Okay, gather 'round, because we need to talk about something truly special: **Amish Friendship Bread**. Have you ever been given a baggie of bubbly, sweet-smelling starter and felt like you'd joined a secret club? That's exactly how I felt the first time my neighbor, bless her heart, handed me a bag. It felt like a culinary rite of passage, a sweet little chain letter of deliciousness. This isn't just any bread; it's warm, comforting, incredibly moist, and it smells like pure happiness baking in your oven.

There's something so uniquely satisfying about making Amish Friendship Bread. It’s more than just mixing ingredients; it’s about nurturing that starter, feeling connected to whoever shared it with you, and then creating something utterly delightful to share with others. It’s a little bit of effort spread out over days, but oh my goodness, the payoff is so worth it. The aroma alone is enough to make your house feel like a cozy bakery. Trust me, once you make this, you'll want to keep that starter going forever!

Why You’ll Love This Amish Friendship Bread Recipe

Alright, so why *this* Amish Friendship Bread recipe? Because it’s the one I keep coming back to, year after year, starter or no starter (though having the starter is half the fun, right?!). It just works, and it tastes like pure comfort. Here’s why I think you’ll fall head over heels for it too:

It’s surprisingly forgiving! Even if your starter isn’t *perfectly* bubbly, this recipe is pretty robust. It still turns out a wonderfully moist and flavorful loaf. It’s a great recipe for when you’re just starting out with friendship bread.
The flavor is out of this world. That blend of cinnamon, vanilla pudding mix (my little secret!), and the slight tang from the starter? It’s magic. It’s sweet, but not *too* sweet, and just screams “cozy kitchen.”
It makes two loaves! This is perfect for sharing (hence “friendship” bread!). You get one to keep and one to give away, or, let’s be honest, one to eat now and one to hide for later. No judgment here!
Using the starter is so rewarding. There’s something truly special about taking that bubbly, active starter and turning it into something so delicious. It feels like a little baking science experiment with a tasty outcome!
It’s incredibly versatile. This recipe is a fantastic base. Want to add chocolate chips? Go for it! Nuts? Absolutely! A swirl of cinnamon sugar? Yes, please! You can really make it your own.

Seriously, this recipe takes that special Amish Friendship Bread starter and turns it into something truly spectacular without being overly complicated. It’s a winner in my book!

Gathering Your Ingredients for Amish Friendship Bread

Okay, before we dive into mixing up this goodness, let’s get everything ready. Think of it like gathering your baking buddies! Having everything measured out and waiting makes the whole process so much smoother, and honestly, less messy. Here’s what you’ll need to make two glorious loaves of Amish Friendship Bread:

First and foremost, you absolutely need **1 cup of active Amish Friendship Bread starter**. This is the heart of the recipe, the bubbly, tangy magic that makes it all work! If you don’t have a starter yet, you’ll need to get one from a friend or make your own – that’s a whole other fun adventure!

Next up, the wet stuff: **3 large eggs**, beaten just a little. You’ll also need **1 cup of neutral-flavored oil**. Vegetable or canola oil works perfectly here. And don’t forget **1 cup of milk**. Whole milk is my go-to for richness, but whatever you have on hand is usually fine.

For sweetness, we’re using **1 cup of granulated sugar**. And to add that lovely warm, classic baked goods flavor, you’ll need **1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract**.

Now for the dry ingredients. You’ll need **2 cups of all-purpose flour**. Make sure you measure it correctly – spoon it into your measuring cup and level it off, don’t just scoop it straight from the bag! We need some leavening power, so grab **1 teaspoon of baking soda** and **1 teaspoon of baking powder**. A little bit of **1/2 teaspoon of salt** helps balance all that sweetness.

To give it that signature spiced flavor, you’ll need **1 teaspoon of cinnamon**. And here’s where my little secret comes in that takes it over the top: **1 small box (3.4 ounces) of instant vanilla pudding mix**. Seriously, don’t skip this! It adds amazing moisture and flavor.

