Best Amish Friendship Bread Recipes

AMISH FRIENDSHIP BREAD STARTER

Steps:

• In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Let stand 10 minutes. In a 2 quart container glass, plastic or ceramic container, combine 1 cup flour and 1 cup sugar. Mix thoroughly or flour will lump when milk is added. Slowly stir in 1 cup milk and dissolved yeast mixture. Cover loosely and let stand until bubbly. Consider this day 1 of the 10 day cycle. Leave loosely covered at room temperature.
• On days 2 through 4; stir starter with a spoon. Day 5; stir in 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Days 6 through 9; stir only.
• Day 10; stir in 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Remove 1 cup to make your first bread, give 2 cups to friends along with this recipe, and your favorite Amish Bread recipe. Store the remaining 1 cup starter in a container in the refrigerator, or begin the 10 day process over again (beginning with step 2).

AMISH FRIENDSHIP BREAD I

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 2 (9x5 inch) loaf pans.
• In a large bowl, combine the Amish bread starter with oil, eggs, 2 cups flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Mix well. Pour into prepared loaf pans.
• Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes.

AMISH FRIENDSHIP BREAD

Steps:

• To prepare starter: Place 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk in a 1-gallon resealable plastic bag. Seal bag and knead mixture until well combined. Let stand at room temperature overnight.
• For the next 4 days, continue kneading mixture once a day; keep at room temperature. On the sixth day add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk to bag. Seal and knead to combine; let stand at room temperature overnight.
• For the next 3 days, knead mixture twice a day. On the 10th day, transfer mixture to a large bowl. Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk; mix until well combined. Measure 1 cup of the mixture into each of 3 resealable plastic bags. Seal plastic bags and give each bag of starter mixture to a friend to make their own friendship bread.
• To make bread: Preheat oven to 330 degrees. Add oil to bowl with remaining starter mixture along with eggs, remaining 1/2 cup milk, and vanilla extract. Stir until well combined; set aside.
• In another large bowl, mix together remaining 2 cups flour, 1 cup of sugar, baking powder, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, salt, baking soda, pudding, and nuts, if desired. Add dry ingredients to starter mixture and stir until well combined. Divide batter evenly between two 8-by-4-by-2 1/2-inch loaf pans.
• In a small bowl, mix together remaining 3/4 cup sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon; sprinkle evenly over batter. Transfer to oven and bake for 1 hour. Let cool 15 minutes before removing from the pan.

EASY FRIENDSHIP BREAD (AMISH BREAD) STARTER

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast in small amount of warm water.
• Mix all ingredients together in a gallon-size ziploc bag. This is day one.
• Day 1 - Do nothing (This is the day you receive your starter, see date on your bag.).
• Day 2 - Mush the bag.
• Day 3 - Mush the bag.
• Day 4 - Mush the bag.
• Day 5 - Mush the bag.
• Day 6 - Add to the bag: 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup milk - Mush the bag.
• Day 7 - Mush the bag.
• Day 8 - Mush the bag.
• Day 9 - Mush the bag.
• Day 10 - Follow the instructions below:.
• Pour entire contents of the bag into a large non-metal bowl.
• For 4 starters: Add 1-1/2 cups flour, 1-1/2 cups sugar, 1-1/2 cups milk.
• For 1 starter: Add ½ cup flour, ½ cup sugar, ½ milk (Tip: Starter will form lumps - add flour and sugar only and stir until smooth then add milk gradually (it will take a lot of stirring.).
• Label four (or one), one-gallon Ziploc bags with "Day 1" and the date. Fill each of these bags with one cup of the mixture. These are starters for you to pass onto your friends and/or co-workers. If you'd like, you may keep one for yourself. Note: If you keep a starter bag for yourself, you will be baking bread every 10th day. If you don't keep one for yourself, you will have to wait until you receive another starter bag from a friend, as the Amish are the only ones who know how to create a starter. After filling the bags, there will be 1-1/2 cups of batter remaining.
• Preheat the oven to 325'.
• To the remaining batter add 3 eggs, 1-1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 cup oil (or ½ oil & ½ applesauce), ½ tsp baking soda, ½ cup milk, ½ tsp vanilla, 1 cup sugar, 2 cups flour, ½ tsp salt, 1 large box vanilla instant pudding, 2 tsp cinnamon, 1 cup raisins (optional), 1 cup chopped nuts (optional).
• Note: It is easier to mix if you combine the dry ingredients (except for sugar and pudding) in another bowl then add it slowly to the batter.
• Grease bottom and sides of 2 large loaf pans or spray with Pam. Mix ½ cup sugar and 1-1/2 tsp cinnamon in a small bowl. Dust the insides of each of the pans with half of the mixture, making sure to cover the bottom and sides well.
• Pour batter evenly into the 2 pans and sprinkle with remaining sugar mixture over top of the batter.
• Bake for approximately 1 hour (until toothpick comes out clean.) Cool until the bread loosens from the pan easily. Turn onto serving dish. May be served warm or cold. Enjoy.

