Amish Friendship Bread

This was actually passed around my office for a few weeks, but I don't think we really kept it going. It was pretty tasty. Here are the instructions to pass along with the dough.

Do not use any type of metal spoon or bowl for mixing. Do not refrigerate. If air gets in the bag, let it out. It is normal for the batter to rise, and ferment.

Date: [mark the date so they can count it]

• Day 1 – Do nothing, this is the day you receive the batter
• Day 2 - Must the bag
• Day 3 - Must the bag
• Day 4 - Must the bag
• Day 5 - Must the bag
• Day 6 - Add to the bag: 1 c flour, 1 c sugar, 1 c milk. Mush the bag to mix.
• Day 7 - Mush the bag
• Day 8 - Mush the bag
• Day 9 - Mush the bag
• Day 10 - Mush the bag and follow directions below.

1. Pour contents of bag into a glass or plastic bowl; add 1 ½ c flour, 1 ½ c sugar, 1 ½ c milk. Mix well then measure out 4 separate batters of 1 cup each and put into gallon ziplock bags. Keep one bag for yourself, and give the other 3 to friends along with a copy of this recipe.


2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. To the remaining batter in the bowl, (approx. 1 ½ to 2 cups left) add:
   
   
   
   • 3 eggs
   
   
   • ½ tsp baking soda
   
   
   • 1 cup sugar
   
   
   • 1 large instant vanilla or chocolate pudding
   
   
   • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
   
   
   • ½ cup milk
   
   
   • 2 cups flour
   
   
   • ½ tsp vanilla
   
   
   • 1 cup oil
   
   
   • ½ tsp salt
   
   
   • 2 tsp cinnamon

1. Grease 2 large loaf pans or pan for 2 dozen muffins. Mix ½ cup sugar and 1 ½ tsp cinnamon. Dust the loaf pans with half of this mixture. Pour the batter evenly into the pans and sprinkle the remaining sugar mixture over the batter.
2. Bake 45 minutes to 1 hour for loaves and 30 minutes for muffins. Cool until bread loosens from the pan evenly and turn onto a serving dish. Serve warm or cold.

Options: add one cup chopped nuts or raisins.

Should the recipe not be passed onto a friend on the 10^th day, be certain to tell the recipient which day the batter is at when presented to them.

Note: The datelines above can be used to help keep track of the date or day you are at. If you keep the starter for yourself, you will be baking every 10 days. The bread is very good and makes a great gift. Only the Amish know how to make the starter, so if you give them all away, you will not be able to start one.