Image (c) Friendship Bread Kitchen
“If you haven’t received a bag of Amish Friendship Bread starter but would like to make the bread, this is the recipe for starting your starter.”
>> Need an Amish Friendship Bread Primer with the ten day instructions? Go here!
Ingredients (click to print)
1 (0.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (110° F/45° C)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 cup milk
Directions
- In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Let stand 10 minutes.
- In a 2-quart glass, plastic or ceramic container, combine 1 cup flour and 1 cup sugar. Mix thoroughly with a whisk or fork.
- Slowly stir in 1 cup milk and dissolved yeast mixture.
- Cover loosely and let stand at room temperature until bubbly. Consider this day 1 of the 10 day cycle. For the next 10 days handle starter according to the instructions for Amish Friendship Bread.
Kitchen Notes
The starter should be left at room temperature. Drape loosely with dish towel or plastic wrap. Do not use metal utensils or bowls. If using a sealed Ziploc bag, be sure to let the air out if the bag gets too puffy.
Also, when you make a starter from scratch, you can sometimes end up with a much greater yield than 4 cups depending on the temperature of your kitchen and eagerness of your starter! If this happens, reserve one cup for baking and divide the remaining batter into Ziploc baggies of 1 cup each to freeze or share with friends.
For instructions and the recipe for Amish Friendship Bread, click here.
Nutritional Information
Approximate nutritional information, per cup: 600 calories, 4 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 10 mg cholesterol, 50 mg sodium, 133 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 92 g sugar, 9 g protein
Nutritional analyses by Joannie Dobbs, Ph.D., C.N.S.
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I love this stuff haven’t had any in a couple of years so glad I can make my own starter I hope it works for me.
I haven’t had it for over 8 yrs now could never find anyone who had it glad i have it now.
Keep us posted, Jayme and Cherie! I’m glad you found us!
Darien:
Thank you so much for posting this! My wife is gonna kill me, but I just printed off the starter recipe, and am on my way out the door to get some ziploc gallon bags, all purpose flour, and some Fleichmann’s yeast!!! We had an assembly line going about three yrs ago, and everyone has been asking since, why I haven’t made any more bread. Sue (wife), absolutely put her foot down the next Christmas season, as we were leaving the state and going up North for Christmas, so there wasn’t much of a defense to be made. But we’re going to be home this year for Christmas, and I am determined to start this all over again. I printed off the recipe for the bread as well. I wonder, where can I find the recipe for the Amish Pumpkin Spice friendship bread? When I was trying to find this, I had pumpkin on my mind, wondering how I could concoct it. Thanks again, and I look forward to receiving your letters! Augusta, Ga. is going to have some Amish Friendship Bread, this Christmas!!!
That is great! We can’t wait to hear more about your baking adventures.
Here is the direct link to the Pumpkin Spice Amish Friendship Bread http://www.friendshipbreadkitchen.com/pantry/pumpkin-spice-amish-friendship-bread
Happy Baking and Merry Christmas!
Susan
FBKitchen Assistant
Fleischmann’s yeast? I’ve baked bread for most of my nearly 36-year marriage, and Red Star yeast (if you can get it) is much better!
I just ordered my book and I am a newbie here. I am so excited I can’t wait to begin my new baking adventure. I think I will start with Sour dough. Wheeeeee!!!
Betty
I remember my Mom doing this when I was a kid. I’ve always wanted to do it as an adult. My only question do I make the starter for friends too and supply the starter kit with the recipe? Any help would be greatly appreciated. This is better than chain letters.
Anne, visit our Amish Friendship Bread primer for more details on how to maintain and gift the bread and starter: http://www.friendshipbreadkitchen.com/amish-friendship-bread. But in short, yes, you pass along a bag of starter with (ideally) a few slices of the bread or a mini loaf and the instructions. It’s a culinary chain letter without the negative consequences!
Im starting this for the first time in many yrs…begining the starter, I too want to give my niece in chicago a starter too, so it goes into plastic bags? I hope this works, the recipes all sound so yummy, I love chocolate, and those chocolate recipes sound so good, wish me luck as I make some for my dear sweet neighbor lady, shes been a really good neighbor since we’ve moved here almost a yr ago, I know she will love these..hugs,
It goes in a Ziploc bag, Kathy! But if you’re going to ship it by mail, be warned that the baggie may expand a lot so make sure all the air is out when you seal the bag and put it in another bag to be safe! Also, do not ship it a day or two after you’ve fed it, when the yeast is most active. Catch it during a quiet period, like day 4 or 5, and then have her feed it as soon as she receives it. Have fun with it, Kathy!
what is the 10 day cycle ? what does it entail doing for 10 days ? you leave this at room temperature for 10 days, the starter mixture ?
Carol, go to our Amish Friendship Bread 101 page! And yes, you leave it at room temperature for 10 days, like all sourdough starters, but you need to add ingredients on Day 6 and Day 10. http://www.friendshipbreadkitchen.com/amish-friendship-bread
Going to start some today, love the variety of recipes you’ve assembled for us.
Would love to hear about what you end up baking! Keep us posted!
I have been looking for this starter recipe for about 10 years now and I am so happy to finally find it. Thanks
You’re welcome, Janey!
i would really like to give this a try, i’ve had this a long time ago
Have fun with it, Janet, and let us know what you end up doing!
Can this starter be made gluten free??
Hi Dawn! Yes, just replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour of choice (or use Bob’s Red Mill GF general purpose flour). We have a gluten-free/vegan recipe in the Recipe Box but would love more (hint, hint!).
COULD YOU PLEASE SEND ME THE REST OF THE INSTRUCTIONS, WHERE YOU ADD TO ON CERTAIN DAYS NEAD ON CERTAIN DAYS, ETC….I HAD IT SOMETIME AGO AND HAVE MISPLACED IT, THANK YOU
Kayla, here is the link for the instructions: http://www.friendshipbreadkitchen.com/amish-friendship-bread
Is there a “yeast-free” version of Friendship Bread?
Hi Brenda
Yes the starter recipe does include yeast. You can leave out the commercially packaged yeast but your starter will pick up natural yeast from the air. That yeast is what causes the ingredients to ferment to give it the sourdough qualities.
Does this help? Have a great day.
