Tender Amish Friendship Loaf
This delicious Tender Amish Friendship Loaf is a cherished recipe that captures the essence of community and sharing. Made from a unique starter, this quick bread is moist, flavorful, and perfect for breakfast or as a delightful snack. The recipe allows you to create a delightful bread while sharing the joy of baking with friends by giving away portions of the starter. Infused with warm cinnamon and richness from nuts, it's a great way to embrace tradition while creating lasting memories in your kitchen. Enjoy this scrumptious bread with a cup of tea or gift it to loved ones!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
sugar
3 cups (divided)
milk
3 cups (divided)
flour
3 cups (divided)
oil
1 cup
milk
1/2 cup
whole eggs
3 (beaten)
vanilla extract
1 teaspoon
flour
2 cups
sugar
1 cup
baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons
cinnamon
2 teaspoons
salt
1/2 teaspoon
baking soda
1/2 teaspoon
instant vanilla pudding
1 (5 1/8 ounce) box
chopped nuts
1 cup
cinnamon-sugar mixture
1 tablespoon cinnamon + 1/2 cup sugar (combined for topping)
Instructions
1
To create your starter, combine 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of milk, and 1 cup of flour in a large glass or plastic bowl.
2
Cover the mixture loosely with plastic wrap and allow it to sit at room temperature for 17 days, stirring gently each day with a wooden spoon.
3
On day 18, do not stir or add anything to the mixture.
4
From days 19 to 21, stir the starter once daily.
5
On day 22, add 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of milk, and 1 cup of flour to the starter and stir thoroughly.
6
Continue stirring the mixture from days 23 to 26, once each day.
7
On day 27, add 1 cup of milk, 1 cup of flour, and 1 cup of sugar, and mix well.
8
Your starter is now ready! You may give away 2 cups of the starter to friends while keeping 1 cup for yourself to maintain the cycle.
9
Be sure to share these starter care instructions with your friends: Do not refrigerate the starter, avoid using metal spoons or bowls, and cover loosely with plastic wrap.
10
To bake the bread, preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
11
In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of the starter with 1 cup of oil, 3 whole eggs, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
12
In another bowl, whisk together the 2 cups of flour, 1 cup of sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, vanilla pudding mix, and chopped nuts until well combined.
13
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the liquid mixture, stirring until fully incorporated.
14
Prepare two well-greased 9x5 inch loaf pans or one Bundt pan by sprinkling them with a mixture of cinnamon, sugar, and flour.
15
Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans, then sprinkle more cinnamon and sugar on top of each loaf or cake.
16
Bake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tender Amish Friendship Loaf?
It is a cherished recipe for a moist and flavorful quick bread made from a unique starter, often shared among friends and community members.
How do I create the initial starter for the bread?
Combine 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of milk, and 1 cup of flour in a large glass or plastic bowl.
How long does the starter need to sit at room temperature?
The starter should sit for 17 days, being stirred gently each day with a wooden spoon.
What should I do with the starter on day 18?
On day 18, do not stir or add any ingredients to the mixture.
What is the process for days 19 through 21?
During these days, you should stir the starter once daily.
What do I add to the starter on day 22?
On day 22, add 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of milk, and 1 cup of flour and stir the mixture thoroughly.
What is the routine for days 23 through 26?
Continue to stir the mixture once each day.
What happens on day 27 of the starter cycle?
Add 1 cup of milk, 1 cup of flour, and 1 cup of sugar, and mix the starter well.
How much starter should I keep for myself?
You should keep 1 cup of the starter for yourself to maintain the baking cycle.
How many portions of starter can I give away?
You can give away 2 cups of the starter to friends.
What are the three main rules for caring for the starter?
Do not refrigerate the starter, avoid using metal spoons or bowls, and keep it covered loosely with plastic wrap.
What temperature should the oven be for baking the loaf?
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
Which liquid ingredients are combined with the starter for baking?
Combine 1 cup of starter with 1 cup of oil, 3 whole eggs, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
What dry ingredients are needed for the bread batter?
The batter requires 2 cups of flour, 1 cup of sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, vanilla pudding mix, and chopped nuts.
What type of pudding mix is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for one 5 1/8 ounce box of instant vanilla pudding mix.
How should the dry and liquid ingredients be mixed?
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the liquid mixture and stir until they are fully incorporated.
What type of pans can I use for this recipe?
You can use two well-greased 9x5 inch loaf pans or one Bundt pan.
How should I prepare the baking pans?
Grease the pans and sprinkle them with a mixture of cinnamon, sugar, and flour.
Do I add any topping to the batter before baking?
Yes, sprinkle a mixture of cinnamon and sugar on top of each loaf or cake before placing it in the oven.
How long does the Tender Amish Friendship Loaf take to bake?
Bake the bread for about 1 hour.
How do I check if the bread is fully cooked?
Insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf; it is done if the toothpick comes out clean.
Should the bread be sliced immediately after baking?
No, you should allow the bread to cool before slicing and serving.
What is the texture of this bread?
The bread is described as moist and tender.
Are there nuts in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe includes 1 cup of chopped nuts.
What spices give the loaf its flavor?
The loaf is flavored with cinnamon and vanilla extract.
Can I use metal bowls for the starter?
No, you should only use glass or plastic bowls for the starter.
Is it okay to use a metal spoon for stirring?
No, a wooden spoon is recommended for stirring the starter.
What is the serving suggestion for this bread?
It is delicious when enjoyed with a cup of tea or served as a snack.
How much milk is used in total for the starter process?
A total of 3 cups of milk is used for the starter (1 cup initially and 1 cup each on days 22 and 27).
Why is this called Friendship Loaf?
It is named for the tradition of sharing portions of the starter with friends to keep the baking cycle going within a community.