Simpler Amish friendship bread recipe?

March 21, 2009 5:55 PM

Simpler recipe for Amish friendship bread?

I made a bath of Amish friendship bread after my sister gave me a starter kit. I absolutely loved the bread, but I didn't love the whole 10 day process I had to go through. I especially didn't like the day I forgot the mush around the ziploc bag the dough was in and then I had dough all over my counter...

Is there an easier recipe that produces a similar type of bread? I didn't think it had that much of a sourdough taste to it, the cinnamon was the main ingredient I tasted.

Can anyone help me out on an easier way to get the same result?

posted by Becko to Food & Drink (2 answers total)

Why not try it without the starter?

Instead of waiting the 10 days for a sour-tasting starter, proof 1 shy T of yeast in about a cup of lukewarm (90-100 degrees F) water or milk with a little bit of sugar. It should be bubbly in about 10 minutes; if not, try it with new yeast or try the same yeast with a lower-temp liquid.

What you need is the starter, which the proofed yeast should give you. Then you can go on with the recipe as you would normally.

FWIW, I was given some starter by an Amish woman I knew. Bag, check. Explosion, check. I began my own starter in a covered and vented ceramic crock and stirring it was much easier that way. Plus, no mess on the counter.
posted by MonkeyToes at 6:39 PM on March 21, 2009

Time is of essence because of the fermentation process. You can't cut it down. It's what gives it it's flavor. Just like friendship, these things take time to develop......
posted by watercarrier at 6:16 AM on March 22, 2009