I am so glad to get the starter recipe again. I have received the starter before and love the bread. Have made different ones and am happy to get this so I can get started again. Thanks.
You’re welcome, Nancy!
Can’t wait to “start” it~Been along time since I have had the “starter”.
Welcome to the Kitchen, Judie! Glad to have you with us!
I have searched for this recipe for years thank you
You’re welcome, Regina!
Love Friendship Bread and haven’t had it in years so was delighted to find this page. Can you tell me if there are variations to just the standard bread? Would love to mix other things in but I’m not a brave soul when it comes to cooking! (And my son is an Executive Chef…he learned to cook as self-defense!!!)
Nola, our Recipe Box is filled with over 100 Amish Friendship Bread recipes! Have fun!
have been waiting for some-one to start these and give me a starter!!!!!!!
can’t wait to bake
i ALSO NEED DIRECTIONS LIKE WHAT TO ADD AND WHEN. THANKS
Kathy, we have the recipe in our Recipe Box or go to “What is Amish Friendship Bread” for the full instructions and recipes!
I have a question, can I store my starter in a glass jar? is there a reason it must be moved to a plastic bag?
Hi Amy! Yes, you can absolutely store it in a glass jar — the instructions (and no one knows for sure who started the whole phenomenon) says Ziploc bags and we’ve found it’s easier to mash and gift, but diehard Amish Friendship Bread and sourdough chefs prefer glass containers. Thanks for your question!
Can’t wait to start this… always wanted to make my own starter… :~)
Have fun with it, Beccie! And thanks for joining us in the Kitchen!
you gave the recipe but what is the 10 days after you make it I made this years ago and it was delicious my kids would devour the whole loaf in one sitting I now that on certain days you add things and on certain days u stir or let it rest but not sure what day is what could u please share I would love to make this again thank u
Hi Gayle! Please check out our AFB 101 page for the full instructions and basic recipe: http://www.friendshipbreadkitchen.com/amish-friendship-bread. You can also check out our recipe box which has over 100 Amish Friendship Bread variations. Thanks and enjoy!
Like most writers, I did this years ago and then lost my starter. Have tried several times to ‘start the starter’ but had no luck. Thankfully I found you. My kids will be so happy and I do not have to drive 164 miles to get bread now. lol
That is awesome, Carrol! It is so easy to start with the recipe! Let us know if you have any questions along the way! Stop over at the Kitchen Table Forum!
I have made this for several years but I have a problem with using ziplock bags cause as the product is fermenting I had started to notice ghnats around my bags. And before long my house had too many. Apparently they could smell the dough fermenting and were attracted to it. I have had to use jars or other containers to make my mix. I will not stop making the bread but just was wondering if any one else had a similar situation.
Wow! I personally haven’t had that problem but I’m sure they were smelling the sugar! lol
Post this over at the forums- Kitchen Table and see if others have had this! http://www.friendshipbreadkitchen.com/kitchen-table?mingleforumaction=viewforum&f=1.0
If you will fill a rose vase 1/3rd of the way with apple cider vinegar and set it beside the bags of starter, the gnats will go into the vase and drown. They are drawn to the smell of the vinegar. Good luck!
Yesssss! I lost this recipe & instructions several years ago!! Here it is and all the other goodies! It is absolutely delish & you can get creative with it!! Wheee!! Glad I found you!! :O)
Can’t wait to hear what you bake! Stop over and leave any questions at the forum, Kitchen Table! http://www.friendshipbreadkitchen.com/kitchen-table
I understand the starter prep, but having trouble with step 4. It says to follow amish friendship bread 10 day instructions. So, what is done for each day of the 10 days? Help
Hi! Gay Bast welcome to The Kitchen!
Great question! Here is the link with the very easy daily instructions and they are printable! http://www.friendshipbreadkitchen.com/amish-friendship-bread that will give you all the steps! Sorry for any confusion!
If you still need help, just ask!
I havae not heard of this bread before but very anxious to make it for the first time….
Hi Betty!
Welcome to FB Kitchen!! So exciting to start your first Starter! Just follow the directions!
IF you have any questions along the way, stop over at the Forum Kitchen Table and let us know how it is going!
I haven’t had this in a very long time. I love it and the sharing of the bread is a way to keep the love going.
I also had not ever thought of all of the variations to it. I cant wait to try them all.
Oh, thank u so much. I made friendship bread a few times. Getting the starter here, I can make some bread and share with the ladies here at my apartment community. How do u prevent the mixture from blowing up. I had to stop when that happened. Thanks again.
Hi Rena! Welcome to the FBKitchen! Are you referring to the starter overflowing? If so, just make sure you leave the ziplock bag slightly open or loosen the lid of your container. You had one happy starter if it blew up like that!
Stop over at the Forum “Kitchen Table” and feel free to share and ask more questions!
Love this !!! Amish Friendship Bread
I have been looking for this thanks a bunch.I was born in Ephtra ,Pa.
Great Sharmane! Welcome to the Kitchen! Stop on over at the Kitchen Table Forum and let us know what you plan to bake or any questions that you might have!
Thanks have been looking for this friendship bread starter
Hi Connie! Welcome to the Kitchen! So happy that you found us! Can’t wait to hear what you bake! If you have questions let us know in the Kitchen Table Forum!
So glad I could find this again.
Welcome to the Kitchen, Michelle!!
I have two bags of starter. One I will be baking with today. I already made another girl the starter from scratch and I have my new book from Darien…I drove one hour to Barnes and Nobels to buy it. Now just to find a few quiet moments to read. Dont’ just share your bread but your prayers also for those like Japan. Wish we could send them bread. GOD bless…Sheryl
That is great, Sheryl! Make sure share with the Kitchen as to what you baked! Head on over to the Kitchen Table and leave a message in the forum!!
Happy reading!!
I just love the Amish Friendship Bread….my friends and I really enjoy it…..Thank you for printing and haveing the starter recipe for it….now if I ever stop make it for a while and can’t find anyone that has it I can now make my own…..Thank you
HI! I’m so glad to stop by here and found your recipe! I remembered my mom used to make those all the time and love the smell! OK, my Question is… how can it stand the room temp? My kitchen always cool /chilly than other rooms.. so I wasn’t sure if it can stand cool/chilly room .. Thanks and your site is wonderful!!
