Amish Friendship Bread Starter

This is the legendary Amish friendship bread starter that gets passed from neighbor to neighbor. Dissolve yeast in warm water, then add flour, sugar, and warm milk. The mixture ferments and develops flavor over time, fed every few days to keep the yeast active and happy.

Once established, you can use portions of the starter to bake sweet, cake-like Amish friendship bread. The rest gets divided and shared with friends along with instructions to keep the cycle going.

Kitchen Tips

• Keep it warm: Store starter at room temperature (not refrigerated) so yeast stays active and bubbling
• Feed on schedule: Mark your calendar to feed starter every 3-5 days with flour, sugar, and milk as directed
• Don’t use metal: Use glass or ceramic bowls and wooden spoons; metal can react with the acidic starter