Homemade Amish Friendship Bread

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Warm, cinnamony, and oh-so-comforting, Homemade Amish Friendship Bread is the kind of old-fashioned treat that brings people together. Baked with a signature starter and filled with the cozy flavors of cinnamon and vanilla, this sweet, moist loaf is the perfect balance of tender crumb and sugary crust. Whether you’re slicing it up for breakfast, sharing it as a gift, or just snacking with coffee, it’s always a hit.

What makes it special isn’t just the taste—it’s the tradition. Amish Friendship Bread is all about sharing. Passed from friend to friend through a living sourdough starter, each loaf carries a little bit of homemade love. It’s a nostalgic bake with modern ease, and it might just become your new favorite.

What Makes Amish Friendship Bread Unique?

The key ingredient is the sourdough starter, which ferments over 10 days and gives the bread a lovely tang and light texture. This starter is meant to be shared, hence the “friendship” in the name. You use some of the starter for your loaf and pass the rest along to others, along with the recipe.

You don’t need to be a baking expert to get this right, either. Once the starter is prepped, it’s as easy as mix, pour, and bake.

Ingredients for the Homemade Amish Friendship Bread

• Amish Friendship Bread Starter: This is the soul of the bread. The starter gives it that signature flavor and rise.
• All-Purpose Flour: The structure-builder. It balances the softness with just enough hold.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the loaf and helps create that golden-brown crust.
• Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture and keeps the bread soft for days.
• Eggs: Provide richness and stability to the batter.
• Milk: Helps create a smooth, pourable batter.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth to the overall flavor.
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: Lift the bread and prevent it from becoming too dense.
• Cinnamon: The heart of that warm, spiced flavor.
• Instant Pudding Mix (Vanilla): Adds extra moisture and sweetness—a little secret weapon for texture.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
• Cinnamon-Sugar Topping: A final dusting that bakes into a crunchy, flavorful crust.

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How To Make the Homemade Amish Friendship Bread

Step 1: Prep Your Starter

If you’re starting from scratch, you’ll need a 10-day fermented Amish starter. On baking day, make sure your starter has been fed and is bubbly. Measure out 1 cup of it for the bread.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of the starter with eggs, sugar, oil, milk, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients

Gently stir in the flour, pudding mix, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Be careful not to overmix. The batter should be thick but pourable.

Step 4: Coat the Pan

Grease two loaf pans and dust with a generous layer of cinnamon-sugar. This helps form the crispy, sweet crust everyone loves.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans and sprinkle more cinnamon-sugar on top. Bake at 325°F for about 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Step 6: Cool and Slice

Let the loaves cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Slice when fully cooled (or slightly warm if you can’t resist).

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How to Store and Serve Amish Friendship Bread

Once cooled, wrap your bread tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. It will stay fresh at room temperature for 3-4 days or up to a week in the fridge. This bread also freezes beautifully—just wrap in foil and freeze for up to 3 months.

Serve it warm with a pat of butter, toasted with cream cheese, or just on its own alongside a cup of coffee. It also makes a thoughtful homemade gift.

What to Serve With Homemade Amish Friendship Bread?

A Hot Cup of Chai Tea

The spices in the tea complement the cinnamon swirl beautifully.

Fresh Berry Compote

Adds a bright, tart contrast to the sweet and spiced loaf.

Cream Cheese Spread

For those who love a rich, tangy bite.

Maple Glazed Bacon

Sweet meets savory, perfect for brunch spreads.

Whipped Butter and Sea Salt

Classic and indulgent. Sometimes simple is best.

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Want More Bread and Baking Ideas?

If you love this Homemade Amish Friendship Bread, you’ll definitely want to check out these other cozy favorites from the kitchen:

• Apple Fritter Bread Recipe — a fruity, cinnamon-packed twist.
• Strawberry Cream Cheese Crumble Cookies — sweet, tangy and beautifully soft.
• Cinnamon Roll Cake — all the gooey magic of rolls, in cake form.
• Cranberry Orange Bread with Simple Glaze — citrusy, festive, and moist.
• Blueberry Lemon Dutch Baby — light and fluffy with a fresh zing.

Save This Pin For Later

Save this delicious idea to your favorite Pinterest board so it’s easy to find when you’re ready to whip it up again.

Tried it with a twist? Maybe added raisins, nuts, or swapped the pudding mix? I’d love to hear your version—share it in the comments below.

Need more inspiration? Explore my daily kitchen creations on SavorQueen.com on Pinterest. Your next favorite might be waiting there.

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