Ingredients

1 cup Amish Friendship Bread starter

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup granulated sugar

1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

2 large eggs

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup granulated sugar (for cinnamon sugar)

1 teaspoon cinnamon (for cinnamon sugar)

2 tablespoons butter (for greasing pans)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease two standard loaf pans with butter and then coat them evenly with the cinnamon sugar mixture (made from 1/4 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon), tapping out any excess.

Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the Amish Friendship Bread starter, eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth.

Step 3: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, instant vanilla pudding mix, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon.

Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.

Step 5: Pour half of the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pans.

Step 6: Sprinkle a generous layer of the cinnamon sugar mixture over the batter in each pan.

Step 7: Pour the remaining batter on top of the cinnamon sugar layer, then finish by sprinkling more cinnamon sugar over the surface.

Step 8: Use a knife to gently swirl the batter layers to create a marbled effect without mixing fully.

Step 9: Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 10: Let the bread cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Tips & Variations

For extra moisture, substitute half of the vegetable oil with applesauce.

Try adding 1/2 cup of chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the batter for added texture and flavor.

If you don’t have an Amish Friendship Bread starter, you can use a sourdough starter or omit it and increase the baking powder slightly.

FAQs

What is Amish Friendship Bread starter?

Amish Friendship Bread starter is a fermented mixture of flour, sugar, water, and yeast or bacteria that creates a sweet, tangy base similar to sourdough. It’s used to make moist, flavorful bread and can be shared among friends.

Can I make this bread without the pudding mix?

Yes, you can omit the instant vanilla pudding mix, but it adds moisture and a subtle vanilla flavor. If skipping it, you might want to slightly increase the flour and adjust liquids for texture.