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Shortcut Amish Friendship Bread
This Amish friendship bread recipe with pudding makes a delicious breakfast or snack!
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- YIELDS
- 2 loaves
- COOK TIME
- 55 Min
We put a shortcut twist on the time-honored recipe for Amish Friendship Bread. Instead of passing around a starter, our Shortcut Amish Friendship Bread recipe makes enough for two loaves, so you can just call your friends and invite them over to enjoy the finished product!
What You'll Need
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 3/4 cups sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 (4-serving-size) package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
What to Do
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Coat two 9- x 5-inch loaf pans with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pudding mix; set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk milk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Stir liquid mixture into flour mixture and combine well. Evenly divide mixture into 2 loaf pans.
- Bake 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out dry. Let cool 15 minutes, then invert and finish cooling on wire rack.
Notes
- We've got even more easy Amish recipes for you to enjoy. Just check out our collections: Amish Recipes for Breakfast, and Classic Amish Casserole Recipes.
- We think the Shortcut Amish Friendship Bread is the perfect gift to give along with a hug on National Hugging Day. Click here to learn more about this internationally-recognized holiday!
Did You Know? Some people refer to Amish Friendship Bread as an "edible chain letter" because of how it is passed along and shared. It begins with a starter (dough) of flour, sugar, yeast, and water or milk. Then, it is left to ferment. After almost two weeks, the starter is divided into four equal parts. The baker keeps one part for themselves, and then shares the other three parts with friends, and they repeat the process with what they are given. The cool thing is, with the starter you can make other baked goods besides friendship bread like muffins, cakes, or biscuits. It's the gift that keeps on giving!
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radcliffjbird 6368110
Feb 11, 2019
I absolutely love this recipe and so easy to make! I added one cup of raisins and will be making this often!
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deu152 4705084
Sep 01, 2016
Baked this twice, but used brown sugar instead of regular sugar. Tasted great. I didn't use the pudding.
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csb1955 5990795
Jan 05, 2016
I have made the original version and I like to substitute different flavors of pudding. I love lemon with mace and chocolate.
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catherinethegreat3 8931210
Dec 22, 2015
I have this recipe ..now about 5 times and it is great! Just as it is!!!!
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ShellyTriesToCook
Sep 06, 2015
This bread is a sweet and yummy quick bread. I didnt even get out my electric mixer to make, you can whisk and stir by hand.
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dromige 9150660
Aug 30, 2015
Loved the name of the bread and it's easy to make but I found it very heavy..I will change the amount of oil next time and try some apple sauce..flavour was good, just found it too dense.
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issyandgreg 7575787
Feb 09, 2015
What can I use instead of the pudding mix or can someone tell me the british equivalent pudding mix. Thank you )
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Test Kitchen Team
Feb 09, 2015
Hello - Unfortunately, we have not tested this recipe using any other substitutes. However, we think applesauce may work. If you do try it using a substitute, we'd love to hear how it turns out!
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tarajanect
Feb 07, 2015
What can I sub for the instant vanilla pudding mix?
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dlwhite 5766475
Jan 04, 2016
You can mix 3 Tablespoons of Corn Starch with 1/4 cup of sugar and a cup of the milk or water (that you were going to use to prepare the pudding mix). Heat it in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until it thickens. Let cool briefly, add remaining 1/4 cup of cold milk and oil and/or applesauce to cool it down more, then add to the recipe.
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marblslost 6724619
Feb 07, 2015
This looks so yummy and easy - could it still be made using a gluten free flour (such as oat), adding a touch of xanthum gum?
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Test Kitchen Team
Feb 09, 2015
We haven't tried making a gluten-free version of this recipe, so we're not sure if this would work. There may be a difference in the texture. If you do give it a try, we'd love to hear how it turned out!
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Ladybug627
Jan 21, 2015
I have made the original Amish Friendship Bread recipe many times with some modifications Use half the suggested oil and half unsweetened (but not chunky) apple sauce. Gives the volume and moisture but lots less fat! I also add about 1 cup of toasted pecans (coarsely chopped) to the batter and lightly sugar the baking pans with coarse (raw) sugar after greasing them. These changes should work well with this version of the recipe. I'll be making it again soon! -)
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Easy2SaveBlog
Dec 16, 2014
This sounds like it is really moist.
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HeyJude910
Dec 15, 2014
I have made this and will be making it again. It is hard to tell the difference between this one and the one using the Amish starter mix.
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ladyleanneg 0935841
Dec 15, 2014
This sounds like a wonderful bread recipe.
