Amish Friendship Sourdough Cinnamon Bread
This cherished Amish Friendship Sourdough Cinnamon Bread recipe features a delightful starter that not only allows you to make this delicious bread but also provides an opportunity to share with friends and family. With a rich history, this starter facilitates a bubbling fermentation process that imparts a unique flavor to your bread. Perfect for gatherings, this sweet and spiced loaf is ideal for breakfast or as a snack. Follow these detailed instructions carefully for an unforgettable baking experience, and remember, good things take time! Enjoy the warmth, texture, and taste of homemade bread with your loved ones.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
20
Ingredients
Ingredients
Active dry yeast
1 (1/4-ounce) package (Dissolve in warm water)
Warm water
1/4 cup (110°F/45°C)
All-purpose flour
1 cup (Sifted, for starter)
White sugar
1 cup (For starter)
Warm milk
1 cup (For starter)
Eggs
3 (Beaten)
Oil
1 cup (Vegetable oil or similar)
Milk
1/2 cup (For the batter)
Sugar
1 cup (For the batter)
Cinnamon
2 teaspoons (For the batter)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (For the batter)
Baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons (For the batter)
Baking soda
1/2 teaspoon (For the batter)
Vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon (For the batter)
Plain flour
2 cups (For the batter)
Instant vanilla pudding mix
1 (5 1/8 ounce) box (For the batter)
Raisins
1 cup (Optional)
Chopped nuts
1 cup (Optional)
Sugar
1/2 cup (For topping)
Cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons (For topping)
Instructions
1
Day 1: Start the starter by dissolving the package of active dry yeast in 1/4 cup warm water (110°F/45°C) and let it stand for about 10 minutes to activate.
2
In a 2-quart glass or plastic container, combine 1 cup of sifted all-purpose flour and 1 cup of white sugar. Mix well to avoid lumps when adding milk.
3
Slowly stir in 1 cup of warm milk and the dissolved yeast mixture. Loosely cover the container with a lid or plastic wrap. Your mixture will start bubbling as it ferments.
4
For the next 10 days, handle your starter according to the schedule below:
5
Day 2: Gently mush the bag.
6
Day 3: Gently mush the bag.
7
Day 4: Gently mush the bag.
8
Day 5: Gently mush the bag.
9
Day 6: Add 1 cup plain flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk. Mix well.
10
Day 7: Gently mush the bag.
11
Day 8: Gently mush the bag.
12
Day 9: Gently mush the bag.
13
Day 10: To prepare the bread, pour the entire contents of your starter bag into a large bowl (not metal).
14
Add 1 1/2 cups plain flour, 1 1/2 cups sugar, and 1 1/2 cups milk to the mixture and mix until well combined.
15
Label four ziplock bags with the date and 'Day 1' and fill each bag with 1 cup of the batter (these are starter bags to give away). If you choose not to keep one for yourself, you will need to wait for someone to share a starter with you.
16
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
17
Grease the bottom and sides of two large loaf pans with butter or non-stick spray.
18
Dust the insides of each pan with a mixture of flour and sugar, coating the sides and bottom well.
19
Pour the remaining batter evenly into the two greased loaf pans, then sprinkle any remaining dusting mix on top of the batter.
20
Bake for approximately 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, allow the bread to cool in the pans until it loosens easily before turning it out onto a serving dish or wire rack.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Amish Friendship Sourdough Cinnamon Bread?
It is a sweet and spiced loaf featuring a unique fermented starter that is shared among friends and family over a ten-day cycle.
How do you activate the yeast for the starter?
Dissolve one package of active dry yeast in 1/4 cup of warm water (110°F/45°C) and let it stand for 10 minutes.
What are the initial ingredients for the Day 1 starter?
Mix 1 cup of sifted all-purpose flour, 1 cup of white sugar, 1 cup of warm milk, and the activated yeast mixture.
What type of container should be used for the starter?
Use a 2-quart glass or plastic container; avoid using metal as it can interfere with the fermentation.
What is the maintenance routine for Days 2 through 5?
Gently mush the bag each day to ensure the ingredients are mixed.
What ingredients are added to the starter on Day 6?
Add 1 cup of plain flour, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 cup of milk to the starter mixture.
What is the schedule for Days 7, 8, and 9?
Continue to gently mush the bag once a day during these days.
How do you prepare the bread batter on Day 10?
Pour the starter into a non-metal bowl and mix with 1 1/2 cups each of plain flour, sugar, and milk before dividing into bags.
How many giveaway bags are created from the starter?
The recipe produces four giveaway bags to share with friends.
How much starter batter should be placed in each giveaway bag?
Each ziplock bag should be filled with 1 cup of the batter mixture.
How should the giveaway bags be labeled?
Label each bag with the current date and 'Day 1' for the next recipient.
What is the required oven temperature for baking?
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
How should the loaf pans be prepared?
Grease two large loaf pans with butter or spray and dust them thoroughly with a mixture of flour and sugar.
How many loaves of bread does this recipe yield?
The recipe makes two large loaves of cinnamon bread.
How long does the bread need to bake?
The bread should bake for approximately 1 hour.
How can you tell if the bread is finished baking?
The bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
How many eggs are required for the bread batter?
The recipe calls for 3 beaten eggs.
What kind of oil is used in this recipe?
Use 1 cup of vegetable oil or a similar neutral oil.
Is milk used in the final bread batter?
Yes, the batter requires 1/2 cup of milk.
How much cinnamon is added to the batter?
The bread batter includes 2 teaspoons of cinnamon.
What type of pudding mix is used?
Use one 5 1/8 ounce box of instant vanilla pudding mix.
What leavening agents are needed for the batter?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.
How much vanilla extract is included?
The recipe requires 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
What are the optional ingredients for this bread?
You can optionally add 1 cup of raisins and 1 cup of chopped nuts.
What is used as the topping for the loaves?
A mixture of 1/2 cup sugar and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon is sprinkled on top before baking.
Why should you avoid using metal bowls for the starter?
Metal can react with the fermenting yeast culture; glass or plastic is preferred.
Can I make this bread if I do not have a gift starter?
Yes, you can create your own starter beginning with the Day 1 instructions using yeast, flour, sugar, and milk.
When should the bread be removed from the pans?
Allow the bread to cool in the pans until it loosens easily before turning it out onto a rack.
What kind of flour is used for the starter?
The starter uses 1 cup of sifted all-purpose flour.
What should you do if you choose not to keep a starter for yourself?
You would give all the bags away and wait for someone to share a starter with you again in the future.