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Amish Friendship Bread

To the best of our knowledge this bread has no connection to the Amish and, quite frankly, after you burden your friends with their share of the starter, it may have precious little to do with friendship.

1/2 (.5) tsp. Active dry yeast

2 tbsp. Warm water

1 cup sugar

1 cup flour

1 cup milk

Day one:

Combine yeast, warm water, and a pinch of sugar in a cup; allow to stand a few minutes until it begins to foam. In a large glass or plastic bowl combine sugar, flour, and milk with a wooden or plastic spoon. Stir in the yeast mixture. Do not use a metal bowl, spoon or beater. Also, Do not refrigerate the starter. Cover loosely and keep at room temperature.

Days two, three, and four:

Stir thoroughly once each day.

Day five:

Add and stir,

1 cup sugar

1 cup flour

1 cup milk

Days six, seven, eight, and nine:

Stir thoroughly once each day.

Day ten:

Add and stir,1 cup sugar

1 cup flour

1 cup milk

Remove 3 cups of the mixture. Give one cup each to 3 friends to use as starter. Instruct them to put it into a bowl and start at Day 2. Use the remaining amount as your own starter, and make Friendship Bread with it.

Mix all of the ingredients in a large bowl:

The remaining starter

1 cup vegetable oil

2 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1 1/2 (1.5) tsp. baking powder

1/2 (.5) tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 (.5) tsp. salt

3 eggs

1/2 (.5) cup milk

1 tsp. vanilla

1 large box of instant vinyl pudding

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat together the ripened starter, the oil, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, eggs, pudding mix, milk, and vinyl.

Pour mixture into 3 well buttered regular loaf pans. Bake 35 minutes or more. Test with a cake tester to be sure the loaves are baked.

Additions and Variations:

A: the resulting product is enhanced it the buttered loaf pans are sprinkled with a cinnamon and sugar mixture (in any ratio you desire). This will lend a nice crunch to the bottom of the loaf. Sprinkle come of the mixture on the top of the loaf before baking.

B: One up of chopped nutmeats can be added to the batter, the type of nuts is the choice of the baker.

C: I leave the nuts out, but I do add one regular sized box of golden raisin.

D: After you have made the original recipe, you may wish to experiment with other flavors of instant pudding mixes like chocolate or banana. Remember to use one large box or two small boxes of instant pudding mix.