Amish Cinnamon Friendship Bread Starter

[janetupnorth]

There are many variants to this, but here is mineer request:Starter:
1 c. plain flour
1 c. sugar
1 c milkDay 1: Receive starter (or make own).
Day 2: Mush in bag, twice a day.
Day 3: Mush in bag, twice a day.
Day 4: Mush in bag, twice a day.
Day 5: Add 1 c. flour, 1 c. sugar, 1 c. milk and mush, let air out, transfer to larger bag if you didn't start with a big one.
Day 6: Mush in bag, let air out TWO times a day.
Day 7: Mush in bag, let air out TWO times a day.
Day 8 & 9: Do nothing.Day 10 (Baking day): Add 1 c. flour, 1 c. sugar and 1 c. milkTake out three 1 c. portions of the mix and put into containers for 3 friends.In remaining portion, add 1 c. oil, 1 c. sugar, 1 tsp. baking powder, 1 small box vanilla pudding, 2 tsp. vanilla, 1 c. walnuts (optional), 2 tsp. cinnamon, 1 tsp. baking soda, 1 cup flour.Grease/flour bundt pan (fluted pan) or 2 loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes.Optional icing: 1 tsp. vanilla, 1 c. pwd sugar, 4 tsp. hot milk.

 

[GeorgiaPeach]

MMmmmm....Janet, thank you! I LOVE Friendship bread but never knew how to make the starter. It's been probably 15 years since I've made this. I kept mine going for so long one time that my husband joked that I was going to lose all my friends but giving them so many "friendship" starters

I've got a fabulous coffee cake recipe for the starter with a crumbly topping , it doesn't use the pudding mix. I'll have to see if I can find it and post it as a variation.

Guess what I'm making tomorrow My husband is NOT going to be happy

 

[janetupnorth]

MMmmmm....Janet, thank you! I LOVE Friendship bread but never knew how to make the starter. It's been probably 15 years since I've made this. I kept mine going for so long one time that my husband joked that I was going to lose all my friends but giving them so many "friendship" starters

I've got a fabulous coffee cake recipe for the starter with a crumbly topping , it doesn't use the pudding mix. I'll have to see if I can find it and post it as a variation.

Guess what I'm making tomorrow My husband is NOT going to be happy

Won't he be happy with the cooked results?

 

[GeorgiaPeach]

Hee hee....my husband just walked in the room and I said, "Guess what? Someone just posted on Chef Success how to make the starter for Friendship bread!!" He groaned (yes, he actually closed his eyes and groaned!) and said, "Okay, you can make the starter as long as you promise to give it ALL away!!"

Hmm....let me think about it....NO!! He'll forget about it when he gets the coffee cake in 10 days!

 

[janetupnorth]

Hee hee....my husband just walked in the room and I said, "Guess what? Someone just posted on Chef Success how to make the starter for Friendship bread!!" He groaned (yes, he actually closed his eyes and groaned!) and said, "Okay, you can make the starter as long as you promise to give it ALL away!!"

Hmm....let me think about it....NO!! He'll forget about it when he gets the coffee cake in 10 days!

Too funny!

 

[KellyTheChef]

Don't forget...do NOT use a metal spoon or metal pan when messing with the starter!

Actually, when I add to the bag, I just mush it to mix it. But, on the last day, when you add stuff and then dish it out into new starter bags, be sure you aren't doing that in anything metal!

 

[KellyTheChef]

MMmmmm....Janet, thank you! I LOVE Friendship bread but never knew how to make the starter. It's been probably 15 years since I've made this. I kept mine going for so long one time that my husband joked that I was going to lose all my friends but giving them so many "friendship" starters

I've got a fabulous coffee cake recipe for the starter with a crumbly topping , it doesn't use the pudding mix. I'll have to see if I can find it and post it as a variation.
Guess what I'm making tomorrow My husband is NOT going to be happy

Please, please post this! Sounds yummy!

 

[Gina M]

Thanks Janet - I actually just pitched my last starter that I had in my freezer (it had been there too long) and was wondering how to get it started again. This stuff tastes awesome! And is so easy to make.

 

[pamperedlinda]

Oh, I haven't had this in years. It is so good. We're going on spring break next week so guess I'll start this when we get back.

 

[wadesgirl]

Thanks Janet! I'll ask DH if he wants me to make some.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I'm a Friendship Bread Failure!

I've had starter given to me several times - and I always forget to do the steps daily.....Don't even know what it tastes like, because I've never been given the bread, just the starter. I finally end up throwing it away, after finding it in the back of the refrigerator, and wondering what it is.....

Hmmmm, maybe if someone really wanted to pass some friendship my way - they would just bake me a loaf of the bread instead!:blushing:

 

[JAE]

I'm a Friendship Bread Failure!

I've had starter given to me several times - and I always forget to do the steps daily.....Don't even know what it tastes like, because I've never been given the bread, just the starter. I finally end up throwing it away, after finding it in the back of the refrigerator, and wondering what it is.....

Hmmmm, maybe if someone really wanted to pass some friendship my way - they would just bake me a loaf of the bread instead!:blushing:

Hey Becky! How are ya'?
I didn't think you were supposed to put the bread mix in the frig.

 

[rebeccastt]

Yes, do you refrigerate the starter? How big of a bag should I put it in to start so that I don't have to transfer it? How do you remember what day you are on (I can easily see myself forgetting which day it was)?

