This is a delicious and very popular yeast-based bread.
The "Amish Friendship" aspect comes from the idea that there is a starter base, which has active yeast in it, and the starter needs to be "fed" every few days. As the starter grows and you get more than you need, you are supposed to share it with friends so they can make their own bread. Details for how to start your own starter are below.
For the bread itself:
1 cup starter mixture
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup sugar
3 eggs ("fertils" removed)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp cinnamon
2 cups flour
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3-oz package butterscotch instant pudding (can use vanilla)
1/2 to 1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl, combine starter mixture, oil. sugar, eggs and vanilla extract. Set aside. In a separate bowl, combine cinnamon, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and pudding mix. Combine the two mixtures until thoroughly blended. Stir in nuts. Grease baking pan and dust with cinnamon sugar. I prefer to use a bundt pan, but you can also use two 9x4 inch loaf pans. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan for 15 minutes before removing from pan to cool completely.
Cooking with a yeast starter requires precision and top-hygenic conditions. Here we see Ruth in her self-fashioned PPE while she stirs up a batch. Surgical gloves optional.
To make the starter:
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup milk
1 package yeast (not quick-rising)
Combine all ingredients in a non-metal container (glass or plastic) and place in a cool, dark place -- such as inside a cabinet. But don't refrigerate.
Important: don't use a metal spoon or anything metal with the starter!
Day 1: Do nothing.
Days 2,3,4: Stir starter with a wooden spoon.
Day 5: Add 1 cup each: sugar, flour, milk.
Days 6-9: Stir with a wooden spoon.
Day 10: Add 1 cup each: sugar, flour, milk.
Divide the starter into 1 cup portions (should be four cups). You should give three of these to friends, and keep one for yourself either to make bread (see above) or to renew the starter process
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