Amish Friendship Bread…Round 1!

I received an Amish Friendship bread starter a while back and have so far managed not to kill it. Baking every ten days is a little challenging, as is finding good recipes, something other than the standard chock-full-of sugar and cinnamon recipe that comes with the starter. Fortunately for me, I have a very talented sister who likes to bake and has come up with some yummy alternatives! So, in the interest of sharing all this fresh baked goodness, I have received permission to publish some of her original recipes here.

First up… Minty Chocolate! My kids love this one, as for me… I’m willing to force a piece or two (or ten) down int the interest of not letting it go to waste!

You’ll need to start with 2 cups of “starter batter“. If you don’t have any, you can make your own with this recipe. That stuff about only the Amish knowing how to make a starter…it’s garbage. Trust me anyone can do it! Also, the traditional recipe makes enough starter for you to bake with, keep one for yourself and give away to three friends! This was fun the first few times, but then I ran out of friends to pawn it off on, so my mom helped me figure out how to reduce the recipe so that you’ll only have enough to bake with and keep one for yourself. Thanks mom! My friends thank you too! Here’s what you do: on day five instead of adding one cup of flour, sugar and milk you add only 1/3 cup of each. Then on day ten (baking day) instead of adding 1 1/2 cups of each you again reduce to 1/2 cup. You’ll still set aside 1 cup of starter for yourself and use the remaining starter to bake with. I know that’s a little confusing, but if you read it again real careful, it does make sense, I promise!

The recipe: Amish Friendship Bread Minty Chocolate, by Denise Johnson

1. Preheat oven to 325°.
2. To 2 cups starter batter, add:
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup oil (or 1/2 cup oil and 1/2 cup applesauce)
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tsp. cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 cup flour
• 1 large box instant “chocolate” pudding or 2 small boxes
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
3. Grease and flour 2 large loaf pans.
4. Pour the batter evenly into the 2 pans. Sprinkle loaf tops with another 1/2 cup chocolate chips.
5. Bake 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in center come out clean. Cool until bread loosens from
pan evenly (about 10 minutes).
6. Turn out onto serving dish. Serve warm or cold.
Enjoy!

Next up…Banana Nut!