Amish Friendship Bread Starter

I love Amish Friendship bread but usually only for about two months. After that, I am sick of it. You see, you make two loaves every 10 days. And if you don't give away your starters like you're supposed to, you're making three times that. Which is great if you want to freeze the bread, or give as gifts.

But I had to find a way to make less.

The basic is this- I'll give you the full starter recipe, and you can decide to make it all, or quarter it so you only have to worry about yourself right off the bat. Of course, you'll still have to deal with the Amish Math in 10 days, but I've already posted on that!

Amish Friendship Bread Starter:
1/4 c Warm Water (110° F)
1 pkg Active Dry Yeast
1 c EACH Flour & Sugar
1 C warm milk (110° F)

IMPORTANT- DO NOT USE ANYTHING METAL! No metal spoons. No metal bowls.
Plastic, wood or glass only!

In a glass measuring cup,  add yeast to warm water. Let the yeast dissolve (about 8 minutes), then stir.
In a separate bowl (remember NOT metal) mix flour and sugar and slowly add warm milk.
Once incorporated, add yeast. Mix well.

At this point, you should really divide the basic starter into 4 equal portions (about 3/4 c ea) and put three of them into 3 1-gallon plastic baggies and give to friends with the Amish Friendship Bread rules directions.
But how often is this really necessary? And how many friends do you really have? Because let's be honest here, if you make the starter, then make the bread like you're supposed to, you have three starters every 10 days. Who's got a jazillion friends?

No, what I do is quarter the starter recipe. Yup. Quarter it. I use 1/16th c warm water and 1/4 pkg  yeast and 1/4 c flour, sugar and milk.

If you have problems with measurement conversions- Robbie's Kitchen is a great website.

So that's it. That's what I do.
Oh, what? Ooooohhh, you want to know what to do with the starter once it's made?

Simple. Leave it on the counter in a gallon-sized baggie.
Yes, you heard me! Leave it! :P
This is where the 10 days comes in. Want that part, too? Okie Dokie-

Day 1- this is the day you make your starter (or get one given to you). Put baggie on counter.
Day 2- Mush the bag. Let out any air, reseal.
Day 3- Mush the bag. Let out any air, reseal.
Day 4- Mush the bag. Let out any air, reseal.
Day 5- Mush the bag. Let out any air, reseal.
Day 6- add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup milk. Mush the bag. Reseal.
Day 7- Mush the bag. Let out any air, reseal.
Day 8- Mush the bag. Let out any air, reseal.
Day 9- Mush the bag. Let out any air, reseal.
Day 10- Follow the rest of the instructions!

Oh, wait, you don't have those either? Okay- here goes:

Pour starter into glass, plastic or wooden mixing bowl.
Add 1 1/2 cups EACH flour, sugar & milk. Mix together well.
This is where you then divvy up the mix into four 1cup starters and put into four 1-gallon baggies and give to friends. And if you remember, you can see my post about Amish Math!

Preheat oven to 350° and to your remaining batter add-

3 eggs
1 c oil
1/2 c milk
1 t vanilla
1 1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 cups flour
1 Lg box vanilla instant pudding
Pinch or two of salt

Mix together and pour into two greased (and cinnamon sugared) bread pans.
Then add a bit of cinnamon sugar on top of bread before baking.
Bake for 1 hour or until knife comes out clean.

You can alter the recipe to your liking. Maybe you like chocolate pudding? Or butterscotch? However you want.
I've heard there is an alternate recipe if you don't have instant pudding in the house. I have just never read the recipe or tried it. So if you need to, google it!
Happy Baking!