Amish Friendship Bread

You need a cup of live yeast starter for this. There are good sourdough starter recipes on Zaar. Important Note: Don't use metal spoons or equipment. Do not refrigerate. Use only glazed ceramic or plastic bowls or containers. For more variations to the original bread recipe, see www.armchair.com/recipe/amish/amshvar2.html or www.armchair.com/recipe/amish/amishvar.html

• Ready In: 241 hrs
• Serves: 20-24

Ingredients

• For the starter

• 1  cup  amish starter or 1  cup  sourdough starter
• 3  cups flour (divided)
• 3  cups sugar (divided)
• 3  cups milk (divided)

• For the Last Day of the Starter

• 1  cup canola oil
• 1⁄2 cup milk
• 3  eggs
• 1  teaspoon vanilla

• To Make 2 Loaves of Bread

• 2  cups flour
• 1  cup sugar
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2  teaspoons cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 (5 1/8ounce) box instant vanilla pudding
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1  cup  nuts, chopped

Directions

1. Day 1: Do nothing with the starter.
2. Days 2-5: Stir with a wooden spoon.
3. Day 6: Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk. Stir with a wooden spoon.
4. Days 7-9: Stir with a wooden spoon.
5. Day 10: Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Stir. Take out 3 cups and place 1 cup each into three separate plastic containers. Give one cup and a copy of this recipe to three friends.
6. To the balance (a little over one cup) of the batter, add the ingredients from "For the Last Day of the Starter" and mix well.
7. Mix the ingredients "To Make 2 Loaves of Bread" and add to wet ingredients.
8. Mix and pour into two well greased and sugared bread pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour.