Amish Friendship Bread is known for its sweet, moist texture and lightly spiced flavor, making it a comforting treat to share with loved ones. This unique variation brings a twist to the classic recipe by using an active sourdough starter to make the Amish starter.

Unlike the traditional version, where the starter is passed on and reused, this recipe calls for the sourdough starter to be made and used once, specifically for this loaf. However, if you’d like to embrace the sharing tradition, the starter can easily be doubled and gifted to a friend, continuing the spirit of friendship!

What is Amish Friendship Bread?

Amish Friendship Bread is a sweet, cinnamon-flavored bread that’s traditionally made from a fermented starter passed between friends and family. The starter, which can be shared and nurtured, is the key to the bread’s signature flavor and texture.

The tradition behind Amish Friendship Bread is rooted in the idea of community and sharing, as each person receives a portion of the starter to bake their own loaf while also passing some bread along to others. This creates a connection chain through baking, bringing people together one loaf at a time.

What makes this recipe different? This recipe calls for a variation of an Amish friendship starter, using an already active sourdough starter. Instead of making a large batch of starter, the recipe makes just the amount it needs. However, if you’d like to double the recipe and share a cup of starter with a friend, feel free to do so!

What is an Amish Friendship Starter?

An Amish Friendship Bread starter is a fermented mixture that acts as the base for the bread, similar to a sourdough starter. It’s traditionally made with flour, sugar, and milk, which is left to ferment at room temperature over a few days. This fermentation process gives the bread its signature light, airy texture and mild sweetness.

The starter is often shared among friends, allowing others to continue the baking tradition. Some variations may also include yeast to help kickstart the fermentation process.

All of my Amish recipes are inspired by the classic friendship starter—this is my personal take on it however it is not the exact same method.

If you are interested in learning more about Amish friendship starters and breads this is a great resource.

Why I love this recipe

I was inspired by Amish friendship bread from a dear friend who used to make it all the time. When she told me how the starter is milk and sugar-based it reminded me of my Sweet Stiff Sourdough Starter and I was intrigued.

While I researched more about it, I realized that I didn’t need to start the process from scratch since I already have an active sourdough starter.

I decided to take a portion of my sourdough starter and feed it with milk, flour, and sugar and the results were incredible. Here is why I love this recipe:

Taste & texture: the bread has a deliciously sweet flavor with a unique texture thanks to the Amish friendship starter. The crumb is moist, soft, and perfect for enjoying with coffee or tea

Convenience: It’s incredibly convenient to make as long as you have an active sourdough starter on hand, which means no waiting for a traditional starter to ferment over days.

Versatility: The recipe itself can be used for muffins, cakes, and various sweet breads with different inclusions.

Amish friendship starter: This is a unique starter that gives sweet recipes a decadent texture and crumb. You may want to keep it on hand more often than not!

How to make Amish friendship bread

Baker’s schedule: Make the Amish friendship starter the evening before you make the bread.

Ingredients

For the Amish friendship starter:

20 grams of active sourdough starter
20 grams of sugar
100 grams of milk
100 grams of all-purpose flour

For the Amish friendship bread:

200 grams of Amish friendship starter from above
226 grams of melted unsalted butter, slightly cooled
120 grams of milk (warmed)
200 grams of sugar
100 grams of light brown sugar
3 large eggs (brought to room temperature)
5 grams of vanilla extract
250 grams of flour
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon of baking powder
Optional add-ins: raisins, nuts, or chocolate chips
For the cinnamon sugar coating: 1/4 cup of sugar & 1 teaspoon of cinnamon

Equipment

Food scale & measuring spoons
Mixing bowls
2 8×4 inch loaf pans

Instructions

Make the Amish friendship starter:

The evening before you make the bread mix the Amish starter ingredients (sourdough starter, milk, sugar, & flour) in a glass jar. Cover it loosely and allow it to rest overnight for 8-10 hours.

The following morning:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F and Grease two 8×4-inch loaf pans.

Mix the cinnamon-sugar coating ingredients (1/4 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon) and dust the pans with half of this mixture, saving the other half for later.

In a small saucepan warm the milk and butter until the butter melts. Set aside to cool.

In a mixing bowl whisk together the flour, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.

To a separate bowl add the milk and butter mixture and stir in the Amish starter and sugars until combined.

Next, add the eggs and vanilla extract and whisk until combined.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until combined. Be careful not to overmix. If using nuts, chocolate chips, or raisins, gently fold them into the batter.

Pour the batter evenly into the two prepared pans and sprinkle the remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture on top of the batter.

Bake at 325°F (165°C) for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Let the bread cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Once the bread has cooled completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, or aluminum foil, or store it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days at room temperature.