Hi Debra!
Welcome to the Kitchen!!
Great question. Yes you just leave your starter out on the counter! There are a lot of tips on how to keep your starter warm on the FAQ page…I’ll send you there and if you have more questions, stop in and post them in the Kitchen Table forum…. http://www.friendshipbreadkitchen.com/kitchen-table/faqs
i have made friendship bread for years and the recipe i have does not have the yeast in it and has always been delicious, just wonder what the difference is??
HI Vicki!
Some people leave out the commercial yeast but your starter will still have yeast! There is yeast in the air and it finds its way into your starter!
*Happy Baking* and keep us updated on how thing are going! Stop in at the Kitchen Table Forum!
Thank you for sharing this recipe a while back I tried this at a friends home and she was to give me some of the mix but it never happened. So now I can start my own mix to pass around tks so much!
Linda
My daughter was just asking me to see if I could get a bag of this from a friend that had starters now she’ll be able to make her self .. This is the best bread i’ve had in years
That is wonderful Kelly!!! We can’t wait to hear what you both bake!!!
This is what I was looking for…..thanks!
I use to make this all the time. but when I made mine I used a glass bowl and stired it with a wooden spoon. Can I see use a glass bowl and wooden spoon. I’d rather do it that way. Thanx. and if some hasn’t tired it, I can attest how wonderful it is. I didn’t know u could freeze it. I know u can freeze the bread/cake.
Hi Judy!
Welcome to the Kitchen!
Yes you sure can use a glass bowl and wooden spoon!
Happy that you learned something new about freezing the starter!!!
*Happy Baking* and stop on over at the Kitchen Table forum and let us know if you have anymore questions!
Read article in Book Page. Many years ago I baked it. Loved it. Will start from scratch and give starter to my friends. Thank you from Fairfield,NJ
TJ
Ooh, that looks like something I could rellay make! Thanks for the post! And thanks also for linking up at the Super Sunday Stumble! I’ve stumbled this page and made sure I’m following you on SU. Hope to see you at the hop again this week!Christine recently posted..
Thank you, Mark!
Can the Friendship Bread starter be frozen?
Hi Frances,
Welcome to the Kitchen!! YES the starter can be frozen! Just pop it in and then pull it out whenever you are ready for it again! It never freezes solid..more like a slush.
Let it get to room temp and carry on where you left off. I usually give mine a feed of the 1 cup each of flour, sugar and milk once it comes out and up to room temp.
After you get it out of the freezer…and add the one cup each of flour, sugar and milk…do you need to wait more before baking?? Do you then split that into 4 and keep going??
I agree with the others. I used to get starter at least 4 times a year. Now I can’t find anyone that has it. I am glad that you have the recipe for the starter and I will start the ball rolling. This bread is out of this world. Glad I found your site on FB. Thanks.
Yay Roxanne!! Get on going and you will be the one to share!! So thrilling! Stop on over at the Kitchen Table and let us know how things are going!
Help! I remember years ago getting a starter but you added fruit every day or so…am I crazy? Would love to have the recipe again.
Thanks.
j
Hi Janis
That is a 30 day starter, which is different from the Amish Friendship Bread 10 day starter on this website. If you go to Facebook where Friendship Bread Kitchen has a page, check the discussion tab and someone posted about the Fruit starter: http://www.facebook.com/fbkitchen
ENJOY!
I forgot the 10 minute standing time on original starter. Do I need to toss, this is day 3.
You should be just fine, geo!
Would love to have this starter.. Had this many years ago and misplaced it. thanks
Here is the link to start your own starter! http://www.friendshipbreadkitchen.com/amish-friendship-bread
I am so excited to find the starter recipe. I have my original recipe to pass with the bread but I never had the starter recipe!
very interesting site.
I had this starter many years ago & my family loved it! I made pancakes on the weekends-I had guests almost every weekend! My baby son, who was 3 at the time, could eat 4 – 6 inch pancakes. He wanted pancakes all the time. I lost the recipe(& my starter) when our home burned back in 1986. I have often thought about it but couldn’t remember the name. I am so glad I clicked on the link!
I had this starter mix in years sure glad to start my own it is sooooo good
I’m concerned… This is the first time I’ve had to make my starter from scratch. I have an OLD recipe from my Grandma’s recipe box and it didn’t say to add yeast. However, it tells you to give the starter 26 days before you actually make the bread. On day 27 you add the last cup flour, sugar, and milk and divide it into four 1 cup containers. These can be given away or will make four cakes or breads.
Hello Tonia! I’m sure your grandma’s recipe is a great one. If you want to try your starter that way, please share the results with us. Otherwise, if you use the standard Amish Friendship Bread starter recipe, you’ll find that the commercial yeast you add will “kick-start” your starter so that you can reliably bake by day 10. I’m sure you’ll have fun any route you take. Does that address your concern?
Darien,
How do you keep it good and alive if you don’t use it in a long while?
A’ho,
Sha
Hi ShaTwanee! If you’re not going to use it for a while, store it in the freezer. You can keep it there indefinitely! When you’re ready to use it, take it out and let it defrost on the counter for a few hours. Then bake with it once it’s at room temperature. If you always want to keep some starter on hand, feed the starter first before baking with it, and put the extra aside. Have fun!
warmly,
Darien
thrilled to find this site! for years i made this at Christmas – different varieties for gifts. But i have not made them in a long, long time and am now ready to get a starter going! wonderful!!
I have been doing the AFB for years and since I was told not to use metal bowls or utensils, I never asked why. We use metal pans with paper liners for the mini loaves with no problem. So why do we not use metal bowls or utensils? Just curious. Don’t plan on changing my ways now since I have always been so successful with my starter and recipes. Love the site by the way.
Belinda
So. California
thanks for sharing this
I have made this with Splenda and good luck with it.
I have made some with sugar and some with Splenda and right now the Splenda ones are more watery and separated…I’m worried about them. Also, do you add 1 c Splenda each time like the regular ones where you add sugar? Thanks!
I am so thrilled to find Amish Friendship Bread! I’ve not had any in aoubt 18 years.
I’ll be making the ‘starter’ myself and can’t wait to start sharing.
