There are two different methods of creating Amish Friendship Bread. You can use yeast in the starter, or be daring and use the no yeast method. The only real difference is that with no yeast, the starter takes a little longer. The good thing is, if you forget about the starter for a few days, it really won’t matter, especially with the no yeast method.

No Yeast Method:

1 C Water

1 C Flour

Mix in a large bowl or pitcher (it will grow!), cover loosely, or with plastic wrap with a few holes punched in it, and set in a draft-free part of the kitchen for about 10-15 days. You will know it has fermented when it gets bubbly. Once it has fermented, you can keep it in the refrigerator. Be sure to “feed” your starter every week or 10 days by adding  another cup of flour and cup of water. Every time you feed the starter, leave it out overnight, or at least 8-10 hours.

When you are ready to bake your bread, take 1/2 cup of the starter and mix in 2 cups of flour. (You can continue to feed and grow the rest of the starter until there is enough to separate into ½ cup portions to give away.) Let sit in a dry, warm place for about 8 hours, or overnight. To this mixture, when ready, you will add:

2 Tablespoons melted shortening (you can use the butter flavor if you like

1 Teaspoon of salt

If you are going to use the dough for cinnamon rolls or sweet bread, also add 1 egg.

Kneed the dough for until the flour is mixed in well, usually about 5 minutes. Form into two loaves, or rounds and bake for 35-45 minutes at 375. While still hot, brush the top with melted butter (and cinnamon and sugar for a slightly sweet taste)

Yeast Method

2 Cups All Purpose Flour

2 Cups ‘warm’ water (until it begins to very warm to the touch, about 110 degrees)

1 Pkg. Dry yeast (you can get by with ½ package)

Mix together the ingredients and keep in a warm dry place, uncovered, for 8-24 hours. The longer you let it ferment, the stronger the “sour-dough” will be. Once it has fermented, you can use it, or keep it in the refrigerator and continue to feed it with 1 Cup of flour, 1 Cup of milk and ¼-1/2 cups of sugar. After feeding, stir with a wooden spoon and let it remain out of the refrigerator for several hours.

When ready to use, Take 1 Cup of the starter, mix it with 1 Cup of flour and ½ Cup of water. Pour into loaf pans and bake at 350 for about 50 minutes. You can add more flour, then kneed the dough, forming into rounds or loaves as well.

These are the basic sourdough recipes, but Amish Friendship Bread also has many tasty sweet recipes as well. You can find some of the more delectable ones at this Amish Friendship Bread Lens