Shortcut Amish Friendship Bread!
This is one of those recipes where we really need a little door in your computers that you could open right now and I could hand you a warm piece of this amazing bread. Pictures cannot tell you how delicious it tastes and smells – warm cinnamon and vanilla mixed with mama’s hugs. So I’m going to have to hope that you have faith in me and try to make this as soon as possible so that you can taste this tender bread for yourself.
The original recipe for Amish Friendship Bread is legendary. But with my recipe, no starter is needed!
But goodness, that bread is high maintenance! My version doesn’t require a starter or any forethought beyond “Hey, I think I’ll go make some Shortcut Amish Friendship Bread!” but it still has that wonderfully moist flavor that is perfect for a snack for the kids (or you) or coffee time treat. It’s so simple, you can just make a loaf for a friend rather than saddling them with a starter that they have to remember to feed each day. Low maintenance deliciousness is just another reason to love this version.
Begin by placing all of your dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl and stirring them together by hand.
Add remaining ingredients and beat with an electric mixer until fully blended, about two minutes.
Divide evenly among two loaf pans that have been sprayed with cooking spray and bake at 325 for about an hour.
Note: If you remember the old Amish Friendship Bread you are probably looking at this and wanting to sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top. However, doing this will cause the tops to cave in while it bakes and it won’t be pretty.
As an alternative, I’ve made sure to include lots of cinnamon flavor in the bread itself.
I know these loaves look a bit plain on screen but they are one of the most amazing air fresheners to hit kitchens since chocolate chip cookies!
Give a loaf to a friend – or keep them both for yourself. I won’t judge. 😉
Holler back if you make this! I wish I could let you taste it right now!
Ingredients
- 3 cups self rising flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 box 5.1 ounce instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 heaping tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1.5 cups buttermilk or whole milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup butter melted and cooled slightly
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325. Liberally spray the inside of two 9x5 inch loaf pans with cooking spray and set aside.
- Place flour, sugar, pudding mix, and cinnamon into a large mixing bowl. Stir together with a wooden spoon until well blended. Add buttermilk, vegetable oil, butter, eggs, and vanilla and beat with an electric mixer at medium speed, scraping down sides as needed, until smooth and fully blended, about two minutes.
- Divide batter evenly among the two loaf pans. Bake until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about one hour. Allow to cool for 10 minutes in pan before turning out and allowing to cool completely. Okay, confession: I always eat at least one slice warm! Enjoy!
Nutrition
It’s not happy people who are thankful – it’s thankful people who are happy.
~unknown
Other recipes you might enjoy: Easy Dutch Oven Bread, Crunchy Honey Lime Chicken, Soft Unleavened Bread, Ambrosia
Easy to find substitute for buttermilk on internet:
1 scant cup plain milk (my granny called it sweet milk) and 1 Tb. vinegar or lemon juice for each cup buttermilk needed for recipe.
Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes until it curdles.
Use in recipes.
I use this often and have included it in my cookbooks and on recipes on this site. Works like a charm!
I love this stuff. I made 25 mini loaves yesterday to take to all of the senior adult ladies at my church to honor them for mother’s day today. Have two regular loaves in the oven right now for my two sisters. I wish I could attach a picture. My house smells so good! Better than any candle!
Oh my goodness, I bet your house does smell wonderful!!! That is so sweet of you to share bread with the ladies, I know they are going to enjoy every bite!!!
This bread is so good we have to save it for special occasions only. …Or make a boring day a special occasion by serving this bread. : ) Going to have one of my girls make it today to take camping tomorrow. Hooray! (For the bread, not necessarily the camping, haha.)