Thank-you for the site.
I would like to get start soon and be able to do that with my daughter and see if it success for us…it sounds wonderful and I also cook alot of different things too…:)
my family and friends enjoy this bread. I have also used it for a activity project at work. It does not last lolng around my house and my Husband.
I LOVE THIS BREAD
I started my starter today! 5-7-11
Laurie Carlson
http://www.lauriehere.blogspot.com
Good for you, Laurie! Keep us updated! Stop over at the Kitchen Table Forum and chat with us!
I will be looking for your book Friendship Bread. Love everything Amish. Have done the Friendship bread in the past and it is awesome.
I love the Amish friendship bread. My GOD mother started me on this lovely bread, now my sisters/ friends and I all like to do this as a summer fun event. We all like to freeze starter kits, so we never run out of mix. I never knew the original starter recipe until I checked out on this site today! Thanks for all the wonderful Family Memories you have helped to create!
Question: I just made the starter. Does this bag have to stay at room temp for the 10 days? Can u freeze the batter after the 10 days to make more bread later?
Question: I just made the start today. Does this have to stay at room temp. for the 10 days or can it go in the fridge? Can you freeze the batter after the 10 days to make bread in the future?
Good for you! Yes you keep the Starter at room temp for the entire 10 days. If you need to be away from it for a few days you can put it in the fridge. Once you feed it on day 10, you can sure freeze it. Most people freeze 1 cup portions. If you have any more questions, feel free to pop on over to the Kitchen Table forum.
sounds good but i need the whole recipe, so i can make the bread
Here is the link for Amish Friendship Bread. It is also in the Recipe Box right here on this site along with 150 other recipes! ENJOY! http://www.friendshipbreadkitchen.com/amish-friendship-bread
Love Friendship bread and you have amazing recipes. What I need to know is…can the starter be made with rice flour and non-dairy (soy or rice or almond) milk for those who can’t have them? It would be wonderful if you could post a starter recipe for those who are vegan or must be gluten free.
Thanks
Check the Recipe Box, Pamela! The top 3 recipes are the 3 Starters, Original, Gluten-Free and Sugar-Free! ENJOY!
I just happened by this site and was so glad that I did. I had a friend that gave me a starter for the bread and I failed to keep it going and she had moved away. So now I can start my own and give it out and if I fail to keep it going I now know how to start my own, thanks so much.
love the friendship bread this is my second time making it wish me luck!!!
oooo- have just spotted this book on the local bookshop shelves down here in Sydney Australia……..gotta be making one to share. How exciting. Eeeeek
Great Deborah! Thank you for sharing with us in the Kitchen.
Thank you for this website that I reached via Facebook. I haven’t had the Bread in years since I “retired” my starter, and I am starting a new batch today! I am drooling!
Welcome to the Kitchen, Barbara. We are happy to have you here with us.
Just finished reading Darien Gee’s book and I am going to make my starter today. It’s going to be a long 10 days wait for my starter to ripen.
Thank you Lori for reading the book. We can’t wait to hear about your starter and baking! Keep in touch. Stop on over to the Kitchen Table.
I have loved the friendship bread made in any way possible. I even was desparate one evening, we live in the mtns outside of Boise, & it is a trip to go to town, I was out of the Vanilla Instant Pudding. I used pistachio. It was great tasting, looked a little odd though. Mary Marshall
Can this be made in a double or triple starter batch? I would love to be able to give to the ladies at my church!!
Hi Alma,
Thanks for stopping in. We’ve personally not made a Starter into double or triple batches because it multiplies so fast. You can easily have several starters going at once. At times, I’ve had 4 going at once. Have fun in the Kitchen.
My son is Autistic and is on a gluten free diet. Does anyone know of a starter and directions to do this in a gluten free method? I appreciate any comments and helpful hints. Thank you so much.
i would like for the recipe for the starter and other directions mailed to me if possible, also the btrad recipe. i really would appreciate it thanks , trish
I have been looking for this recipe for a long time.
I haven’t seen or done this for 20 years. Brings back wonderful memories. Wish I coule afford to buy your book, but thanks for all you share from the bottom of my heart.
I don’t see a prompt for printing this recipe. Am I missing it?
Hi Marie! You can print directly from your browser window (just click “File” then “Print”). We’re working on getting a better printer widget in the meantime! Also, feel free to look up the book in the library! We also have free booklet and recipe giveaways occasionally, so check in with our contests periodically!
Can’t wait to try it & share!
I am from Indiana and moved to Texas where NO ONE that I’ve meet makes Amish Friendship bread. I’ve never had the recipe for the starter until NOW. Thank you so much. Believe me my family and friends will love you for sharing this with me.
That is great, Tami!
I am so happy to have found this site as i love the bread from the starter mixture and no i can make some and send a package to my sis thanks so much
Its been 9 years since having a batch of this Friendship Bread. I am so excited to start a fresh batch and begin sharing with friends!
Welcome to the Kitchen, Corena!
I just started reading Friendship Bread today…I am almost done, I have not been able to put it down. I LOVE this book and I love Friendship Bread!! What a wonderful story Darien!! I am going to make sure that we read this in my book club when we start up again in the fall…and we’ll have the fruits of our labor to share!
glad i found this site wanting to try this recipe
I love the Amish friendship bread, I have wanted the starter recipe for years. Thanks for posting this.
so glad to find a recipe to make my own starter. hardly anyone makes this anymore around here. i’ve missed it so much! can’t wait to try more of recipes on here.
OMG,Thank you, i have been looking for this for forever.when i had the starter,(from my sister-in-law) i made it , ate it, froze it, gave it out as christmas gifts.til i couldnt make anymore. i thought i was tired of eating & baking it. i made different flavors, and it was awesome… now i want to make it again, and here it is. ty soo much for the starter recipe.i will be baking again for a long time.
help i just hit day 10 so excited baking bread but here is the problem, this starter make more than 4 cups of starter after adding the ingredients to day 10! is this just me? help????
Hi Kathy that does happen with a new starter! All is well. Check out our Kitchen Table Forums for more information on this: http://www.friendshipbreadkitchen.com/kitchen-table?mingleforumaction=viewforum&f=1.0 Happy Baking!