AMISH CINNAMON BREAD (FRIENDSHIP BREAD)

Steps:

• Day One: For those making the starter from scratch: combine 1 cup milk, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup flour in a large zip lock bag and mush to mix ingredients. For those receiving the fermented batter in a gallon zip lock bag: Do nothing. Leave it to sit on the counter.
• On days 2-4: Squeeze the bag several times during the day. (If air builds up in the bag, open the zip lock slightly and remove the air). I took mine to work, laid it on my desk, and to relieve stress squeezed the bag several times during the day. Ha ha ha!
• On day 5: add 1 cup milk, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup self-rising flour to the bag. Squeeze the bag several times during the day.
• On days 6-8: Squeeze the bag several times during the day.(remove air).
• On day 9: Add 1 cup milk, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup self-rising flour into the bag. Close zip lock. Squeeze the bag several times during the day.
• Day 10: Pour 1/2 cup "starter" in four (4) separate gallon zip lock bags. These starters replace the milk, flour, and sugar used to start the very first batch from scratch. Give the four bags to friends along with the steps on how to finish making their own starters and bread, or freeze the starters for future use if desired, just be sure that once you take a starter out of the freezer, you let it sit out one day before starting your steps.
• In a large glass bowl add 2 cups self-rising flour, 1 cup of sugar, 3 eggs, 1 cup oil, 2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 cup milk, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 large box (or 2 small boxes) of instant vanilla pudding, 1/2 cup of either raisins, nuts, chocolate chips or fruit (optional) or 1/4 cup of any two of these ingredients; mix well.
• Spray well 2 large loaf pans with cooking spray.
• In a small bowl or cup, mix 1 tsp cinnamon and 2 tbsp sugar. Sprinkle about 1/2 to 2/3 in loaf pans, reserving about 1/3 to 1/2 of the mix.
• Pour batter into pans.
• Sprinkle remaining cinnamon and sugar mix across the tops of the batter.(You may choose to sprinkle the remaining mix after baking the bread).
• Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour.
• IMPORTANT NOTES:.
• You may also make small loaves. If you do, bake at the same temperature, but for 25-30 minutes.
• Do not use metal spoon or metal bowl for mixing.
• Do not refrigerate at any time during the process. Keep on the counter.
• If air builds up in the zip lock. Open the zipper slightly and squeeze the air out, being careful not to let any of the batter out. Quickly reseal.
• It is normal for the batter to thicken and bubble during the time it sits on the counter. This is called the fermentation process.
• You may replace the nuts or the raisins with chocolate chips or dried fruit (or fresh, not canned or frozen). Or you can eliminate them and just leave it plain. It's great any way you slice it. ;0).
• Also, the bread will yield more than four serving. If you do the two large loafs, it will yield how ever large a slice you want it to be. So if sliced about the size of a normal slice of bread, one loaf could yield about 16-18 slices. The serving size listed came off the paper I got with the recipe. I'm not sure why they say four servings. Each of four servings would be 1/2 a loaf.

