Recipe: Friendship Bread (Amish recipe) for Joanne

Joanne: This recipe is an Amish recipe for Friendship Bread. It includes a variation for Banana Bread that uses banana pudding in the mix. I hope this is what you are looking for.

Friendship Bread:

First, you must obtain about 1 cup (236ml) of fresh "starter" from a friend. (Thus the name Friendship Bread.)

To bake: To the small amount left in the bowl, add 1 cup (236ml) oil, 1/2 c. (118ml) milk, 3 eggs, 1 tsp. (5ml) vanilla. Mix well and set aside. In another bowl, mix together 2 cups (473ml) flour, 1 cup (236ml) sugar, 1/2tsp. (3ml) baking powder, 2 tsp. (10ml) cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. (3ml) salt, 1/2tsp. (3ml) baking soda, 1 - 6 ounce (170g) box instant vanilla pudding mix, 1cup (236ml) chopped nuts (optional). Add these ingredients to the first mixture. Mix well. Grease two 4 x 8 inch loaf pans. Sprinkle pans with cinnamon sugar. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for one hour or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Note: If you use self-rising flour, omit the salt and baking powder.

For banana bread, use banana pudding and banana extract, omitting the cinnamon, etc. Banana bread is, of course,great with walnuts or pecans added.