Hi,
I am a little confused about my starter. Do I mix it in the bowl and than pour it into a ziploc bag right away or when I divide it?
I read the book (Friendship Bread) and loved it. Its a feel good story and easy reading.
Hi Carolyn,
Yes you can do that or just mix it all in the baggie. Either way will work fine. Thanks for the Book comment. We hope you go and enter the NOOK contest now that you read the book.
Here is a link to more Q&A’s by our Kitchen friends over at the Kitchen Table Forum: http://www.friendshipbreadkitchen.com/kitchen-table?mingleforumaction=viewforum&f=1.0 Happy Baking!
I thought I was the only one confused with instructions, so I read most other questions and still came up empty. My solution was to just jump right in and try. I am on day two and it had just puffed up (no bubbles) but smells ok like beer. I just gave it a stir. I need assurance this is normal.
I keep it in the garage where its warm since in Florida the air condition runs forever.
Thanks
Hi Carolyn
All sounds great! When the bag puffs up, just let the air out. You can keep it in the house with the air running. If you think it is chilly just put a towel over it or keep it in a draft-free area like your oven/microwave when it isn’t on. Click on over to the Kitchen Table. That is our Forum and you will see a lot of folks asking the same questions.
Have a great day!
I have just found the book Friendship Bread which I am “devouring”, now I want to start the Starter — How many teaspoons of yeast in a pkt please — many thanks
Hi Diana
Most yeast packages contain 2 1/4 teaspoons. Don’t forget to enter the NOOK contest, too. Have a great day and happy baking.
I Loved the book and cannot wait to get started. I never knew there were so meny recipes I do not know what to try first.
Do you need to use whole milk? I have quickly gone thru al the questions and no one has mentioned if 1% milk is okay – that is what I happen to have on hand. Also is rapid rise yeast okay to use?
I used Rapid Rise and it seems to be perking away just fine!
I rarely use air conditioning so my house temperature varies quite a bit and get get as warm as 82 degrees before I breakdown. On day 10 I added 1 1/2 cups each of flour, sugar and milk. I had 7 1/2 cups to use and share! WOW!
I am going to try this my husband said he would like a good banana cream pie that the amish makes so i am going to look for a reciepe
My ENTIRE family loves Amish Friendship Bread. I make it several times a year, especially around the holidays. I have 2 grown nieces who ask for it as their gift.
Thank you so much for this starter recipe! My grandmother used to make frienship bread and I lost her starter! Now, I can have a little bit of Granny Betty back again!
I have wanted to start this and glad a friend recommended this site.
“Very excited about this”. – I started my starter batch yesterday, the “hard” part is waiting for the next 9 days to bake and enjoy! – Thank you for providing this website.
This is GREAT! Never tried “Sweet” starter before, always did sourdough!
I’m now a BIG fan of friendshipbreadkitchen.
yummy
I grew up with home made breads mom aaylws made our bread (and still bakes it). I’ve yo-yo’d between baking all our bread and buying it mostly for convenience. Lately I’ve gone back to making our bread because I’m concerned with all the additives in store bought bread. I’ve been using my bread machine most of the time because it’s so convenient; but I know that long rises make a more flavorful loaf. I would love to have the recipe for your sour dough bread.I just discovered your web site and I plan to be a frequent visitor.
Great, Nicolene.
Welcome to the Kitchen. Thanks for sharing your story.
I done this years ago. it was so much fun. excited bout doin it again
I’ve just broken a knee and cookies wouldn’t be a good idea, with the ups and downs. I am so anxious to try this. I can think of several people who will be interested in trying it. I have never seen this starter before. Both the starter and the bread itself look wonderful. Thanks for making it available.
If the starter is in a glass jar, is “mashing” the same thing as stirring the starter? I can’t wait to get going on this. Would be fun to get the women of the church started on this.
Yes, Nancy!
I love Friendship bread, but haven’t made it for a couple of years. Glad to find the Starter Recipe, but I had to print out 34 pages of comments just to get it.
I just finished reading the Friendship Bread by darien gee,
a wonderful book full of love, and relationships.
Can’t wait to start baking
I want to make this, however don’t have friend’s who bake so would just keep it for myself.
My question is regarding freezing the extra. At what stage do you freeze it please & how long will it keep in the freezer.
TYVMIA,
Shawn
Hi Shawn,
Great question. Freezing is super easy. You can freeze your starter at anytime. Just freeze it and when you are ready to use it again, pull it out and start where you left off. Best bet is to let your starter get back to room temp. before you give it a feed or use it to bake.
Hope that helps. Stop over at the Kitchen Table Forum for more Q & A’s like this one!
Happy Baking.
Thanks so much–
I am so excited to get started.
I wonder if you can freeze starter?
Hi Carolyn,
Yes you can freeze the starter. Check out the FAQs for the scoop: http://www.friendshipbreadkitchen.com/kitchen-table/faqs
Enjoy!
I’ve done this before but only after being given the starter. I haven’t done it in awhile so I needed the starter. Thank you for your help.
Hi Linda, welcome to the Kitchen. If you click on the “1 cup of Amish Friendship Bread Starter” in the above recipe it will take you to the starter recipe. It is easy to get going.
Have fun in the Kitchen!
Love this it will make great gifts for my good friends this year for Christmas. Thanks so much !
Can the starters that oyu give to people be left in room temperatures for the 10 days?
Hi Barb,
Yes the starter stays at room temp. Feel free to check out the Freq. Asked Questions http://www.friendshipbreadkitchen.com/kitchen-table/faqs for more information.
Happy Baking!
I love the FREINDSHIP BREAD!!!! I use to use it a lot when my children were young, they LOVED IT!! I just tried to start a batch but for some reason it isn’t developing like it should.I never used yeast before and used a sugar sub. w/o yeast. there is no froth in it. I started it on Oct.7th!! I really can’t wait for it to get started, any ideas. Can I add regular sugar to it on the 6th day or start a new batch???!
Hi Gypsy68
Thanks for stopping in for a visit. The Kitchen has had the best results using the original Amish Friendship Bread Starter with yeast.
Here is our version of a Sugar-Free Starter: http://www.friendshipbreadkitchen.com/pantry/afb-starter-sugar-free
Here are some Freq. Asked Questions on using sugar sub. http://www.friendshipbreadkitchen.com/kitchen-table/faqs
Hope this helps. You can also stop in at the Kitchen Table Forum and post your questions.
