The basic friendship bread recipe produces a cinnamon-sugar type loaf, but it has the potential for much more. In fact, Darien Gee created more than 100 variations of the recipe while writing her novel.

Here, we provide the starter recipe, directions for 10 days of growing the starter and a couple of Gee’s favorite variations.

Amish Friendship Bread Starter
1 (0.25-ounce) package active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 cup milk

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 milk and yeast mixture.

Cover loosely and let stand at room temperature until bubbly.

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.

Note: This day one of the 10-day cycle.

10-day instructions for Amish Friendship Bread

Do not refrigerate starter. It is normal for the batter to rise and ferment. If air gets in the bag, let it out.

» Day 1: Do nothing.

» Day 2: Mash bag.

» Day 3: Mash bag.

» Day 4: Mash bag.

» Day 5: Mash bag.

» Day 6: Add to bag, then mash:

1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup milk

» Day 7: Mash bag.

» Day 8: Mash bag.

» Day 9: Mash bag.

» Day 10: Pour entire bag into nonmetal bowl, then add:
1-1/2 cup flour
1-1/2 cup sugar
1-1/2 cup milk

Measure out 4 separate batters of 1 cup each into 4 1-gallon Ziploc bags.

Keep one and give the rest to three friends.

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

Amish friendship bread
3 eggs
1 cup oil
1/2 cup milk
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups flour
1 to 2 boxes instant pudding (any flavor)
1 cup nuts (optional)
1 cup raisins (optional)
» Cinnamon-sugar topping:
1/2 cup sugar
1-1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

To make topping, combine sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.

Grease 2 large loaf pans.

In another bowl, mix all ingredients.

Dust greased pans with topping.

Pour batter evenly into pans and sprinkle remaining cinnamon-sugar on top.

Bake 1 hour, or until bread loosens evenly from sides of pan and toothpick inserted in loaf comes out clean. Makes 2 loaves.

Approximate nutritional information, per slice (based on 10 slices per loaf and not including optional nuts and raisins): 300 calories, 13 g fat, 1.5 g saturated fat, 35 mg cholesterol, 300 mg sodium, 41 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 29 g sugar, 3 g protein

Triple Chocolate Coconut Amish Friendship Bread

Friendship Bread Kitchen (pictured on D1)

1 cup Amish Friendship Bread starter
3 eggs
1 cup oil
1/2 cup milk
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 to 2 boxes instant chocolate pudding
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut, plus extra to sprinkle

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease two large loaf pans and dust with sugar if desired.

Add ingredients into mixing bowl and combine until moistened.

Pour batter evenly into pans and sprinkle coconut on top.

Bake 1 hour, or until bread loosens evenly from sides of pan and toothpick inserted in loaf comes out clean. Makes 2 loaves.

Approximate nutritional information, per slice (based on 10 slices per loaf): 340 calories, 18 g fat, 4.5 g saturated fat, 35 mg cholesterol, 300 mg sodium, 43 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 28 g sugar, 4 g protein

Blueberry Mango Amish Friendship Bread  

Friendship Bread Kitchen

1 cup Amish Friendship Bread starter
3 eggs
1 cup oil
1/2 cup milk
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups flour
1 to 2 boxes vanilla instant pudding
1 cup dried blueberries
1 cup dried mango, chopped

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease two large loaf pans.

In large bowl, add ingredients as listed.

Dust greased pans with granulated sugar. Pour batter evenly into each pan.

Bake 1 hour, or until bread loosens evenly from sides of pan and toothpick inserted in loaf comes out clean. Makes 2 loaves.

Approximate nutritional information, per slice (based on 10 slices per loaf): 320 calories, 13 g fat, 1.5 g saturated fat, 35 mg cholesterol, 300 mg sodium, 47 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 32 g sugar, 3 g protein

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Nutritional analyses by Joannie Dobbs, Ph.D., C.N.S.