If you have a fondness for cozy, sweet breads that not only warm your kitchen but also your heart, then this Amish Friendship Bread Recipe is an absolute must-try. This charming recipe is more than just a bread; it’s a celebration of sharing and community, passed along through friends and family, creating bonds as rich and delightful as the bread itself. With its distinctive cinnamon-sugar topping and tender crumb, this is a treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, inviting you to be part of a timeless baking tradition.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Amish Friendship Bread Recipe uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together to create a perfectly sweet and tender bread. Each ingredient plays an essential role, whether it’s building the starter culture or adding that comforting cinnamon-sugar flavor that makes every bite unforgettable.
- Active dry yeast (¼ package): Kickstarts the starter with gentle fermentation to develop flavor and rise.
- Warm water (¼ cup): Helps activate the yeast and blend the starter smoothly.
- All-purpose flour (several cups): The base of both the starter and the bread that provides structure and softness.
- Sugar (varied amounts): Sweetens the bread delicately, also fuels fermentation in the starter.
- Warm milk (multiple cups): Enriches the bread making it moist and tender.
- Eggs (3): Bind ingredients together and contribute to a rich texture.
- Oil (1 cup): Adds moisture and keeps the bread pleasantly soft.
- Cinnamon (2 tsp total): Spices up the recipe with that warm, inviting flavor.
- Vanilla extract (½ tsp): Gives a subtle depth of flavor to the bread.
- Baking powder and baking soda: Work together to ensure a nice rise and fluffiness.
- Salt (½ tsp): Balances the sweetness and enhances overall taste.
- Instant vanilla pudding mix (1 box): Creates a wonderfully moist texture and a hint of creaminess.
How to Make Amish Friendship Bread Recipe
Step 1: Creating the Starter
The heart of the Amish Friendship Bread Recipe is its starter. Begin by dissolving the yeast in warm water for about 10 minutes until bubbly. Then mix flour, sugar, and milk in a large glass bowl. Stir in the yeast mixture fully and pour the starter into a ziplock bag, marking it as Day 1. The starter ferments over 10 days, developing the rich flavor that makes this bread special.
Step 2: Caring for the Starter
For the first day, just let the starter rest. Then, from Days 2 to 5, gently squish the bag daily to mix it and release excess air. On Day 6, nourish the starter by adding 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk to the bag, then squish again. Continue squishing through Days 7 to 9 to keep the fermentation active and lively.
Step 3: Baking Day Preparation
When Day 10 arrives, it is time to bake! Pour the starter mixture into a large bowl and enrich it by stirring in 1 cup each of flour, sugar, and milk. Then set aside 1 cup of this starter to preserve for future batches. Divide the rest into four ziplock bags, sharing the joy by giving three bags away to friends along with the recipe.
Step 4: Mixing and Baking the Bread
Preheat your oven to 325ºF and prepare two 9-inch bread pans by spraying and dusting them generously with cinnamon sugar. Mix 1 cup reserved starter with eggs, oil, vanilla, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pudding mix, additional sugar, cinnamon, and flour until smooth. Pour the batter into the pans, sprinkle with remaining cinnamon sugar, and pop them into the oven for about an hour until golden and fragrant.
How to Serve Amish Friendship Bread Recipe
Garnishes
A simple dusting of powdered sugar or a light drizzle of vanilla glaze can elevate this bread beautifully without overpowering the cinnamon-sugar topping. Fresh fruit like sliced apples or berries served alongside can add a fresh twist that complements the warmth of the bread wonderfully.
Side Dishes
This bread pairs exceptionally well with a warm cup of coffee or tea, making it a perfect breakfast or afternoon treat. For a heartier option, serve it alongside creamy soups or stews, where the sweet, dense bread can be dipped and enjoyed as a comforting side.
Creative Ways to Present
Why not turn your Amish Friendship Bread Recipe into delightful gift packages? Wrap individual slices in parchment, tied with a ribbon, and share with neighbors or coworkers. Or, cut into cubes and serve as French toast sticks for a fun brunch option that transforms the bread into a playful experience.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After baking, allow the bread to cool completely and store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This keeps the crumb moist and the cinnamon sugar crisp on top, so every bite stays deliciously fresh.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy Amish Friendship Bread Recipe later, wrap the cooled loaves tightly in plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to three months. When you’re ready to indulge, thaw at room temperature or overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-from-the-oven warmth, reheat slices in a toaster oven or microwave for a few seconds. This revives the tender texture and lifts the cinnamon aroma, making it feel like you just baked it yourself.
