Healthier Amish Friendship Bread Starter

Make something extra special to share with a friend! This delicious starter is healthier than the original version and can be used to make a variety of healthful breads. (Do not use metal containers or utensils.)

Step: 1

Dissolve yeast in water in a small bowl. Let stand 10 minutes. Combine 1 cup all-purpose flour and 1 cup sugar in a 2-quart container. Mix thoroughly or flour will lump when milk is added. Slowly stir in 1 cup milk and dissolved yeast mixture. Cover loosely and let stand until bubbly. Consider this day 1 of the 10 day cycle. Leave loosely covered at room temperature.

Step: 2

On days 2 through 4: Stir starter with a spoon. Day 5: Stir in 1 cup white whole wheat flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Days 6 through 9: Stir only.

Step: 3

Day 10: Stir in 1/2 cup each all-purpose and white whole wheat flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk. Remove 1 cup to make your first bread, give 2 cups to friends along with this recipe, and your favorite Amish Bread recipe. Store the remaining 1 cup starter in a container in the refrigerator, or begin the 10 day process over again (beginning with step 2).

Per Serving: 33 calories; protein 0.6g; carbohydrates 7.7g; fat 0.1g; cholesterol 0.2mg; sodium 3.3mg.

The quality of the flour can make a real difference to your bread. Different makers do vary. Extra-strong or Canadian flours, which are bet higher in gluten, may give you a best rise than standard bread flours – especially if you’re making wholemeal bread , which not always rise as well as clear bread.

To make this in a dough , add all the ingredients to your breadmaker and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

A bread first rising can be done in the fridge 24 hours . This slows down the time it takes to rise to double its size, giving it a deeper flavour. It’s also a great limit , as you can work it night before , then finish it off the next day.