Recipe Swap Monday

Have you ever tried Amish Friendship bread? My neighbor gave me a starter kit for this and a loaf of bread. It is so yummy and the kids love to help make it. I have made the whole thing once and I'm on my second batch. It's fun to pass it on to friends with a homemade loaf of bread, a starter bag and the recipe. And I found the silicone whisks at Michael's for $1.

Amish Friendship Bread:

Important Note: Don't use metal spoons or equipment. Do not refrigerate. Use only glazed ceramic or plastic bowls or containers.

INGREDIENTS:

* 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
* 1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
* 3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
* 3 cups white sugar, divided
* 3 cups milk


DIRECTIONS

1. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Let stand 10 minutes. In a 2 quart container glass, plastic or ceramic container, combine 1 cup flour and 1 cup sugar. Mix thoroughly or flour will lump when milk is added. Slowly stir in 1 cup milk and dissolved yeast mixture. Cover loosely and let stand until bubbly. Consider this day 1 of the 10 day cycle. Leave loosely covered at room temperature or store in large ziploc bag (I do and it's easier. I also divide into ziplocs when giving to friends.)
2. On days 2 thru 4; stir starter with a spoon. Day 5; stir in 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Days 6 thru 9; stir only.
3. Day 10; stir in 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Remove 1 cup to make your first bread (see recipe below), give 2 cups to friends along with this recipe, and your favorite Amish Bread recipe. Store the remaining 1 cup starter in a container in the refrigerator, or begin the 10 day process over again (beginning with step 2).

FOOTNOTES

Once you have made the starter, you will consider it Day One, and thus ignore step 1 in this recipe and proceed with step 2. You can also freeze this starter in 1 cup measures for later use. Frozen starter will take at least 3 hours at room temperature to thaw before using.

For the baking the bread:

INGREDIENTS:

* 1 cup Amish Friendship Bread Starter (see above)
* 2/3 cup vegetable oil
* 3 eggs
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 cup white sugar
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
(You can add pretty much anything you want...3/4 cup raisins, chocolate chips, shredded zucchini or carrots, etc).
DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 2 (9x5 inch) loaf pans.
2. In a large bowl, combine the Amish bread starter with oil, eggs, 2 cups flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Mix well. Pour into prepared loaf pans.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes.

For more great recipe swapping fun visit Anissa at Our Chaotic Life!