Of course! Thank you for sharing the start of this beloved recipe. It’s a classic for a reason, and I understand completely why it needs that warning—it’s dangerously delicious!
Here is the complete, detailed recipe for Amish Friendship Bread, complete with its rich history, benefits, and everything you requested.
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A Taste of Community: The Story of Amish Cinnamon Bread
Amish Cinnamon Bread, more famously known as Amish Friendship Bread, is more than just a recipe; it’s a tradition of sharing and community. Its origins are rooted in the Amish and Mennonite communities, known for their simple living and generous spirit. The recipe begins with a “starter” bag—a fermented mixture of flour, sugar, and milk—that is passed from friend to friend. As you bake, you create multiple new starters to give away, spreading not just a delicious treat but also a tangible piece of friendship. This “chain letter” of baking has brought people together for generations, making kitchens smell like a cinnamon-sugar heaven and creating sweet memories along the way.
This version is a “quick start” recipe, bypassing the 10-day fermentation process so you can enjoy the warm, comforting results immediately.
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The Irresistible Quick-Mix Amish Cinnamon Bread
Warning: This bread is famously addictive. Its moist, tender crumb and generous cinnamon-sugar swirl make it disappear at an alarming rate. Have the coffee ready!
YIELD:
2 Loaves
PREP TIME:
15 Minutes
**BAKE TIME:
**
50-70 Minutes
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Ingredients
For the Cinnamon-Sugar Swirl:
· 1 cup granulated sugar
· 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
For the Bread Batter:
· 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
· 2 cups granulated sugar
· 2 large eggs, room temperature
· 2 cups buttermilk (or 2 cups milk + 2 tbsp white vinegar, let sit for 5 minutes)
· 4 cups all-purpose flour
· 2 teaspoons baking soda
· 1 teaspoon salt
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Instructions & Methods
Method 1: The Preparation (Mise en Place)
1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9×5 inch loaf pans thoroughly.
2. Create the Swirl: In a small bowl, mix together the 1 cup of sugar and 2 tablespoons of cinnamon. Set this cinnamon-sugar mixture aside.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures the leavening agent is evenly distributed for a uniform rise.
4. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer (or a sturdy wooden spoon) to cream together the softened butter and 2 cups of sugar until the mixture is light, pale, and fluffy. This step incorporates air, which is crucial for texture.
5. Incorporate Eggs and Buttermilk: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, mix in the buttermilk. The mixture may look slightly curdled—this is normal.
Method 2: The No-Knead Mixing
1. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet butter/buttermilk mixture. Stir with a spatula or mix on low speed just until the flour disappears. Do not overmix! A few lumps are perfectly fine. Overmixing develops gluten and will make the bread tough.
Method 3: The Layering and Baking
1. Layer the Batter: Pour half of the batter evenly between the two prepared loaf pans. You should have a thin layer covering the bottom of each pan.
2. Add the Cinnamon Swirl: Generously sprinkle half of your reserved cinnamon-sugar mixture over the batter in both pans.
3. Top it Off: Carefully pour the remaining batter over the cinnamon-sugar layer, trying to cover it as evenly as possible.
4. Final Topping: Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture over the very top. This will create a delicious, crackly, sugary crust.
5. Bake to Perfection: Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for 50 to 70 minutes. Ovens vary, so start checking at 50 minutes. The bread is done when a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, the top is golden brown, and the edges may just be starting to pull away from the pan.
6. Cool and Serve: Let the loaves cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes. Then, run a knife around the edges and carefully invert them onto a wire rack to cool completely. Slicing into the bread while it’s still too warm will cause it to crumble.
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Nutrition & Benefits
While this is undoubtedly a sweet indulgence, it does have some redeeming qualities:
· Comfort Food: The act of baking and sharing can provide significant psychological benefits, reducing stress and boosting mood.
· Energy Source: The carbohydrates provide a quick source of energy.
· Shared Experience: The greatest benefit of this bread is the community it builds. Sharing a loaf with a neighbor, a new parent, or a friend is an act of care that nourishes the soul as much as the body.
Nutritional Note: This is a dessert bread. Enjoy it in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
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For the True Lovers of This Bread
If you fall in love with this recipe (and you will), here are ways to make it your own:
· Add-Ins: Stir 1 cup of chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans), chocolate chips, or raisins into the batter.
· Apple Cinnamon: Fold in 1-2 cups of finely chopped apples for a moist, fruity variation.
· Pumpkin Spice: Replace 1 cup of buttermilk with 1 cup of canned pumpkin puree and add 1 tsp of pumpkin pie spice to the dry ingredients.
· The Traditional Starter Method: For the authentic experience, seek out an “Amish Friendship Bread Starter” recipe. It’s a 10-day process of fermenting and feeding the starter, culminating in baking day and the creation of new starters to share.
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Conclusion
Amish Cinnamon Bread is a testament to the idea that the simplest recipes are often the most cherished. With no kneading and just a simple mix-and-bake method, it delivers an extraordinary reward. The warm aroma of cinnamon and sugar filling your home is a prelude to the soft, moist, and irresistibly sweet bread that awaits. It’s a recipe that invites you to slow down, bake with love, and share the results. So, bake your two loaves—one to keep, and one to give away. Continue the beautiful chain of friendship, one sweet slice at a time.