Friendship Bread

Tonight at Kayla's open house for second grade I was handed a Ziploc bag full of "starter". April (one of the mom's, friend and neighbor) handed it to me saying that she had been meaning to give me this and if I hadn't been at the open house tonight she was going to hunt me down (Walk down the block 2 houses lol) and give it to me that way. I had no clue what on earth she was handing me until just now when I read the directions and researched it. Here is a link on a variation of the recipe and the story... http://www.squidoo.com/amish-friendship-bread-starter . Here is my story and the directions I was given.

FRIENDSHIP BREAD DO NOT USE ANY TYPE OF METAL SPOON FOR MIXING. DO NOT REFRIGERATE. IF AIR GETS INTO THE BAG, LET IT OUT (THIS IS CALLED "BURPING" THE BAG) IT IS NORMAL FOR THE BATTER TO RISE, BUBBLE, AND FERMENT.

Day 1: Do Nothing. This is the day you receive the batter. Make sure the bag is dated.

Day 2 - Day 5: Mush the bag.

Day 6: Add to the bag: 1 Cup Flour, 1 Cup Sugar, 1 Cup Milk. Mush the bag.

Day 7 - Day 9: Mush the bag.

Day 10: Pour the contents of the bag into a non-metal bowl. Add 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1 1/2 cups milk. Mix together.

In 4 one-gallon sized ZIPLOC bags labeled "Day 1" (with date), measure out 1 cup of mix and put into each bag. Give them to 4 friends with the recipe.

To the remaining batter add:

3 Eggs, 1 Cup oil, 1/2 cup milk, 1 cup sugar, 1 1/2 tsp. salt, 2 cups flour, 1 large box instant vanilla pudding

Grease 2 loaf pans.

For topping, mix 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon in a bowl. Dust the greased pans with half the mixture.

Pour batter evenly into the two pans and spring top with remaining sugar mixture. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour. Check with toothpick to see if it is done. Cool until it loosens from pans. Store in refrigerator.

Should the recipe not be passed on the 10th day, be sure to date the bag for the recipient. They can use the date lines to keep track of the day they are on. If you keep a starter for yourself, you will be baking every 10 days the bread is very good and a good gift. Only the Amish know how to create a starter, so if you give them all away you will have to wait until someone gives a starter back. Enjoy!!

I plan to continue this bread and try to keep track through update on the blog.
And here is the bag I was handed. Dated for September 1, 2009 :