Friendship Bread
Warm, comforting, and steeped in tradition, Friendship Bread is more than just a recipe—it's a delightful experience meant to be shared. This beloved treat starts with a tangy, ten-day fermented starter that’s nurtured and passed along to create bonds and delicious memories. The moist, tender bread is vibrantly spiced with cinnamon, enriched with vanilla, and customizable with optional add-ins like crunchy nuts or plump raisins. Perfectly golden and wonderfully aromatic, each bite of Friendship Bread carries hints of sweet nostalgia and a connection to generations-old baking traditions. Whether enjoyed fresh from the oven or given as a heartfelt gift, this versatile recipe is sure to bring joy to any table. Make it a family project or a way to surprise your loved ones—the real secret ingredient is the love you share!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 2 cups Granulated sugar
- 2 cups Milk
- 2 cups All-purpose flour (for baking)
- 1 cup Granulated sugar (for baking)
- 1.5 teaspoons Baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoons Baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoons Salt
- 2 teaspoons Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 2 Eggs
- 0.67 cups Vegetable oil
- 0.5 cups Milk (additional for baking)
- 1 cup Starter batter
- 0.5 cups Nuts (optional)
- 0.5 cups Raisins (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the starter by combining 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk in a large non-metal bowl. Mix well and cover loosely with a clean towel. Let it sit at room temperature for 10 days, stirring once daily.
Step 2: On Day 1 (the day you make the starter), do nothing but stir. Days 2 through 4, continue stirring once daily. On Day 5, feed the starter by adding 1 more cup each of flour, sugar, and milk. Stir well.
Step 3: Days 6 through 9, stir the starter once daily. On Day 10, feed the starter again with 1 more cup each of flour, sugar, and milk. This completes the starter. Measure 1 cup to use for the bread and set aside or refrigerate the remaining starter to share with friends or continue the cycle.
Step 4: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and grease two 9x5-inch loaf pans.
Step 5: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1.5 teaspoons baking powder, 0.5 teaspoons baking soda, 0.5 teaspoons salt, and 2 teaspoons cinnamon.
Step 6: In another mixing bowl, combine 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 eggs, 0.67 cups vegetable oil, 0.5 cups milk, and 1 cup starter batter. Mix until smooth.
Step 7: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. If desired, fold in 0.5 cups nuts and/or 0.5 cups raisins for added texture and flavor.
Step 8: Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared loaf pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula.
Step 9: Bake in the preheated oven for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 10: Remove the pans from the oven and let the bread cool for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer the loaves to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
7251 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 236.7 g | 303% | |
| Saturated Fat | 38.7 g | 194% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 90.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 426 mg | 142% | |
| Sodium | 3860 mg | 168% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 1202.4 g | 437% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 33.2 g | 119% | |
| Total Sugars | 692.7 g | ||
| Protein | 122.0 g | 244% | |
| Vitamin D | 8.7 mcg | 43% | |
| Calcium | 1153 mg | 89% | |
| Iron | 31.9 mg | 177% | |
| Potassium | 3148 mg | 67% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
