Amish Friendship Bread

[ORChick]

I can't say about the specific starter for Amish Friendship bread, as I have never used it, but for regular sourdough starter - the kind that is just flour and water and wild yeast - you can dry it. Smear some of it very thinly on a piece of wax paper or plastic wrap, and leave it to dry. Use an oven that has a pilot light, or turn on the oven to its lowest temp., and leave the door partly open, or use a dehydrator at a very low temp. If you live in a dry climate just leaving it on the counter should be OK. The point is to dry it quickly and at a low temperature, so as not to kill the yeasts. When dry and brittle break it into small pieces, wrap air and moisture tight, and store in the freezer; this is good as a backup, in case your "real" starter has problems someday. I would dry a new batch every 6 months or so to make sure it is viable. The dry chips can also be sent through the mail, well wrapped. If you haven't tried this before I would suggest drying some, and then reconstituting it in room temp. water mixed with some flour (leaving overnight to check that it still acts like sourdough) to check its viability before sending any off to friends. You don't need to dry very much; you only need a little to innoculate your flour/water mixture. It might be worth the experiment to see if it works with the special starter.

 

[gumpsgirl]

I just wanted to let you know that I found a starter recipe on Allrecipes.com for this bread!!! I'm so excited! I started some this morning. I will let you know how it works.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

You can freeze or Refridge the starters for the Amish friendship bread I do it all the time...I just use quart freezer ziplock bags....

 

[Cheryl]

My MIL sent me the amish starter several years ago...at the time she was in CA and I was in MA...it made it just fine. Just send it first class nor if you're worried, faster!

 

[kbarrett]

Thanks for all the advice! I stuck 2 in the freezer and will trying mailing a few after the next round of baking. We'll see what happens

 

[mangled]

Excellent!!

Since the directions said not to refrigerate, I took it at that. It's good to know I can, I can always vacuum seal a starter or three (when no one wants any

) and keep them for the holidays.

Em

 

[mmajw]

My mother has bags of it in her freezer

 

[mangled]

I just finished baking my starter today, and have frozen three of the four extras I had.

I changed the recipe up this time, using the chunky homestyle applesauce to halve the oil, and 1/4 c quick oats, 1/4 c mini chocolate chips, 1/4 c raisins, and 1/4 chopped walnuts. I used the chocolate pudding this time.

If you do it this way, you may have to add about 1/8 to 1/4 c extra flour. It's pretty humid today, so I had to add to get the batter dry enough to bake.

I used the cupcake pans, and it made 16 nice sized cup cakes. The kids are quiet and eating warm Amish bread cupcakes with butter.

Em

 

[Guitartists]

I have compiled a recipe book for Amish friendship bread (from the interent etc).... I'd be more than happy to email anyone a copy who would like one. It's a Microsoft word document. Just drop me a PM and I will get a copy out to ya!

 

[gumpsgirl]

Quote:
Yesterday was day 10 for my Amish Friendship Bread starter. IT WORKED! I am so excited and it was so wonderful! My sister now has a starter and some of my bread I baked. She liked it too! Here is the link for the starter recipe for anyone who wants it.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Amish-Friendship-Bread-Starter/Detail.aspx