That’s it! See? Nothing too fancy, just good, honest ingredients that come together to make something truly special. Get everything out and measured, and you’ll be ready to rock and roll!

Step-by-Step: How to Make Amish Friendship Bread

Okay, ingredients are ready, you’ve got that lovely bubbly starter, and your kitchen is probably already starting to feel cozy just *thinking* about it. Let’s turn all that goodness into two loaves of amazing Amish Friendship Bread! This process is pretty straightforward, but following these steps will help make sure you get that perfect, moist texture every single time.

First things first, we need to get the oven ready and the pans prepped. This is a crucial step, especially with moist quick breads like this, to avoid any sticking disasters! Nobody wants a beautiful loaf stuck to the bottom of the pan.

Preparing Your Pans for Amish Friendship Bread

You’ll need two standard loaf pans for this recipe. I like to use the 9×5 inch size. The goal here is to create a non-stick surface so your gorgeous bread slides right out when it’s done. I always preheat my oven *before* doing this step, because you want those pans ready to go as soon as the batter is mixed.

My favorite way to prepare them is a good old-fashioned grease and flour. You can use butter, shortening, or even a non-stick cooking spray. Make sure you get into all the corners and up the sides – don’t be shy! Once they’re nicely coated with grease, add a couple of tablespoons of all-purpose flour to each pan. Tilt and tap the pan to distribute the flour evenly, coating the greased surfaces. Tap out any excess flour over the sink. This creates a perfect barrier between the batter and the pan.

Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients for Amish Friendship Bread

Now for the mixing! Grab your biggest mixing bowl. We’re starting with the wet ingredients. Pour in your **1 cup of Amish Friendship Bread starter** – it should be bubbly and smell slightly fermented, in a good way! Add the **3 beaten eggs**, **1 cup of oil**, **1 cup of milk**, **1 cup of granulated sugar**, and **1 teaspoon of vanilla extract**. Give this a good stir with a whisk or a wooden spoon until everything is nicely combined and the sugar is starting to dissolve. It will look a little loose and maybe even a bit bubbly from the starter – that’s totally fine!

In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together all your dry ingredients: the **2 cups of all-purpose flour**, **1 teaspoon of baking soda**, **1 teaspoon of baking powder**, **1/2 teaspoon of salt**, **1 teaspoon of cinnamon**, and that magical **small box of instant vanilla pudding mix**. Whisk them really well to make sure the leavening agents and the pudding mix are evenly distributed throughout the flour. This helps prevent weird pockets of baking soda or unmixed pudding.

Now, gently add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Use a wooden spoon or a spatula and mix just until everything is *just* combined. You’ll see some streaks of flour, and that’s exactly what you want! Don’t overmix! Overmixing quick breads can develop the gluten too much, resulting in a tough, dense loaf. A few lumps are perfectly okay.

If you’re adding any extras like chocolate chips, nuts, or raisins (and I highly recommend trying chocolate chips!), gently fold them in now. Try not to stir too much after adding them.

Pour the batter evenly into your two prepared loaf pans. You can use a spatula to scrape every last bit out of the bowl – no batter left behind!

Baking Your Delicious Amish Friendship Bread

Your oven should be preheated to **325°F (160°C)**. This lower temperature helps the bread bake through evenly without the outside getting too dark before the inside is done. Carefully place the loaf pans on the middle rack of your preheated oven.

Bake for **60 to 75 minutes**. The baking time can vary depending on your oven and the exact size of your pans, so be prepared to check on them. Around the 60-minute mark, start keeping an eye on them. The tops should be golden brown and may have a crack down the center. To test for doneness, insert a wooden skewer or a toothpick into the very center of the loaf. When it comes out clean, with no wet batter attached, your bread is ready!

If the tops are getting too dark before the center is done, you can loosely tent the pans with aluminum foil for the remaining baking time. This is a handy little trick!