Happy Baking!
I live at Good Samaritan Village in Kissimmee, Fl. We have a fantastic library with so many different things for older people including a low vision room for sight impaired . We have two reading machines, many large print books, and many audio books. We are staffed completely by volunteers. We have many librarians, some authors and others living here. I am privilaged to be one of the volunteers . Many of our books are donated and we have fund raisers to buy some. It will be wonderful if we could have this wonderful book. I have just read it but I want to keep mine.
Great, Shirley!
Please copy your post and add it to the Library Love post. Thanks!
http://www.friendshipbreadkitchen.com/pantry/library-love-contest
Hi Gypsy68
Thanks for stopping in for a visit. The Kitchen has had the best results using the original Amish Friendship Bread Starter with yeast.
Here is our version of a Sugar-Free Starter: http://www.friendshipbreadkitchen.com/pantry/afb-starter-sugar-free
Here are some Freq. Asked Questions on using sugar sub. http://www.friendshipbreadkitchen.com/kitchen-table/faqs
Hope this helps. You can also stop in at the Kitchen Table Forum and post your questions.
Happy Baking!
Is there a way to make this bread without the sour dough tast?
Hi Darlene
This starter is a sour dough starter so you will have that taste.
Hello,
First, I am loving the novel! But, I am not done with it yet. I had a feeling there would be a website with the recipies and I was thrilled to find it. I am curious about how forgiving the recipie is regarding the timeline. Can you bake on the 9th or the 11th day? How important is it to be so specific? I am guessing the sour taste will be less on the 9th and more on the 11th. I am just trying to plan this out so that I am not rushed on baking day, but my schedule is always so full. Thanks for any advice you can offer on the baking and for writing such an incredible story.
Thanks for stopping in, Jeanne! The starter is very forgiving and does allow you to go a few days early or late.
We’ve also found that if we can’t pay attention to the starter and won’t be baking for several days past the Day 10, we will toss the starter in the freezer until ready to bake. Just let the starter get to room temp before using.
I have just made the starter but used a metal whisk to mix it then read about not using metal utensils, but have used a glass bowl, do you think I will have a problem !!
Hi Kylie,
Thanks for stopping in the Kitchen. Modern day whisk are ok to use if it doesn’t have any exposed, scratched or rusted metal. Hope that wasn’t the case for your whisk.
Thanks for being a friend in the Kitchen.
love the bread especially with just coconut and pecans..
Does the .25 ounce equal 1 of the 1/4 oz. pkg of yeast?
Hi Linda
Yes, it sure does!
Happy Baking.
MY SISTER MAKES YOUR BREAD AND ITS AWSOME,TKNX.
have not made this in years,want to get started again
I was given this recipe about 1 year ago from one of my co-workers and let it go without feeding so i lost it…so glad to find it again..love the bread and other things i can make with it.thanks alot.
I am going to try this for the first time.Thank you for posting the step by step.
It has been a few years since a friend of mine gave me a starter bag of Freindship Bread! So glad I found this~can’t wait to do it myself & share with other friends~~Thank you! Hope it turns out as good:)
i love this cake. i have made lots of them for christmas gifts. i did’nt have the recipe for the starter. the first one was given to me.so now i did’nt have the begin. thanks
Hi … I’ve just finished listening to the book and loved it! And now after hearing all about it and seeing all the recipes, I just have to start a “starter” to share with my friends! Haven’t had the pleasure of this since the mid-80′s and back then all I had was the original bread recipe. Thank you for assembling all the recipes … can’t wait to start!
I just baked my first batch on 1/22/12 from a bag of the starter that was given to me. I followed the instructions to the letter, however when I separated the batches into 1 cup servings to give to friends I ended up with 5 bags not including the 1 cup I kept to bake. No one wanted any now I have 5 bags of starter. It’s on day 4, can I freeze it now, and if so when I take it out of the freezer do I start up at day 5, or day 10?
Hi ShayDee,
Thanks for stopping in the Kitchen. Yes, you can freeze your starter at any point in the process. When you are ready to use it, just bring it out of the freezer and let it get to room temp. Once it gets to room temp., you can feed it, bake with it or start where you left off when you put it in the freezer. It is very flexible.
Hope that helps!
What do you mean exactly when you say feed it?
I have never made this cake,but I am going to give it a try. Wish me luck!
Good luck! Let us know how it turns out for you! Happy Baking.
So everytime I add ingredients to the batter, I have to mash, mash mash, then on day 5 add more ing., then on day ten start using the batter, and save 1 cup to add ing to..right? why cant I use after it rises in a few days?
Hi Beatrice
Thanks for stopping in with your question. When you first establish a starter, it is important to let it go the full 10 days before using. This will give you a good starter to feed, bake and share. Once you’ve done this the first 10 days and you are on your next round, you can actually just feed it once a week and use it whenever you want. Hope that helps.
Stop on over at the Kitchen Table forum for more discussions just like this one.
Happy Baking!
I love the bread but I need to stop making it. I don’t want to make anymore starters, so can I leave out day 10 and just add the rest of the ingredients to the mixture that I have?
After the ten days, you keep one cup and bake with it, then you give the other 9 away; do the people bake with the cup you gave them, or do they start with the day you gave it to them and add to it again on day 5, and then they bake again and give 9 away? Do you have to ever add more yeast?
They start with the day you gave it to them as day one and feed it on day 6 and then feed it on day ten, separate into one cup batches and bake what you want, save or give away one cup each to friends or family and then the circle starts again, squeeze/stir and then feed etc. etc.
Thanks so much!!
I used to have it recipe, now is come back again and glad get it copy as save in my computer recipe my file. I love to exchange Amish Bread with friends to pass along when save extra in to jar. It is good bread.
Hi. I have made this before and love it. I’m getting ready to make some more but I’m wondering if I can put it in a glass mason jar with a metal lid to gift it? I just hate the idea of giving someone a plastic bag of mush, lol. I would rather it look semi nice. Thanks.
