Amish Friendship Bread Starter Recipe: A Detailed Guide for Sharing Homemade Bread
Creating an Amish Friendship Bread Starter is a beautiful way to enjoy homemade bread while sharing the joy with friends. The process involves cultivating a fermented starter that you can divide and pass along. This guide walks you through the steps for making the starter over a 10-day period, leading up to delicious Amish Friendship Bread.
For those looking to explore more delicious baked goods, you might enjoy pairing this bread with other classic recipes like these Pumpkin Banana Loaves, which also offer comforting flavors.
If you’re a fan of traditional baking, you may also want to try recipes like these Earl Grey Cookies for a perfect tea-time treat to go alongside your freshly baked bread.
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup warm water (110°F)
- 1 package active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
Instructions:
Day 1:
- Activate the Yeast
- In a small bowl, combine warm water and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- Prepare the Starter Base
- In a large non-metal bowl (glass, ceramic, or plastic), whisk together all-purpose flour and granulated sugar. Gradually stir in the milk and yeast mixture using a non-metal spoon until smooth.
- Ferment the Starter
- Cover the bowl loosely with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it sit at room temperature (68°F – 72°F) for 24 hours.
- Transfer to a Bag
- After 24 hours, pour the mixture into a large ziplock bag, making it easier to manage and share later.
Days 2-4:
- Mash the Bag
- Each day, mash or knead the bag without opening it to keep the ingredients well-mixed.
Day 5:
- Feed the Starter
- Open the bag and add 1 cup each of all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and milk. Reseal the bag and mash it to combine.
Days 6-9:
- Mash the Bag Daily
- Continue mashing the bag once a day to keep the starter active.
Day 10:
- Final Feeding and Dividing the Starter
- Pour the contents of the bag into a large non-metal bowl. Add 1 cup each of all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and milk. Stir until smooth.
- Divide the Starter
- Divide the starter into four 1-cup portions. Place each portion in a ziplock bag. Keep one for yourself and share the others with friends along with instructions for maintaining the starter.
Important Notes:
- The starter will develop a tangy, sour smell over time, similar to sourdough. This is completely normal.
- Ensure you provide instructions for days 1-10 when sharing the starter with friends, so they can bake their own Amish Friendship Bread.
For more ideas on how to use your starter or explore other classic bread recipes, check out this versatile sourdough bread guide and expand your home-baking skills.
By following these steps, you can create and share a delicious starter that brings the joy of baking into your home and the homes of those you care about. Enjoy!