Once they’re done, carefully take the pans out of the oven and place them on a wire rack. Let them cool in the pans for about **10 minutes**. This allows the bread to firm up a little before you try to take it out. After 10 minutes, carefully invert the pans to release the loaves onto the wire rack to cool completely. Resist the urge to slice into them right away! Letting them cool completely improves the texture and makes them easier to slice cleanly.

Essential Equipment for Amish Friendship Bread

Okay, so you’ve got your ingredients ready and you’re practically vibrating with excitement to get baking! Before you dive in, let’s just quickly go over the tools you’ll need. Nothing super fancy here, just your basic kitchen workhorses that will make whipping up this Amish Friendship Bread a breeze. You probably have most, if not all, of these already!

Two Loaf Pans: As mentioned before, standard 9×5 inch loaf pans are perfect for this recipe. Having two means you can bake both loaves at once.
Large Mixing Bowl: You’ll need a big one to combine all those wet ingredients and eventually mix in the dry ones. A sturdy one is great because you’ll be doing a bit of mixing.
Medium Mixing Bowl: For whisking together all your dry ingredients separately. Keeps things organized!
Whisk: Essential for getting those dry ingredients well combined and lump-free.
Wooden Spoon or Sturdy Spatula: My preference for mixing the batter. It gives you good control and helps prevent overmixing.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Gotta be accurate with your ingredients! Make sure you have both liquid and dry measuring cups.
Wire Cooling Rack: Crucial for letting your beautiful Amish Friendship Bread cool completely. Air circulating around the loaves helps prevent them from getting soggy bottoms.
Wooden Skewer or Toothpick: Your trusty tool for testing if the bread is done baking.

See? Pretty straightforward. You don’t need a stand mixer or any specialized gadgets for this. Just your hands, some bowls, and a few basic tools. Ready to bake?

Tips for Perfect Amish Friendship Bread Every Time

Alright, you’ve got the recipe, you know the steps, but let’s talk about those little things that can take your Amish Friendship Bread from “good” to “holy cow, this is amazing!” These are the little tricks I’ve picked up over the years that make a real difference. Pay attention to these, and you’ll be turning out perfect loaves every single time.

First off, let’s talk about your starter. It really is the heart of this bread. Make sure it’s active and bubbly before you use it. If it’s been sitting in the fridge for a while and looks a bit sad, give it a few days at room temperature with some feeding (flour, sugar, and milk!) to wake it up. An active starter gives you a better rise and flavor. Trust your nose too – it should have a pleasant, tangy, slightly fermented smell, not a strong, off odor.

Don’t overmix the batter! I know I said it before, but it’s worth repeating. Quick breads like Amish Friendship Bread get tough if you develop the gluten too much. Mix just until the dry ingredients are incorporated. A few small lumps are totally fine and actually better than a smooth, overworked batter.

Measure your ingredients accurately, especially the flour. Spooning flour into your measuring cup and leveling it off gently is key. Scooping directly from the bag can pack it in, leading to too much flour and a dry loaf. Precision matters here!

Grease and flour your pans *really* well. This bread is moist, and it loves to stick! Getting into all the corners ensures a clean release. I’ve had heartbreaking moments where a beautiful loaf just wouldn’t come out, and it’s always because I rushed the pan prep.

Be patient with the cooling! I know the smell is intoxicating, but letting the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack is important. It allows the structure to set. And letting it cool *completely* on the wire rack before slicing gives you cleaner slices and better texture. Warm bread is delicious, but fully cooled bread is easier to handle and the flavors deepen.

If your bread is browning too quickly on top before the center is done, don’t panic! Just loosely tent the pans with aluminum foil. This protects the top from getting any darker while the inside finishes baking. It’s a super simple fix.

Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment with mix-ins! Chocolate chips, nuts (walnuts or pecans are classic!), raisins, dried cranberries, a swirl of cinnamon sugar… they all work beautifully with this base recipe. Just fold them in gently at the end.

Follow these tips, and you’ll be well on your way to baking perfect, moist, and incredibly delicious Amish Friendship Bread loaves every single time you have starter on hand!

