Amish friendship bread
Most Americans have heard about the Amish community. They are a religious group living in the U.S. Their lives are centered around their Christian beliefs, family, humility and their separation from the rest of society. The way they dress and live is dictated by their church. Still, the people outside of the community respect the simple aspects of their lives. People especially love the wholesome quality of their foods. There are many popular bread recipes that are used by "outsiders," such as hillbilly bread, angel biscuits and their basic breads. However, the most popular is the Amish friendship bread. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Instructions
1. Receive the Amish friendship bread starter from a friend. Before you have finished making your bread, you will have starter to give away to other friends. You can, however, make your own starter (see Resources).
2. Stir the starter once on the second, third and fourth days after receiving it. Add 1 cup each milk, flour and white sugar, and stir, on the fifth day. Stir the starter once on days six, seven, eight and nine. On day 10, add 1 cup each milk, flour and white sugar. Divide the mixture into four (nonmetal) containers of 1 cup each. Give three of the containers, with instructions and the recipe, to three friends and keep one container for your own bread.
3. Mix together 2 cups flour, 1 cup sugar, 1¼ tsp. baking powder, ½ tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. cinnamon and ½ tsp. salt.
4. Combine the bread starter, 2/3 cup oil, three beaten eggs and 1 tsp. vanilla in a separate nonmetal bowl. Mix with a plastic spoon, as metal reacts adversely with the starter.
5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix, until the mixture is well blended.
6. Rub oil on the inside of two loaf pans and sprinkle them with sugar. Divide the bread batter between the loaf pans.
7. Bake the Amish friendship bread in a preheated 325 degree F oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Check the doneness by poking a toothpick in the center of the bread. If it comes out clean, the bread is done.
8. Remove the bread from the loaf pans and cool.
Tags: Amish friendship, Amish friendship bread, friendship bread, loaf pans, bread starter, each milk