 

[jbachen]

I was wondering about that - does the mix go in the fridge??

 

[mommyhugz1978]

You can refrigerated the starter if your not going to use it for a while..... at least the recipe that I have lets you do that but I am not sure if all the starter recipes are like that or not.

 

[Stephaniecafe]

Putting it in the fridge greatly slows down the natural action of the yeast so it is possible to store it in the fridge (in bakeries it is called the "retarder"). I store my various starters in the fridge( apple, raisin, whole wheat, and white) and haven't had a problem. Just return to the day you left off, as long as it isn't longer than 2 or three weeks.

Thanks for posting this recipe! This is one I didn't have-- and I do agree about giving out the loaves along with a bag of starter-- made in our mini loaf pans it would be fabulous!!

 

[pamperedalf]

My mom just gave me a starter, I haven't had this bread in years. I love love love this bread. My mom said she uses apple sauce in there sometimes.

 

[Stephaniecafe]

My mom just gave me a starter, I haven't had this bread in years. I love love love this bread. My mom said she uses apple sauce in there sometimes.

Applesauce sounds yumm. It would help it to stay moist longer too... I was thinking of throwing in some frozen blackberries and orange zest...

 

[mommyhugz1978]

God gosh their goes my diet!!! LOL

 

[lacychef]

This is yummy! I did this about this time last year...

 

[lacychef]

Yes, do you refrigerate the starter? How big of a bag should I put it in to start so that I don't have to transfer it? How do you remember what day you are on (I can easily see myself forgetting which day it was)?

To not forget the day's: you can just write on the bag the date that you started

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Hey Becky! How are ya'?
I didn't think you were supposed to put the bread mix in the frig.

I usually end up throwing it in there, because I can't remember if I've done the steps right or not - and that is supposed to keep it longer....but then I forget when I've thrown it into the refrigerator - and I don't trust it, plus, I don't remember what my next step should be.

I guess I like my quick breads to be just that - quick!
I tell people all the time that I am a COOK, not a BAKER. I love to cook - love creating meals and recipes with what I have on hand. Baking on the other hand requires much more precision, and accurate measuring and ingredients. That's not so much fun for me. I do it because I have to for my family (they love homemade baked goods), but if you notice - even my show demos revolve more around cooking than baking. I rarely do Dessert Shows, and when I do, they aren't as much fun for me.

 

[KellyTheChef]

Yes, do you refrigerate the starter? How big of a bag should I put it in to start so that I don't have to transfer it? How do you remember what day you are on (I can easily see myself forgetting which day it was)?

Put it into a gallon bag...that leaves room to add stuff, and room for the gas that it puts off to expand without it "blowing!"

Since I baked my bread yesterday, I made 3 bags of starters and wrote on the bag "Friendship Bread Starter Day One 3-31-08" so *I* won't forget what day I am on, plus...if you give away one of your starters they will know what day it's on!

 

[wadesgirl]

No fridge, it's supposed to be on the counter. Sounds weird especially since you put milk in it but it will be okay.

 

[jbachen]

OK, so maybe I am slow, but I want to get this right... From what I am reading you are supposed to keep it on the counter. Unless you want to store it for longer, in which case you can put it in the fridge. However, if you do put it in the fridge, it pauses the day number you are on until you take it out. Right?So, for example, if you put it into the fridge on Day 3 and take it out a week later, you would be on Day 4 when you take it out. Am I close?P.S. What about freezing the starters?

 

[janetupnorth]

OK, so maybe I am slow, but I want to get this right... From what I am reading you are supposed to keep it on the counter. Unless you want to store it for longer, in which case you can put it in the fridge. However, if you do put it in the fridge, it pauses the day number you are on until you take it out. Right?

So, for example, if you put it into the fridge on Day 3 and take it out a week later, you would be on Day 4 when you take it out. Am I close?

P.S. What about freezing the starters?

Yes...

I always keep it out on the counter.

 

[erinyourpclady]

The bags always spill on me...well, not me literally but ALL over my counters! I use a tupperware bowl or a covered glass bowl. Instead of mushing I stir with a bamboo spoon.

 

[KateD]

When I give out my starters I include four post cards that have the starter directions (with blank spots to write which day you start, add, and make) on the front, and the bread recipe and my PC contact info on the back.

When the person gives out their starters, they are giving out my PC information. I included that they can get a pdf copy of the recipe by emailing me, which prints four to a page, so that the recipe - and my info - are passed on again!

And I make a mix of sugar, cinnamon, and dash of cloves to dust the pans with and sprinkle on top. No, it doesn't sell "our" sprinkles, but it tastes AWESOME, especially on the pan-side crusts. Yummy!

 

[MissChef]

Wow! What a really cool idea! How fun! I think I might just do this sometime this week! Thanks for the recipe and all the extra tips from everyone else! :thumbup:

 

[rebeccastt]

When I give out my starters I include four post cards that have the starter directions (with blank spots to write which day you start, add, and make) on the front, and the bread recipe and my PC contact info on the back.

When the person gives out their starters, they are giving out my PC information. I included that they can get a pdf copy of the recipe by emailing me, which prints four to a page, so that the recipe - and my info - are passed on again!

Would you mind sharing this?