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ralaspazza 8238297
Dec 15, 2014
Looks good! I will have to try it
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busdvr 0271539
Dec 15, 2014
looks good and sounds very good
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gabichris 4783389
Dec 15, 2014
I plan on trying this over the holiday.
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Member 7584591
Dec 15, 2014
I have never tried Amish Friendship Bread, but I always see these recipes for it that sound delicious. One of these days I will have to give it a try. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
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kathypease 3125496
Dec 15, 2014
This looks delicious and not too complicated
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eswright18 8233460
Dec 15, 2014
I want to try this. It sounds wonderful.
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adievert 4688921
Dec 15, 2014
I have tried this before. It was quite good but have not made on a while. Maybe I will after the holiday.
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rachelzenor 5431632
Feb 26, 2014
I really enjoyed this recipe and so did my husband! I only had one loaf pan so I put the rest of the batter in muffin tins and pulled them out of the oven sooner! Will be making this again and it was pretty easy to make!
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ghall2525 2840809
Jan 22, 2014
I have done this and with many variations... chocolate fudge pudding w/ choc chips orange cranberry pistachio lemon white chocolate w/ white chips coconut cream french vanilla / butterscotch chips the ideas are endless... I also have a cookie recipe (sourdough starter needed) this never lasts around our house
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mrsjgdewald 1921758
Sep 06, 2013
My family always made the starters for friendship bread when I was growing up. Although it would only be, maybe, twice a year. Since I don't live around my family anymore, I miss it. But, like others, my neighbors don't want the responsibility of the starters! I am happy that someone found a way to make it just for one recipe!! I will be making this SOON!!!! Thank you!!
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marslaura 5504451
Nov 10, 2013
I'm curious if enough people would be interested in trying to do a starter "swap" of sorts. If we all lived in the US and used the post office priority mail service it would likely work as days 2-5 are "stir" days. If anyone is interested please email me at marslaura@ymail.com and put amish starter in subject line. If you don't get a reply within 3-4 days please resend as sometimes the filters send stuff direct to trash:( I have some starter going now.
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frhrwa 0784711
May 26, 2013
I also put nuts and raisins, sometimes cranberries in mine.. and sprinkle a cinnamon/sugar mix on the top of it.. Its great hot w/butter, but my preference is wrapping it in tin foil, freezing it, then the next day or later that week, slice off a piece and eat it frozen.. its great that way!
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ggpagma 5259890
May 22, 2013
Great and easy. Going to try my next bread with coconut pudding. A friend said she used butterscotch and love it. I used the hazelnut spread on mine too.
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Linda13
Apr 20, 2013
I really like the friendship bread & have tried making it for just myself without all the started stuff. I agree with others that after awhile your friend don't want it. I am looking forward to trying this. As others have said, you can add so many of the things you like. Thank you for the recipe
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barbaramarsh 5173746
Mar 18, 2013
How do I get the recipe beside going back and click each time?
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mommydearst44 5957942
Feb 08, 2013
Wonderful, and super easy to make, just LOVE it!
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Softbreeze
Feb 07, 2013
I agree with cowgirlrule5475. This taste almost extacly like the bread you make with the starter but without having to make the starter. I don't know about many of you but after a while friends don't want any more starter and it goes to waste. It is not bland, you should give it a try before you pass judgement on something you have not even tasted! Will make again.
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cowgirlsrule5475
Feb 05, 2013
Very close to the original Amish Bread without having to deal with the starter. You could do so much with this recipe. Like adding fruit or a cinnamon sugar mix to the top and in the pan before baking. It's a bit lighter than the original. Nice quick easy bread! Will be making this again!
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spencer1212 6544910
Jan 31, 2013
I like having the choice of a qiuck version of this recipe. I added the sugar and cinnamon as pam2859 2295763 did. Close, but not as dense as the 10 day version. I also made it with a 6-sevrving size vanilla pudding, 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla and added 1/2 C. hazelnut spread and 1C chopped walnuts. Husband and grandkids liked that! (i did not use the cinnamon-sugar mixture with the hazlenut recipe.)
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kayhembree 0633296
Nov 19, 2012
This sounds great! Is there anyone that has a recipe for the potato bread starter and feed. I've tried to make the starter before but once the starter was fed and bread made, it didn't seem to rise much. I use to make this and ended up getting rid of my starter. I would love to make it again. Help please.
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nanarabbit 7413838
Jan 23, 2013
I found the starter recipie on: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/amish-friendship-bread-starter/ looks like the one I started with 20 years ago, but I don't see any potato in it, sorry. However, if you search Amish Friendship Bread Starter, a bunch comes up. Good Luck!
