← Back to Recipes
Amish Friendship Bread Starter Recipe recipe photo - Amish Friendship Bread Starter Recipe by Jan

Amish Friendship Bread Starter Recipe

Published: August 1, 2025 Prep Time: About 10 minutes Cook Time: 0 minutes Total Time: About 10 minutes Serves: 1 starter Difficulty: Easy Category: Bread Cuisine: Amish

Ingredients

  • 1 package active dry yeast
  • 1/4 cup warm water
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup milk

Instructions

  1. Dissolve yeast in warm water and let stand for 10 minutes
  2. In a large glass bowl, combine flour and sugar
  3. Stir in milk and dissolved yeast
  4. Cover loosely with plastic wrap
  5. Let stand at room temperature for 2-3 days, stirring daily
  6. On day 4, add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk
  7. Stir well and let stand for 2-3 more days
  8. On day 7, add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk
  9. Stir well and let stand for 2-3 more days
  10. On day 10, the starter is ready to use
  11. Remove 1 cup for baking and give away 2 cups to friends
  12. Keep remaining 1 cup to continue the cycle

Special Notes

This Amish friendship bread starter is a tradition that has been passed down for generations. The starter needs to be fed every few days to keep it active. Once you have an active starter, you can use it to make delicious sweet bread. The starter can be stored in the refrigerator and fed weekly, or frozen for longer storage. This is a wonderful way to share homemade bread with friends and family.

← Back to Recipes