AMISH FRIENDSHIP BREAD AND STARTER

Steps:

• Place ONE cup each sugar, milk, and flour in large glass or plastic bowl.
• Cover lightly with plastic wrap and set on your counter at room temperature. Stir with a wooden spoon everyday for 17 days.
• On day 18 do nothing.
• On days 19, 20, and 21, stir.
• On day 22, add 1 cup sugar, 1 cup milk, and 1 cup flour, and stir again.
• On days 23, 24, 25, and 26 stir.
• On day 27, add 1 cup milk, 1 cup flour, and 1 cup sugar and stir.
• It's now ready to use to make the bread.
• Give away two cups of the starter to two friends, use one to make the bread, and keep one to keep the starter going. When you give away a cup of the starter, give these directions for keeping it going: Do not refrigerate; Do not use metal spoon or metal bowl; Do not cover tightly, cover loosely with plastic wrap.
• AMISH FRIENDSHIP BREAD: Mix oil, eggs, and vanilla with the starter mix.
• In a separate bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, vanilla pudding mix, and nuts.
• Add to liquid mixture and stir thoroughly.
• Pour into two large well-greased 9x5 inch loaf pans, or one Bundt pan, that have been sprinkled with a mixture of cinnamon, sugar, and flour.
• Sprinkle more cinnamon and sugar on the tops of the unbaked loaves (or cake). Bake at 325F for one hour or until done.

AMISH FRIENDSHIP BREAD II

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly grease two 9x5 inch loaf pans.
• In a large bowl, stir together Amish Friendship Starter, oil, applesauce, sugar, vanilla, eggs and milk. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Stir into the starter mixture. Mix in the vanilla pudding mix. Fold in the chopped nuts, raisins and dates. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans.
• Bake for 60 minutes in the preheated oven, until a knife inserted comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes in pans before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

QUICK AMISH FRIENDSHIP BREAD OR MUFFINS (NO STARTER REQUIRED)

Steps:

• Mix "starter" ingredients together.
• Mix oil, milk, eggs, and vanilla with the "starter".
• In a separate bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, vanilla pudding mix, and nuts.
• Add to liquid mixture and stir thoroughly.
• Pour into two large well-greased 9x5 inch loaf pans, one Bundt pan, or 48 muffin tins.
• Bake at 325F for one hour or until done (muffins will take only 30-35 minutes) and enjoy!

AMISH FRIENDSHIP BANANA NUT BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease 2 - 9x5 inch loaf pans.
• In a large bowl, mash together the shortening and bananas, then stir in the starter, eggs, milk, sugar, and walnuts. Sift together the baking powder, baking soda, salt, and flour. Fold into the banana mixture. Divide batter evenly into the prepared pans.
• Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Cool loaf until it loosens evenly from the pan, about 10 minutes, before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

SOURDOUGH PANCAKES (AMISH FRIENDSHIP BREAD STARTER)

Steps:

• Beat the egg, then add in wet ingredients.
• Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix well.
• If batter seems too thick, add more milk 1 Tbsp at a time until desired consistency.
• Preheat griddle pan to med-high, spray with non-stick cooking spray and pour batter onto griddle using 1/4 cup of batter per pancake.
• Once pancake looks set around the edges and a few bubbles are coming up thru the middle of the pancake, turn it over and cook another minute or two until done.
• Serve hot with butter.

AMISH FRIENDSHIP CHOCOLATE BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease two 9x5 inch loaf pans.
• In a large mixing bowl, stir together all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, chocolate pudding. Make a well in the center of this mixture. Add Amish friendship bread starter, vegetable oil, milk, eggs and vanilla extract; mix well. Pour batter into prepared loaf pans.
• Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean, about 60 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing from pan.

AMISH FRIENDSHIP BREAD MISCELLANEOUS VARIATIONS

Steps:

• 1. Miscellaneous Variations Apple caramel bread ~ make Friendship Bread with dried apples and caramel instant pudding (makes it like caramel apples). ~~~or~~~ Last night I tried 3/4 cup white chocolate chips, 3/4 cup macadamia nuts and used cheesecake pudding. Delicious!!! ~~~or~~~ Substitute 2 tablespoons molasses for equal amount of sugar and add spices to make gingerbread. ~~~or~~~ throw in a box of chopped dates and a cup of chopped pecans. Then, instead of using two loaf pans, I bake it in a bundt pan. ~~~~or~~~ add 1 cup of drained crushed pineapple, 1 cup shredded coconut and pistachio pudding (instead of vanilla). Very yummy. ~~~or~~~ Great bread (cake) !!!! My neighbor gave me a starter before leaving for vacation... I've gained 5 lbs. but it's worth every bite. I used 1/2 cup nuts and 1/2 cup white raisins; to die for. ~~~or~~~ use 1 small box of orange jello, 1 c. drained mandarin oranges ~~~or~~~ use 1 small box of strawberry jello, 1 c. thawed strawberries. These are very good and I get raving reviews about them . ~~~or~~~ Use Cheesecake pudding instead of vanilla pudding and add chopped maraschino cherries (about 6 with some juice). This tastes great and looks very festive. ~~~or~~~ " butter pecan bread~ omit vanilla pudding and add butter pecan pudding and 1 cup pecans ~~~or~~~ Blue/raspberry bread add 1/2 cup Blueberries and 1/2 cup raspberries ~~~or~~~ add candied fruit mix and walnuts and almonds. The result was a tasty fruitcake."

LEMON POPPY SEED AMISH FRIENDSHIP BREAD

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl blend together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, poppy seeds, and lemon pudding mix. Make a well in the center of the bowl.
• In a separate bowl, mix together the Amish starter, eggs, milk, applesauce, vanilla, and vegetable oil. Add to dry ingredients and blend until just combined. Pour batter into 2 greased loaf pans.
• Bake in a preheated 325 degree F(165 degrees C) oven for one hour. Cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack. Remove bread from pan.

AMISH FRIENDSHIP BREAD

Steps:

• DIRECTIONS TO MAKE THE STARTER: In medium bowl, stir together yeast and warm water until yeast is dissolved. Add buttermilk. Beat in 1 cup flour and 1 cup granulated sugar. Pour mixture into 1-gallon zipper-topped bag; seal bag. Place in cool, dry location for at least 8 hours or up to 10 hours.
• Place starter in refrigerator and store there for Days 2 through 10. Consider this (or the day you receive the starter) as Day 1 of the cycle.
• DIRECTIONS TO ACCOMPANY A STARTER BAG: Day 1: Do nothing. Day 2: Mash bag. Day 3: Mash bag. Day 4: Mash bag. Day 5: Mash bag. Day 6: To bag, add 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup cultured buttermilk; seal bag and mash until mixed. Day 7: Mash bag. Day 8: Mash bag. Day 9: Mash bag. Day 10: Follow directions below: Pour entire bag into nonmetal bowl. Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup cultured buttermilk. Measure out 1 cup of Starter into each of 4 (1-gallon) zipper-topped bags. Keep 1 bag for yourself, and give other bags to 3 friends along with recipe.
• DIRECTIONS TO MAKE TWO LOAVES OF BREAD: Heat oven to 325°F. Spray 2 (9x5-inch) loaf pans with cooking spray. In large bowl, beat contents of 1 bag of Starter, the eggs, butter, buttermilk, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, flour, and pudding mix with whisk until a smooth batter forms.
• Scoop 1 cup batter into small bowl. Add cinnamon; beat with whisk until cinnamon is well mixed into batter. Spoon dollops of cinnamon batter back into large bowl with vanilla batter. With fork, gently swirl vanilla and cinnamon batters together. Don't over mix! Two or three swirls should be enough! Pour batter into pans. Sprinkle top of each loaf with 1 tablespoon granulated sugar.
• Bake 55 to 65 minutes or until bread springs back when touched lightly in center. Cool until bread loosens from sides of pan. Turn breads out onto serving dish or cutting board. Serve and enjoy!