I just finished the book. It was wonderful. The cover caught my eye when I had gone to the library. I haven’t had friendship bread in years and was greatful that you had the recipe for the starter in the book. I am very anxious to start baking. Also the website is a wonderful place to find so many recipes that no one in my family should ever get tired of Friendship Bread. Thanks so much.
May I get a bag of your bread starter? Thank you!
Thank you! i love this bread!!! Making my own starter is fun !!! I love to bake
Darlene rose in Ramona CA
My mixture didn’t get bubbly… Should I start over or is this okay? I really love this bread and don’t want to waste 10 days for it to not come out right…
Hi Rachel,
The mixture doesn’t always bubble. Some time you will see small bubbles. large bubbles or no bubbles! Good luck!
I think this is a fabulous idea and as soon as I get a jar big enough for this I am going to do this with my friend, Cheryl. She lives on the next street over and we walk together in the mornings with my husband and my dog!
That is great, Carolyn! You can also mix the starter in a bowl and leave it in the bowl, lightly covered. Another option is to mix it in a bowl and then transfer it to a ziplock bag! Have fun and we can’t wait to hear about your baking!
I’ve made the Friendship Bread that turns out like a pound cake or bundt cake, but how do I make the bread that is like bread dough and not cake batter?
Hi Tonia,
Thanks for stopping into the Kitchen. Most of the recipes in the Recipe Box will be more like a sweet, quick bread. If you check under Rustic Sourdough Variation you will find some other alternatives that is more like a bread dough instead of a quick bread.
Hope that helps!
I need some help! I made the starter and I am almost ready to divide it and pass it on. Once I have done that and I give a bag to my neighbor, what is she supposed to do on the first day? I am unclear if she is supposed to add 1c sugar, 1 c milk and 1 c flour on Day 1 after receiving the starter from me. Help!
Hi Betsy,
Your friend will consider her new starter Day 1. She will follow the same daily steps you did and feed it on Day 6 and Day 10. Hope that helps and happy Baking!
Susan
FBKitchen Assistant
After the 10 days with the starter can I divide into 1 cup each and use it for four different bread recipies? Or can I only take the one cup out? Thank you for all of you great advice and yummy recipies.
Hi Karen!
Yes you can use all your 1 cup portions to bake with. We suggest that you save at least one to keep your starter going! Hope that helps and happy baking!
My daughter brought home from work a starter kit and when she gave me one I couldn’t wait for the 10 days was up but I did and when I baked the bread of o’ my goodness it was one of the best, now I know I can make so much more I can’t wait for my 10 days to be up. I’m going to try other things and when I do I will post how they are, and my daughter is going to be trying other things also so she will be telling me how yhey were ,,,can’t wait!!!
Great, Sonja! Happy baking to you and your daughter!
Since you can’t use metal bowls or spoons in the preparation of the bread, can you bake it in metal loaf pans?
Yes, Myra. You want to avoid metal loaf pans that are old and scratched with exposed metal. Hope that helps and happy baking.
I so happy to finally find this starter.It is great! Just made an orange date nut bread, and it was delicious!!!
That is great, Debbie! Thanks for sharing! Keep on baking!
Hi Mary, I have been on the site for about 3 months trying different recipes and I just love it. I had made the bread 20 years ago but when the starter died so did my bread making days. I am having a blast. One thing I have done after you telling one of the readers that the starter was very resilient is I do not let it go the 10 days. I only do one feeding, Now my starter is 3 months old so I think it is pretty strong, but I had run out of people to give starters to, so I hated having all of this extra. So with only the one feeding and using it sooner I can make a sour dough and a friendship bread, have a starter and then if I want to give one away I have one, not 4. I am getting ready to convert one to sugar-free, so I will keep you posted on how that turns out. Thanks again for a great site, Anne
would like to learn more
I recently received a copy of Friendship Bread from NetGalley and absolutely loved the book! (check out my website for the review).
I was very excited to see that there were recipes included. I just put together my first starter ever! It’s now sitting in the bowl and I’ll be moving it to the Ziploc bags later tonight. Is there a specific amount of time I should wait? I know it says until it’s bubbly, but is there a general time (2-3 hours for example)?
Thanks so much for writing the book and sharing all of these recipes!
Thank you, Danielle for stopping in! We are so excited that you made a starter. You can move it over at anytime. Take pictures along the way and share with us! We will stop in soon and read your review! I will pass that along to Darien!
Susan
FBKitchen Assistant
I ‘m happy that I came across your site ! My sister-in-law had done this for her co-workers. I’ve been looking for a really good recipe to use. Thanks !!!
Great, Sandra! Let us know how your baking turns out!
HI there, we don’t use yeast as we make sourdough regularly, can I just use some of my real sourdough to start the friendship bread – instead of bakers yeast (which is a monoculture and so not as healthy for us!). Thanks, great site and can’t wait to make the bread!!
Feel free to experiment, Emma! Let us know how it turns out!
Help! I have starter that I froze but I’ve misplaced the directions on how to use it! Can you help please?
Here you go, Brenda! http://www.friendshipbreadkitchen.com/amish-friendship-bread
Thanks for stopping in!
I’m making the starter for the first time. It’s day five and it continues to be really runny – not goopy like the above photos. It is seperated until I sir it each day. I substituted water for the milk due to an allergy according to the vegan recipe. Does it sound like it’s working? Thanks for your help – I’m hoping for some yummy bread! Melissa
Hi Melissa
The starter is like pancake batter. Is that what you have? If you are adding water instead of milk that could be why it is runny. They yeast doesn’t have any sugar to eat with the water. You can also check the Recipe Box for the veagn Amish Friendship Bread Starter. Let us know how it turns out.
I plan on making this with soymilk, for a dairy free bread. So excited to have found the recipe! (:
That is wonderful, Natalie! Let us know how your recipe turns out! Feel free to snap pictures along the way and share with us. We love seeing what everyone is doing in their own kitchen! You can share your photo here on the website or through our Facebook page. Happy Baking!
Is sour dough starter and friendship bread starter the same and can they be used interchangably?
Hi Kim,
The Amish Friendship Bread Starter is a sour dough starter. It is sweeter than your traditional sour dough starter. Happy Baking.
Just making sure I have this right…… If I make a starter, I follow the normal 10 day instructions then on the 10th day I bake with one cup of my mixture and give the other 3 away and they begin with their 10 day instructions or do I not bake that 10th day …..thanks!
