: Add lemon zest and 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries.
Each variation brings a new twist to the original recipe and keeps things interesting with every new batch.
How to Store and Maintain the Starter
If you don’t want to bake every 10 days, you can refrigerate the starter. When refrigerated, it becomes dormant and doesn’t need daily attention. However, you should still feed it once every 510 days by stirring in the usual 1 cup each of flour, sugar, and milk. Let it sit at room temperature for a few hours before returning it to the fridge.
You can also freeze the starter in 1-cup portions. When you’re ready to use it, thaw it at room temperature, and treat the thawed portion as Day 1 of a new cycle.
Benefits of Making and Sharing Amish Bread Starter
Aside from the obvious reward of fresh homemade bread, the Amish Friendship Bread Starter encourages community and kindness. Sharing a starter with someone is a thoughtful gesture that includes the gift of food, tradition, and opportunity. It gives others a reason to bake, experiment, and pass on the joy.
It’s also a fun and engaging way to teach children about baking, fermentation, and giving. Watching the starter grow and bubble each day adds a sense of anticipation, and baking the final product brings a real sense of satisfaction.
Friendship Amish Bread Starter is more than just a baking project it’s a symbol of connection and tradition. This simple mix of flour, sugar, and milk becomes the foundation for delicious bread and meaningful experiences. Whether you’re giving a starter to a neighbor, receiving one from a friend, or simply keeping it going in your own kitchen, this process offers warmth and flavor in every sense. With endless variations and the joy of sharing, the Amish bread starter continues to be a cherished part of many homes and communities.