Gingerbread Amish Friendship Bread

Gingerbread Amish Friendship Bread takes the classic holiday favorite to new heights with a unique twist—using a variation of an Amish friendship starter. This variation brings an extra depth of flavor, balancing the gentle tang of sourdough with the warm, festive spices of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.

The bread is moist and tender, with a delightful aroma that fills your kitchen as it bakes. For an indulgent finishing touch, a luscious whipped cream cheese frosting can be spread on top, adding a creamy sweetness that pairs beautifully with the spiced loaf. Whether you enjoy it plain or frosted, this bread is a showstopper perfect for gifting, sharing, or savoring with a cup of tea on a cozy winter day.

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? While an Amish friendship starter typically calls for instant yeast to get it active, this method replaces the yeast with an active sourdough starter. A portion of the starter is fed with milk, sugar, and flour and used in the recipe.

Additionally, 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!

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.

• Trusted recipe: Gingerbread Amish friendship bread is adapted from my original Amish friendship bread recipe that provides consistent results!

How to make gingerbread Amish friendship bread

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

Ingredients

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 gingerbread Amish friendship bread:

• 200 grams of Amish friendship starter from above
• 226 grams unsalted butter (melted)
• 120 grams milk (warmed)
• 200 grams sugar
• 120 grams molasses
• 3 large eggs (room temperature)
• 8 grams vanilla extract
• 250 grams flour
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Optional add-ins: raisins, dried fruit, or nuts
• For the cinnamon sugar coating: 1/4 cup of sugar & 1 teaspoon of cinnamon

For the whipped cream cheese frosting:

• 4 oz whipped cream cheese room temperature
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
• 1-2 cups powdered sugar (adjust to your preferred sweetness)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

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 on low heat until the butter melts. Set aside to cool.

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

• To a separate bowl add the milk and butter mixture and stir in the Amish starter, sugar, and molasses 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 over-mix. If using nuts 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.

How to make the whipped cream cheese frosting

• The frosting is optional, a dusting of powdered sugar is just fine for gingerbread Amish friendship bread.

• In a large mixing bowl, add the whipped cream cheese and butter.

• Using your electric hand mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter together on medium speed. Mix until they are well combined and have a smooth, creamy texture. This should take about 2-3 minutes.

• Reduce the speed of your hand mixer to low. Slowly add the powdered sugar, about one cup at a time and the cinnamon (if using). This prevents a sugary mess and ensures that the powdered sugar is incorporated evenly into the mixture.

• Continue to blend until the frosting becomes smooth and well combined. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula to ensure even mixing.

• Generously frost each gingerbread loaf, slice & enjoy!

• Frosted gingerbread Amish friendship bread will need to be stored in the refrigerator and can last up to 5 days in an airtight container.

• Gingerbread Amish friendship bread without frosting can last up to 3 days on the counter in an airtight container.

More Amish recipes

• Amish Friendship Bread
• Double Chocolate Amish Bread
• Amish Apple Cider Donut Bread