That is correct, Libby. Just an FYI- sometimes with a new starter you will end up with more than three 1 cup portions to give away. IF this happens, don’t be alarmed. Just put that extra in 1 cup portions in baggies and pass along, bake with or freeze! Happy Baking!
Here is another way to make the bread. Eliminate the vanilla pudding, use only 1 3/4 cups of flour, add 1/4 cup of dry farina, peel, core and cut a granny smith or honey crisp apple into small pieces. Dust the bottom of the pan with the entire amout of sugar and cinnamon (don’t put on the top). Pour 1/4 of the batter into the pan, then layer with the cut up apple, then pour the remaining batter on the top and bake. It is really good and doesn’t have the added sugar from the pudding. The apple tops it off just right too.
Sounds great, Janice. Feel free to fill out the recipe form so we can add this into the Recipe Box.
Thanks for sharing!
Susan
FBKitchen Assistant
I am totally confused. When making the “starter”, it says to consider that day as day 1. That I understand. But then it says ” for the next 10 days” do this and that. Is this a 11 day bread or should that have read …”for the next 9 days” do this and that ? I hope I haven’t ruined my starter since I am going by the 11 day thing. I started my starter on Sat. Did nothing Sun., stir mon , tues and Wed. Added the milk, sugar and flour today. Since then I have looked up other “starter” and it says the day you mix up your starter is day 1 and then do this and that for the next 9 days. Have I ruined mine ???
Christine: I am certainly no expert at this, but when the directions say consider the day that you make the starter day one, take it literally. In years past, I have gone over two weeks past the 10 days, (I am ashamed to admit!), before I made my bread, and it didn’t have any affect on it whatsoever. So one day isn’t going to matter at all. As long as you let the air out of the bag, when it inflates do to the yeast, if you use ziploc bags, and continue to stir it, it will be just fine. This stuff is pretty hard to mess up, so you haven’t ruined anything!!! Relax, and happy baking!!! (And this comes from a man that is not a baker……I just love this bread!).
You are doing just great, Christine. The original recipe calls it Day 1 then do such and such on other Days. We have kept to that original recipe but the adding and using of the starter is actually very flexible. You haven’t ruined anything. Keep on going!
Susan
FBKitchen Assistant
I remember Friendship Bread from when I was a kid. My mom and her girlfriends used to trade the starters back and forth. I was excited to try making the starter today. I guess I mixed up the directions a bit…while multi-tasking… and added the flour and sugar to the yeast mixture and then poured in the milk. Will this still work. I’d rather start over on day 1 than figure out on day 10 that I can’t bake the bread or share the batter with friends. BTW, the mixture looks just like the description of pancake batter.
I was wondering how long can you freeze the starter for?
Indefinitely! Check our FAQs for more on freezing your starter, but it’ll keep until you need it, even if it’s a couple years later!
I have used a frozen starter a year later, and it was fine. I also use a wire whisk…doesn’t seem to change the bread at all. I wish I could make a starter and bake it immediately!!! I hate to wait the ten days! Oh, by the way, you can mess up the starter along the way, and it doesn’t change the outcome! I forgot the day I was supposed to add…added two days later than when I should have with no problem. It’s a very ‘forgiving’ dough!!
Yes you are so right, Susan! It is a very forgiving Starter!
i make my starter with just, 1 cup milk, 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar. i love making different flavors, and making mini muffins, or even a bundt pan. so many diffent flavors, The favorite is lemon poppy seed and Cherrycheese cake.
i have had a starter going since Thanksgiving. Love the friendship bread.
Awesome, Jenna!!!
Keep it up! Send pictures of your Starter and baking!
Happy Baking,
Susan
FBKitchen Assistant
I haven’t had friendship bread in years. The one I remember is from when I was a kid and my mom had it in a jar. But the one she would do she would had fruit to the mix during the 7 or 10 days. It was an okay bread but these look so much better. Going to start me a starter tomorrow. Thank you so much for sharing.
Hi Kim,
Check the Kitchen Table Forum because others have asked about this.
Thanks and Happy Baking,
Susan
FBKitchen Assistant
I used to to make an Amish Friendship Bread that the starter was instant potato flakes. I still have the recipe somewhere, your recipe inspires me to start making it again. Thank you!
That is great, Sharon! We are thrilled to know you were inspired to bake! Snap pictures and share your variation with us once you bake!
Happy Baking,
Susan
FBKitchen Assistant
What do you do if you just want to make the starter and the bread, but don’t want extra bags to share.
Bake off the extra bags, or freeze them to save for a later date, Paula. On Day 10 you’ll have enough starter for 4-7 recipes, with each recipe yielding 2 loaves each. You could gift everyone in your neighborhood with Amish Friendship Bread! (and the bread freezes well, too). Good luck!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU, for posting this starter recipe can’t wait to get started!!!
You’re welcome, Mekenna!
Can’t wait to try this one.
Do you start feeding the starter the day after you mix it up? How often do you feed it and how much?
Hi Carol! You receive or make it on Day 1, squeeze every day, add ingredients on Day 6 and Day 10. The full instructions are here: http://www.friendshipbreadkitchen.com/amish-friendship-bread.
I have also seen starters that only use water, flour, sugar. I noticed yours uses milk, won’t the milk really sour fast – could it get dangerous to eat.
Hi Carol! Amish Friendship Bread has been around for several decades — it’s not my recipe. The milk doesn’t sour or spoil — there are people who’ve had their AFB starters for several years. I couldn’t explain the science of the starter, but it has something to do with the fact that the starter is fermenting. Here is a link you may find helpful: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/safefood/newsltr/v1n2s04.html. Hope this helps answer your question and allay any concerns!
I used to have the recipe long ago and loved to make the different breads. I am so glad I found your website a few years back but have lost my recipe again (it was in a folder on my email domain) and I cannot find here what we are to do each day for the 10 days. I know we do something and add something each day but what? Cannot find it here. Please help! Thanks
Pam, you can look up the full starter recipe at momswhothink.com. Reference Amish Friendship Bread, and they have a clearly delineated recipe for both the starter and the bread. I had trouble locating both on this site as well. Good luck!