Frequently Asked Questions About Amish Friendship Bread

Okay, so you might have a few burning questions about this whole Amish Friendship Bread journey, especially if you’re new to the starter game! That’s totally normal. It feels a little different from baking a regular quick bread, and there are definitely things people wonder about. Here are some of the most common questions I get asked about making and keeping Amish Friendship Bread.

What is an Amish Friendship Bread Starter?

Think of the Amish Friendship Bread starter as a living, breathing culture of yeast, sugar, and flour. It’s kind of like a sourdough starter, but usually sweeter and meant specifically for this type of sweet bread. The yeast in the starter feeds on the sugar and flour, producing carbon dioxide bubbles (that’s the “bubbly” part!) and a slightly tangy flavor. This activity is what helps the bread rise and contributes to its unique taste and texture. It’s meant to be shared – you feed it over several days, use some for baking, and then pass portions of the starter along to friends, keeping the chain going. It’s a pretty cool concept, right?

How Do I Store Amish Friendship Bread?

Once your beautiful loaves of Amish Friendship Bread are completely cooled (seriously, wait until they’re cool!), you can store them at room temperature. Wrap the loaves tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or pop them into an airtight container. They’ll stay wonderfully moist and delicious for about 3 to 4 days on the counter. If you want to keep them longer, Amish Friendship Bread freezes beautifully! Wrap cooled loaves (or even individual slices!) very tightly in plastic wrap, then an extra layer of foil or a freezer bag. Frozen bread will last for several months. Just thaw it at room temperature on the counter when you’re ready for a slice of happiness!

Estimated Nutritional Information for Amish Friendship Bread

Alright, let’s talk about the nitty-gritty details, shall we? While Amish Friendship Bread is absolutely delicious and full of comforting goodness, it’s definitely more in the “treat” category than a health food staple. But hey, everything in moderation, right? Knowing the estimated nutritional information can be helpful, whether you’re keeping track of things or just curious.

Now, it’s super important to remember that these numbers are **estimates**. They can totally vary depending on the exact ingredients you use, the brands, whether you add extra goodies like chocolate chips or nuts, and even slightly on how big you slice your piece! But based on the core recipe, here’s a general idea of what you’re looking at per serving (which I’m figuring is one slice of a loaf cut into about 12 slices):

Serving Size: About 1 slice
Calories: Roughly 350
Sugar: Around 20g
Sodium: Approximately 250mg
Fat: About 18g
Saturated Fat: Close to 3g
Unsaturated Fat: Around 14g
Trans Fat: 0g (yay!)
Carbohydrates: Roughly 40g
Fiber: About 1g
Protein: Around 5g
Cholesterol: Approximately 35mg

So, yeah, it’s not exactly low-cal or low-sugar! But honestly, when you’re sinking your teeth into a warm slice of this moist, spiced goodness, sometimes it’s just about enjoying the moment. This bread is all about comfort and sharing, and a little bit of indulgence is perfectly fine. Just enjoy your slice, maybe with a cup of tea or coffee, and savor every bite!

Amazing Amish Friendship Bread: 1 Cup Starter Secret

Author: ferecipe.com
Total Time: 85 minutes
Yield: 2 loaves 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Sweet and moist Amish Friendship Bread, a starter-based loaf.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup Amish Friendship Bread Starter
3 eggs
1 cup oil
1 cup milk
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 small box instant vanilla pudding

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease and flour two loaf pans.
In a large bowl, combine starter, eggs, oil, milk, sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix well.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and pudding mix.
Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
Pour batter evenly into prepared loaf pans.
Bake for 60-75 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let cool in pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

This recipe requires an Amish Friendship Bread starter.
You can add chocolate chips, nuts, or fruit to the batter.
Store bread at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 70 minutes
Category: Bread
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 350
Sugar: 20g
Sodium: 250mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 35mg

Keywords: Amish Friendship Bread, sweet bread, starter bread, dessert bread