Amish Friendship Cinnamon Bread

If you’ve finished the process of making your Amish Friendship Bread starter, this is going to be the first bread you want to make with it. It’s an absolute classic and it never seems to stick around long in our house. We can barely get it out of the pan before it’s devoured! It’s reminiscent of a coffee cake and has the most divine cinnamon sugar flavor, but you don’t need to go to all the trouble of making a filling and a crumb top.

This is a quick bread that everyone should have in their recipe file, hands down. It’s a simple bread, but it’s totally delicious in its simplicity. It has the most amazing crunchy sugary crust and a soft and moist center. And it mixes up in one bowl! There just aren’t enough words to describe how delicious it is.

If you don’t have an Amish Friendship Bread Starter, you can find the steps to the process here. Amish Friendship Bread starter is a sweet sourdough starter that you make by mixing together some flour, milk, sugar, and yeast and leaving it at room temperature to ferment. The process takes ten days but involves little more than occasionally feeding the starter with more milk, sugar, and flour, and mixing the starter up every once in a while. On the tenth day, you divide the starter up into one cup portions to give to friends. It’s a wonderful base for all kinds of breads and other baked goods as well as a lovely gift to pass from friend to friend.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Amish Friendship Cinnamon Bread is beloved for its incredibly simple preparation and irresistible flavor. The cinnamon sugar creates a delightful crunchy crust, while the bread itself remains tender and moist. The recipe is versatile, allowing you to share not only the bread but the starter, engaging in a tradition of baking and sharing with friends.

Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need

• Mixing bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons
• 2 9×5-inch loaf pans
• Whisk or electric mixer
• Wire rack for cooling

Ingredients

• 1 cup Amish Friendship Bread starter
• 2 cups flour
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup oil
• 1 cup sugar, divided
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon, divided
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 small box vanilla instant pudding

Step-by-step Instructions for Preparing the Recipe

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F. Lightly grease two 9×5-inch loaf pans with non-stick spray.
2. In a small bowl, mix together 1/2 cup of the sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Dust the greased pans with half of this cinnamon/sugar mixture. Set the remaining mixture aside.
3. In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients except the reserved cinnamon/sugar mixture. Mix well until smooth.
4. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pans.
5. Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon/sugar mixture over the top of the batter in the pans.
6. Bake for approximately 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Let the bread cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips for Success

• Ensure your starter is active and bubbly before using it in the recipe.
• Be sure to mix the cinnamon and sugar well to achieve an even coating on the bread.
• Allow the bread to cool slightly before removing it from the pan to maintain its shape.

Additional Tips and Variations

For a twist, you can add nuts or raisins to the batter for extra texture. You can also experiment with different flavors of instant pudding such as butterscotch or chocolate for a unique taste.

Nutritional Highlights (Per Serving)

This bread provides a delightful indulgence, offering a balance of carbohydrates and fats to give you energy. Each serving is a treat, so enjoy in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I freeze this bread?
A: Yes, this bread freezes well. Wrap it in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Q: What if I don’t have a starter?
A: You can start your own Amish Friendship Bread starter. The process is simple and a great way to share with friends.

Conclusion

There you have it—an incredibly easy yet delicious Amish Friendship Cinnamon Bread recipe. We hope you try it out and experience the joy of baking and sharing this delightful bread. We’d love to hear about your baking adventures, so feel free to share your experiences in the comments below!