Friendship Starter

DAY 1

Amish Friendship Bread starter. I used to make this bread recipe when I was still living at home. Somone we knew gave us the starter and I would feed it until it was 10 days old and then make the bread. It is quite possibly the best dessert bread you could ever eat. I've had a hankering for it lately, so have decided to start the starter today. I think I'll post the process here, along with the recipe (which can be changed up to suit your whims and taste buds). It's kind of fun, and the reason it's called "Friendship" starter is because when the initial 10 days of feeding are up, you divide the starter with friends who can then feed it for 10 more days and make their own bread recipe. So....here goes!

Day 1: In a small bowl dissolve 1/4 c. warm water with 2 tsp. yeast. Allow to sit for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, mix 1 cup flour with 1 cup granulated sugar in a 2 qt. glass, plastic or ceramic bowl (it has been said that this recipe does not work if you use metal bowls or spoons during the starter process). Mix the flour and sugar well so the flour does not lump when you add 1 cup of milk. Stir in yeast mixture. Cover loosely with a lid (the air needs to be able to get to the starter) and put it aside for the remainder of the day (DO NOT PUT IN THE REFRIGERATOR).
Days 2-4: Stir with a wooden or plastic spoon and set aside again.
Day 5: Stir in 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk. Set aside
Days 6-9: Stir with a wooden or plastic spoon and set aside.
Day 10: Stir in 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup milk. Remove 1 cup of starter to make your first bread, give 2 cups to friends (put it in a ziplock baggy or disposable bowl) along with a bread recipe and this recipe (this will be Day 2 for them). Store the remaining 1 cup of starter in a container in the refrigerator, or begin the 10 day process over again beginning with Day 2.

AMISH FRIENDSHIP BREAD RECIPE

1 C. starter 1 C. oil (or 1/2 c. oil and 1/2 c. applesauce) 1/2 c. milk

3 eggs 2 tsp. cinnamon 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. vanilla 1/2 tsp. baking soda 2 C. flour

1 C. sugar 1 (5 oz.) or 2 (3 oz.) pkgs. inst. van. pudding 1/2 tsp. salt

Mix ingredients together in a large bowl. Pour into 1 large (or 2 smaller) well-greased loaf pans. Bake at 325 for 1 hour. Test with a toothpick or knife to make sure it's done. Turn bread out onto a cooling rack. Enjoy!