AMISH FRIENDSHIP BREAD BANANA AND ZUCCHINI BREAD VARIATIONS

Steps:

• 1. Use banana cream pie pudding and two mashed bananas. I have also added 1/4 cup of chocolate chip to this on occasion. I use the small bundt pans and bake for about 40 - 50 minutes. ~~~or~~~ For banana walnut bread, I substitute banana cream pudding mix, 1/3 cup chopped walnuts and a mashed banana, and omit the cinnamon. ~~~or~~~ Add 1 cup of grated zucchini. Make sure you squeeze out the excess liquid. bake for about 75 minutes but start checking after 50 minutes.

AMISH FRIENDSHIP BREAD CHOCOLATE BROWNIES

Steps:

• 1. In a bowl, combine and mix well: 1 cup oil 1/2 cup milk 3 eggs 1 tsp vanilla 1 cup Amish Batter * In a separate bowl combine the following dry ingredients and mix well: 2 cups flour 1- 1/2 cups sugar 1-1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 1 - (5.1 oz) box instant chocolate pudding 3 heaping TBS of cocoa 1/2 tsp salt 1 cup pecans or walnuts 1 cup chocolate chips Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Mix and pour into two well greased and sugared bread pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour.

AMISH FRIENDSHIP SPIRITED CAKE STARTER (NOT LIKE THE BREAD)

Steps:

• 1. THE AMISH FRIENDSHIP CAKE initial STARTER RECIPE Day One through day 14 1 cup cubed pineapple (drained) 1 cup sugar 2 tablespoons brandy Combine in a glass gallon jar. Let set it set for two weeks. Cover loosely with aluminum foil with a wooden spoon inserted through the foil to stir daily-DO NOT REMOVE FOIL OR SPOON! Be sure to stir daily. Day 15 Add 1 cup marachino cherries including the juice 1 cup sugar 2 tablespoons brandy. Let set two more weeks, stirring daily. On day 30 Strain the fruit from the juice using a plastic strainer. (DO NOT USE A METAL STRAINER.) The resulting "juice" is the "starter" for your Amish Friendship Cake.
• 2. AMISH FRIENDSHIP CAKE secondary STARTER First we prepare another starter from the starter above. 1-1/2 cups starter (prepared above) 1 large can sliced peaches (with juice) 2-1/2 cups sugar Put peaches & juice in a gallon jar. Stir once a day for 10 days: On the 10th day, add 2- 1/2 cups sugar 1 large can pineapple chunks & juice (Victoria uses a 1 lb - 4oz can). Stir for ten days on the 20th Day, add 2 -1/2 cups sugar 1 - 10 ounce jar Marachino cherries & juice 1 large can fruit cocktail & juice. (Victoria uses a 14-1/2 oz to 15 oz can) Stir daily for ten days on the 30th Day Drain liquid from fruit. Divide the juice into 5-6 jars each containing 1-1/2 cups of juice. Give to friends and keep one for yourself. You friends can now start with the starter you have given them and make the 30-day cake directly. Divide fruit in thirds. You can freeze 2/3 of the fruit to use later. Note: When putting fruit or juice in jars, leave jars on the counter & DO NOT REFRIGERATE!! DO NOT PUT LID ON TIGHT, set it on top of jar - loosely! DO NOT PUT JUICE IN THE REFRIGERATOR!

AMISH FRIENDSHIP BREAD STARTER & BREAD RECIPE

Steps:

