Beginning an Amish Friendship Bread

The weekend of Easter, a friend gave me an Amish Friendship Bread starter, along with the instructions.  I found the starter to smell a little peculiar, but had heard positive comments about how good it tasted so I decided to give it a shot.

The first starter I received look like this one, except it said “8th” on it so I asked what “8th” meant.  I wasn’t sure if this meant that the starter was on its 8th day in the cycle or if it was started on April 8th.  I found out it was started on April 8th.  To avoid any confusion with my starters, I decided it was a good idea to write the necessary dates on them.

Once you receive a starter, it will take 10 days to complete the process until you’re ready to bake your bread.  I’ve heard comments from people that say, “I don’t have time for that stuff” or “I’d mess it up”.  Actually, it’s pretty easy to do.  (I do understand being busy though!) Days 1-5 you simply mush up your bag.  On day 6 you add some flour, sugar, and milk and mush it up.  Days 7-9 you mush up your bag.  Day 10 you add ingredients, pour out 4 starters, add ingredients to your remaining batter and bake. 

The bread really is quite yummy.  While it was baking, my kids kept asking what the good smell was.  The first time I made the bread I was at my mom and dad’s house.  The batter makes two large loaves of bread, but I decided to make one large loaf fo my family and four mini loaves for my parents and for them to share with friends and neighbors.  I took my loaf home with me and my mom later told me that the bread was so good that she decided to keep it.  lol

Once you bake the bread, you’re left with four starters.  Sometimes it is difficult to find four people that want the starters, but I was pleased to find out that you can freeze them.  I stuck one in my mom’s freezer while I was there and I’ll be keeping one or two this time so that I don’t run out.

I’m on my second round with this bread and will be cooking it tomorrow.  I’ll be sure to take pictures this time to share and I’ll post the recipe for you too.

Have you ever made the Amish Friendship Bread?

image by Karen Weideman