Amish Friendship Bread

It feels very much like Fall here in Upstate SC. That makes me think of baked goods, cinnamon and nutmeg, hot tea or hazelnut coffee, yummy smelling candles and snuggling up in a blanket in my rocking chair. I've pulled out a recipe from an old church cook book to fulfill some of those cravings. I hope you enjoy it, too!

Amish Friendship Bread
Courtesy of Ladies of Cornerstone Bible Fellowship, Mesa, AZ

Starter:
Mix 1 pkg. dry yeast, 2 c. flour, 2 c. milk and 2 c. sugar. Let sit overnight, uncovered, in a warm place. Put half in a gallon zipper bag as Day 1 Starter, use rest as Day 10 recipe. It's very helpful to write the Day 1 date on your bag and have a calendar handy with instructions for each day.

Day 1: do nothing.

Days 2, 3, 4, 5: Mush the bag several times each day.

Day 6: Add 1 c. each of sugar, flour and milk, mushing bag. It may be lumpy.

Days 7, 8, 9: Mush bag several times each day.

Day 10: Add 1 c. each of sugar, flour and milk. Stir and pour out 4-one cup starters into gallon zipper bags. Give away 3, keep 1 for your own starter as Day 1. Remember to write the date on the bags you give away and include instructions.

I keep my starter bag in a bowl on my countertop

Recipe:
Mix together in large bowl, along with remaining starter from bag:
1 c. vegetable oil
1/2 c. milk
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
Add:
2 c. flour
1 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 c. chopped pecans, optional
1 lg. vanilla instant pudding

Mix thoroughly. Pour into 2 lg. greased and sugared loaf pans, or 4 sm. ones. You can also sprinkle cinnamon and/or nutmeg into pans. Fill pans only 2/3 full. Bake 325 degrees for 1 1/2 hours. Variations: Use other flavors instant pudding--it does change the flavor. Substitute applesauce, mashed bananas or yogurt for oil. Add orange zest or change the spices and nuts to your liking.