FAQs
What is Amish Friendship Bread?
Amish Friendship Bread is a sweet, cinnamon-flavored bread that begins with a fermented starter handed down between friends. The ritual of sharing the starter is key, symbolizing friendship and kindness through baking and sharing delicious loaves.
How long does the starter take to ferment?
The starter ferments for 10 days, during which it is fed and cared for to develop the sweet, tangy flavor and help the bread rise beautifully.
Can I change the flavor of the pudding mix?
Absolutely! While vanilla pudding is traditional, you can experiment with different pudding flavors like butterscotch or chocolate to add your own unique twist to the classic Amish Friendship Bread Recipe.
How do I keep the starter alive for future batches?
Reserve 1 cup of the starter each time you bake, and feed it fresh flour, sugar, and milk as instructed. You can keep it refrigerated for a short time or start a new 10-day cycle to bake again, allowing you to enjoy this tradition repeatedly.
Is Amish Friendship Bread sweet like cake?
It is sweet, but with a texture more like a tender, moist quick bread rather than a cake. The cinnamon sugar topping adds a lovely sweet crunch that complements the soft, flavorful interior perfectly.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about making and sharing Amish Friendship Bread Recipe; it’s more than just baking, it’s a warm tradition of connection and generosity that fills your home with amazing smells and your heart with joy. I encourage you to try this recipe, invite loved ones to join in, and start your own beautiful friendship bread journey today!
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Amish Friendship Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 10 days 1 hour 15 minutes (including starter fermentation)
- Yield: 2 loaves (10 servings) 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Amish Friendship Bread is a beloved sweet yeast bread made from a unique sourdough starter that is nurtured over 10 days. Rich, moist, and full of warm cinnamon flavor, this bread is perfect for sharing with friends and family, embodying a tradition of friendship and community baking.
Ingredients
Starter Ingredients
- 1 (.25-oz) package active dry yeast
- ¼ cup warm water
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup warm milk
Feeding Starter Ingredients (Day 6 and final preparation)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (divided)
- 2 cups sugar (divided)
- 2 cups milk (divided)
Bread Ingredients
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup oil
- ½ cup milk
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 (5.1-oz) box instant vanilla pudding (any flavor works)
- ½ cup sugar (for topping)
- 1½ tsp cinnamon (for topping)
Instructions
- Make Starter: In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water and let it sit for 10 minutes to activate. In a large glass bowl, thoroughly combine 1 cup flour and 1 cup sugar. Stir in 1 cup warm milk and the yeast mixture. Pour this mixture into a ziplock bag labeled as ‘Day 1’ and gently squish it.
- Days 1-5: For each day from Day 1 to Day 5, simply squish the ziplock bag to distribute the starter and remove any excess air. No additional ingredients are added during these days.
- Day 6 Feeding: Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk to the starter in the ziplock bag. Seal and squish to combine and remove extra air.
- Days 7-9: Continue squishing the starter bag daily to help fermentation and redistribute the mixture.
- Day 10 – Baking Day: Empty the entire ziplock starter contents into a large bowl. Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk. Mix thoroughly.
- Reserve Starter: Set aside 1 cup of the starter mixture for future bread starters. Divide the remaining 4 cups evenly into 4 ziplock bags, label with the date, keep one, and share others with friends along with instructions.
- Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 325ºF (163ºC).
- Prepare Bread Pans: Combine ½ cup sugar with 1½ tsp cinnamon. Spray two 9-inch bread pans with nonstick cooking spray, then dust them with half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly. Set aside.
- Make Bread Batter: In a large bowl, place the reserved 1 cup starter, then add 3 eggs, 1 cup oil, ½ cup milk, 1 cup sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp vanilla, 1½ tsp baking powder, ½ tsp baking soda, ½ tsp salt, 2 cups flour, and the instant pudding mix. Blend all ingredients until well combined.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared bread pans. Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture over the batter. Bake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes until golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Notes
- The starter fermentation process requires patience but is key to the bread’s unique flavor and texture.
- You can use any instant pudding flavor to alter the taste profile of the bread.
- Ensure all dairy ingredients are warm but not hot to properly activate the yeast.
- The bread is excellent served warm with butter or as a sweet treat for breakfast or dessert.
- Sharing starter bags is a traditional way to spread this delicious bread and foster community.
- Store baked bread wrapped tightly in plastic to maintain moisture.