• 1. Allow milk to set out to come to room temp. In a 2-4 qt glass bowl, or container, dissolve yeast in warm water. Allow to proof for 10-15 minutes. In another bowl, combine flour and sugar, add to yeast mixture. mix well with a whisk & slowly stir in room temp milk. Cover loosely with a coffee filter, secure with a rubber band. This is day one (1) of the ten (10) day cycle of your starter. Leave starter sit on counter at room temp in a draft free area. Day 1; begin starter or receive fermented starter from a friend Day 2-4 stir with a wooden spoon. Day 5; add 1 cup of each, milk (@ room temp), sugar, & all purpose flour. Days 6-9; stir only. Day 10 again add one cup of each, Milk (@ room temp), sugar, & all purpose flour. Mix in well, leaving no lumps. Then: remove one cup of starter to make your bread, add one cup to a gallon size zip lock bag, do this 3 times to total 3 gallon size bags with one cup of starter. you should have one cup remaining in container for yourself. Give the remaining starters to friends along with this recipe. (This is considered day one again) & repeat the process with remaining cup to keep starter going. (Starter can be stored in refrigerator for future use. If this is done, it is good for up to 2 weeks, then it will need to be fed again to re-start the process.)
• 2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Prepare two (2) 9x5 bread pans by greasing well with non-stick cooking spray. Sprinkle with sugar or cinnamon-sugar mixture. Set aside.
• 3. To Make the Friendship Bread: In a mixer, add 1 cup of fermented starter, vegetable oil (or applesauce), milk, sugar, vanilla, & eggs. Mix well
• 4. In a separate bowl, add flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, & pudding mix (optional). Blend well & add to starter mixture.
• 5. Pour half the mixture in one bread pan, and the other half in second bread pan. Bake @ 325 degrees F for one hour or until cake tester inserted in the middle comes out clean.
• 6. This is what it looks like :) Note: you can divide into 4 small loaves to give as gifts or use for bake sales. My kids love to make and give as Christmas gifts along with a starter to their teachers, friends' parents, or others, for holidays!! You can also add one (1) cup of chopped nuts, raisins, chocolate chips, or your favorite treat to the batter to make it special! :)

AMISH FRIENDSHIP BREAD LEMON VARIATIONS

Steps:

• 1. Use lemon pudding and add 1/4 cup of poppy seeds. I bake these in a very small muffin pan for about 20 - 25 minutes. ~~~~~or~~~~~ For lemon bread, I substitute lemon pudding mix and lemon extract, omit the cinnamon and nuts, and add poppy seeds. ~~~or~~~ Lemon Amish Friendship Bread Use 2 sm. boxes of instant lemon pudding instead on the vanilla pudding, replace poppy seeds for the cinnamon, & use lemon peel instead of the vanilla. Bake for about 1 1/2 hrs. Very Good! ~~~or~~~ I love to make mine with dried pineapple and lemon instant pudding. ~~~or~~~ Lemon-Poppyseed Variation: Use lemon pudding mix instead of vanilla pudding. Add 2-tsp. Lemon extract instead of vanilla. Eliminate cinnamon. Add 1/4 cup poppyseed. ~~~or~~~ Lemon-Poppyseed Friendship Bread Use two small pkgs. of lemon pudding rather than the vanilla and lemon flavoring in place of vanilla flavoring. Add one tablespoon of poppyseed. This is excellent for making lemon-poppyseed muffins. ~~~or~~~ Lemon Coconut - Delete cinnamon, nuts and vanilla. Use lemon flavored pudding, add 1-tsp. lemon extract and 2 cups coconut. ~~~or~~~ Lemon Walnut Friendship Bread: Omit Cinnamon, Vanilla Pudding in basic recipe and add 1 teaspoon lemon extract, 1 package lemon pudding and one cup of chopped walnuts. Umm Umm Good! " ~~~or~~~~ "Lemon pudding and cranberries are my variation to the friendship bread!"

HERMAN STARTER -- FOR AMISH FRIENDSHIP BREAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in water.
• Let stand 10 minutes.
• In a 2 quart container glass, plastic or ceramic container, combine 1 cup flour and 1 cup sugar.
• Mix thoroughly or flour will lump when milk is added.
• Slowly stir in 1 cup milk and dissolved yeast mixture.
• Cover loosely and let stand until bubbly.
• Consider this day 1 of the 10 day cycle.
• Leave loosely covered at room temperature.
• On days 2 thru 4; stir starter with a spoon.
• Day 5; stir in 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk.
• Days 6 thru 9; stir only.
• Day 10; stir in 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk.
• Remove 1 cup to make your first bread, give 2 cups to friends along with this recipe, and your favorite Amish Bread recipe.
• Store the remaining 1 cup starter in a container in the refrigerator, or begin the 10 day process over again (beginning with step 2).