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velmarhickey 4003562
Sep 24, 2012
I wouild like to see the Nutritional Values for your recipes.
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Thelma 875
Sep 24, 2012
I like the idea of a "quick" version of this. I felt like I wasted so much when I did the 10-day version...not everyone wants the starter, and my kids didn't want it all of the time. I'm anxious to give it a try!
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pam28594 2295763
Sep 23, 2012
I make my own "starter" and bake friendship bread every 10 days. This looks like it may be pretty close to the base recipe, but the possibilities are endless on the variations you can make by simply changing the flavor of extracts you use, different flavors of "Instant Puddings" and fruits and nuts. Flavors such as Banana Nut, Blueberry, Lemon-Poppy, Orange, Strawberry, Raspberry Dark Chocolate, Cinnamon Raisin, Pumpkin, Cranberry Orange, Apple Cinnamon, etc...... Mix 1 cup sugar and three tablespoons of cinnamon together. After you have sprayed your 2 loaf pans with cooking spray, coat the bottom and sides with the cinnamon sugar you have made. Pour in your batter and sprinkle more of the cinnamon sugar on top. It make a terrific crust on the bottom and top.
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kayhembree 0633296
Nov 19, 2012
would you mind posting or sending me your "starter" recipe and the "feed" recipe ?? Did you make this with potato flakes? I use to make the bread with the potatos but someone gave me the starter and after about a year, I threw it away. I would love to have it again.
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kkkopelmn 5445806
Nov 19, 2012
Would sure love to get that starter. With the holidays here and all the kids I would be using this economic way of satisfying everybody.
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bjohnst
Dec 04, 2012
Don't know if this will help, but here is the link to an amish starter at Allrecipes. http://allrecipes.com/recipe/amish-friendship-bread-starter/
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claudia1111
Sep 22, 2012
This is more like a quick bread. I've made the sourdough starter and used it as Friendship bread.
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bob0149225
Sep 22, 2012
It sounds delicious but I question the name. Amish Friendship Bread is a variation on sourdough starter and completely different from this recipe.
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revjoannrom828 7013365
Sep 22, 2012
This was very good. I made some healthy adjustments to it and made it in smaller loaf pans. Used 2 cups Wheat Pastry Flour 3/4 c Almond flour, 1cup white sugar (use brown sugar next time), 1box sugar free instant vanilla pudding mix, 1 1/4 c almond milk, 1/2c apple sauce 1/2 c canola oil. Everything else stayed the same.
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lindar21740 9669447
Sep 22, 2012
no,no,no - at the top of the page, hit print. When your print screen comes up, click on the radio button for "Pages", and type in "1". This will give you just the recipe without all the extraneous stuff on the screen
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Shorty61
Sep 22, 2012
Does this really turn out like the Friendship Cake. I remember it as having a yeasty taste. And it wasn't baked in a loaf pan. Just wondering.
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i luv 2 cook
Sep 09, 2012
To print a recipe go up to the top of your screen and click under file and then print or print preview and then print.
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Brig421
Sep 08, 2012
I've made this recipe many times in the past. I've used applesause in place of the oil and fruit juice in place of milk. Also, try adding any combination of diced apples, raisins, zucchini, shredded carrots and nuts. My husband loves pecans or walnuts. Very moist, flavorful and delicious.
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moonbeam 6459046
Sep 08, 2012
Yes! I agree with jwalker. It does sound bland. I think that I would use orange juice or pineapple juice in place of the milk. I have done this with zucchini muffinbs and my bfamily just loved the change.
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pvcarte 7578276
Sep 07, 2012
To print just the recipe, you should be able to highlight just the recipe and hit control P to print. When the print que comes up, select print "selection" and that should do it.
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jwalker 1706910
Sep 07, 2012
sounds kinda bland....can you add sliced apples to the batter?
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schelen 3487133
Sep 07, 2012
I CANNOT PRINT A RECIPE WITHOUT PRINTING THE WHOLE PAGE
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Turptoo
Sep 07, 2012
Highlight the part you want to print. Hit Ctrl c znd then go to a blank word page and hit ctrl v. It should copy it there and you can either same it or copy it or both.
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i luv 2 cook
Sep 09, 2012
Sometimes if you click on the print button above the recipe it will print the whole page and a lot of useless information, so just go to the top of your screen and click on file and then click on print or print preview (I prefer the preview first because it gives me a chance to enlarge or reduce the size of the sheet) and then click print.
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