Nothing beats catching up with friends over some good food, and what better way to do that than by sharing a homemade loaf of Amish Friendship Bread? This classic recipe has been passed down for generations and has become a staple in many homes. If you’re unfamiliar with this delicious treat, let us introduce you.
What is Amish Friendship Bread?
Amish Friendship Bread is a sweet, sourdough bread that is made with a starter that is passed along from friend to friend. The starter is a mix of flour, sugar, and yeast that ferments over several days, creating a tangy and slightly sweet flavor. Once the starter has been passed along and allowed to ferment, it can be used to make the bread, which can be customized with various ingredients.
The beauty of Amish Friendship Bread is that it not only creates a delicious treat to enjoy, but it also allows people to connect with one another. Sharing the starter requires you to give a portion of it away, encouraging you to connect with others in your community.
How to Make Amish Friendship Bread
Ready to give Amish Friendship Bread a try? Follow these simple steps to make your own:
- Day 1: Gather the ingredients for the starter, which include flour, sugar, and yeast. Combine these ingredients in a large bowl, mix well, and transfer to a gallon-sized Ziploc bag. Label the bag with the date and store at room temperature.
- Days 2-4: Squeeze the bag each day to help distribute the yeast and let out any air. Do not use any utensils when handling the bag.
- Day 5: Add 1 cup each of flour, sugar, and milk to the bag, and mix well. Squeeze the bag to distribute the contents and let out any air.
- Days 6-9: Squeeze the bag each day to help distribute the yeast and let out any air.
- Day 10: Add 1 cup each of flour, sugar, and milk to the bag, and mix well. Pour the entire mixture into a large mixing bowl.
- To the mixing bowl, add 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of milk, and 3 eggs. Mix well, then add 1 cup of oil, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Mix well, then add 2 cups of flour and any additional ingredients that you desire, such as chopped nuts or chocolate chips.
- Divide the batter into two greased loaf pans and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool before slicing and serving.
Feel free to get creative with your Amish Friendship Bread by adding in your own unique mix-ins. Some popular additions include raisins, chopped nuts, and chocolate chips. You can also experiment with different spices to create a flavor that is all your own.
Sharing Your Amish Friendship Bread
Once you’ve made your Amish Friendship Bread, it’s time to pass it along to your friends and family. Here are some tips for sharing your delicious creation:
- One of the best ways to share your Amish Friendship Bread is to give a loaf to a friend, along with the starter recipe and instructions on how to care for it. This way, they can continue the tradition by passing it along to their own friends.
- Consider hosting an Amish Friendship Bread party and inviting your friends over to bake and decorate their own loaves. This is a fun and interactive way to share the bread and spend time with friends.
- If you’re short on time but still want to share the bread, think about making smaller loaves or muffins that can be easily shared.
If you want to go the extra mile when sharing your Amish Friendship Bread, consider creating a printable instruction sheet or tag to go along with it. This will help ensure that your friends and family can make the bread on their own, even if they’re not familiar with the process.
Printable Instruction Sheets
To make things even easier, we’ve compiled some printable instruction sheets that you can use when sharing your Amish Friendship Bread. These sheets provide step-by-step instructions on how to make the starter and the bread, ensuring that everyone can enjoy this delicious treat.
Classic Amish Friendship Bread Instructions
This printable instruction sheet provides the classic Amish Friendship Bread recipe, along with step-by-step instructions on how to create the starter and make the bread.
Clean and Simple Amish Friendship Bread Instructions
If you’re looking for a more minimalist instruction sheet, this clean and simple design is perfect. It includes all the necessary information, without any unnecessary clutter.
Fun Red Amish Friendship Bread Instructions
If you want to add a pop of color to your instruction sheet, this fun red design is sure to do the trick. Along with the recipe and instructions, it also includes a whimsical graphic.
Classic Amish Friendship Bread Instructions (Printable Recipe Card)
This printable recipe card is perfect for those who prefer a more compact instruction sheet. It includes all the necessary information, but in a design that can easily fit into a recipe box.
Ready to Bake Some Amish Friendship Bread?
We hope this post has inspired you to try your hand at making some Amish Friendship Bread. Not only is it a delicious treat, but it also provides a great opportunity to connect with friends and family.
Don’t forget to share the starter recipe and instruction sheet with your friends, so they can continue the tradition and share it with their own friends. Happy baking!
Free Amish Friendship Bread Printables
To help make your baking and sharing experience even better, we’ve created some free Amish Friendship Bread printables that you can use. These printables include gift tags and recipe cards that are perfect for gifting your bread or keeping your recipe organized.
We hope you enjoy these printables and have fun creating and sharing your own Amish Friendship Bread!
