Amish Friendship Bread

Before I got Kristan's recipe for the sourdough starter she uses, I found this one I had gotten from a friend at work. I started it 4 days ago and it is sitting on my counter doing it's thing. Tomorrow is Day 5 so I will have to feed it. This starter makes a very sweet bread, almost like cake.........it rocks! I'm going to try the sourdough next!!

Here's the recipe for the starter, or if you'd like at Day 10 I'll have some to freeze or give away!!

Starter: 1 pkg (.25 oz) active yeast pkg dissolved in 1/4 c. very warm (110 degree) water
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup milk ( i warmed this too, just barely warm)

Mix all these together in a non-metal container, can be placed in a gallon sized ziploc storage bag.

Day 1 make starter
Day 2 stir ( if in ziploc bag open bag to let out excess air that builds up then close and mash bag)
Day 3 stir ( or vent and mash bag)
Day 4 stir ( vent/mash bag)
Day 5 add 1cup milk, 1cup sugar and 1cup flour and stir/mash bag (Will be lumpy it's ok)
Day 6 stir (vent/mash bag)
Day 7 stir (vent/mash bag)
Day 8 stir (vent/mash bag)
Day 9 stir (vent/mash bag)
Day 10 place in non-metal bowl, Add 1cup milk, 1cup flour, 1cup sugar and stir. Remove 1cup starter to make bread ( or 2 to double recipe) Keep 1cup starter to continue and give the rest away or freeze in 1 cup portions.

Bread recipe:
1 cup starter
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 - 1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 box (5.1 oz) instant vanilla pudding
1/2 tsp salt
optional : 1 cup nuts

I have made tons of variations with this.............cranberry/orange with orange zest and craisins.........i've mashed bananas and used banana pudding and walnuts for banana nut bread. ........i read one option using chocolate pudding and mashed banana that sounds good........I'm going to do lemon pudding with poppyseeds this time..........I also grease the pan and instead of flouring it, I sugar it...........makes a crisp sweet crust.

This makes enough for 2 loaf pans...........Bake at 325 for 1 hour.