FRIENDSHIP BREAD STARTER

This is a well used and loved bread recipe that has been made countless times.

It never gets old when you try the many variations.

Friendship Bread Starter

2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F)
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 cup warm milk (110 degrees F)

In a small bowl soften yeast in water for 10 minutes. Stir well.

In a 2 quart non-metal container, combine sugar & flour.

Mix thoroughly or flour will lump when milk is added.

Slowly stir in milk & dissolved yeast mixture.

Pour mixture into a gallon sized freezer bag and let stand at room temperature until bubbly.

Consider this day 1 of 10 day cycle.

Cinnamon Bread

IMPORTANT PREPARATION TIPS:
1. Do not use a metal spoon or bowl for mixing.
2. Do not refrigerate.
3. If air gets in bag , let it out.
4. It is normal for batter to thicken, bubble, and ferment.

DAY 1: You mixed or received the fermented batter in a one-gallon size ziplock bag. Do nothing.

Just place the bag on the kitchen counter top.

DAY 2: Squeeze the bag several times.
DAY 3: Squeeze the bag several times.
DAY 4: Squeeze the bag several times.
DAY 5: Squeeze the bag several times.

DAY 6: Add 1 cup plain flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup milk. Squeeze the bag.

DAY 7: Squeeze the bag several times.
DAY 8: Squeeze the bag several times.
DAY 9: Squeeze the bag several times.

DAY 10: In a large non-metal bowl, combine the batter with 1 cup plain flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Mix well.
Pour (4) 1 cup starters into gallon ziplock bags.(1 cup to each ziplock bag.)

Give these 4 starters away to friends or family with a copy of these instructions.

TO THE REMAINING BATTER
Pour into a non-metal mixing bowl.
Add the following ingredients.
1 cup canola oil
2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups plain flour
3 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 large box instant vanilla pudding

Mix well using a wooden or plastic spoon.

In a separate bowl, mix 1 tsp cinnamon and 3 tbsp sugar and sprinkle into 2 well greased loaf pans.

Divide mixture into the loaf pans.

Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour or until done. Test with a toothpick. If you wish, you can add raisins, nuts etc.

See the variations recipes for other tasty options.