If you’re looking for a warm, comforting bread recipe that carries a little piece of history with every bite, the Amish Friendship Bread with Pudding is a delightful choice. This unique bread is not only soft and flavorful but also has a wonderfully moist texture thanks to the addition of pudding mix.
Amish Friendship Bread is famous for its sweet, cinnamon-infused flavor and a fascinating tradition: it’s shared among friends, passed along with a special starter called a “mother,” encouraging connection and community through baking.
This recipe takes the classic Amish Friendship Bread to the next level by incorporating vanilla pudding mix, which tenderizes the crumb and adds a subtle richness. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, this recipe is approachable, fun, and guaranteed to become a family favorite.
Plus, it’s perfect for gifting or enjoying with a cozy cup of tea or coffee.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
The Amish Friendship Bread with pudding is a crowd-pleaser because it combines the best of two worlds: the traditional sweet, yeasty bread and the creamy moisture of pudding. The bread stays fresh for days, making it ideal for breakfast, snacks, or dessert.
It’s sweet but not overpowering, with notes of cinnamon and vanilla that make each slice feel like a warm hug.
Another reason this recipe stands out is its communal nature. The starter, or “mother,” is easy to maintain and share, creating a wonderful baking experience that connects you with others.
Plus, the pudding mix keeps the bread incredibly moist without the need for extra butter or oil, making it a bit lighter than other sweet breads.
For those who love experimenting, this recipe can also be easily customized with nuts, fruits, or spices to suit your taste. It’s a fantastic way to spread friendship and deliciousness simultaneously!
Ingredients
- 1 cup Amish Friendship Bread starter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans), 1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Medium mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk or electric mixer
- Rubber spatula
- 9×5 inch loaf pan
- Cooling rack
- Plastic wrap or clean kitchen towel
Instructions
- Prepare your starter: If you don’t have an Amish Friendship Bread starter, you can find one from a friend or make your own from scratch. The starter is a fermented batter used to help the bread rise and develop flavor.
- Preheat your oven: Set the oven to 325°F (165°C) and grease your 9×5 inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sugar, vanilla pudding mix, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon until well blended.
- Add the starter: Stir in the Amish Friendship Bread starter to the dry mixture, blending thoroughly.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth and combined.
- Combine wet and dry mixtures: Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture. Gently fold together with a rubber spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
- Add optional ingredients: If using nuts or dried fruit, fold them into the batter now.
- Pour batter into pan: Transfer the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake: Place in the oven and bake for 50-60 minutes. To test doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the bread; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Tips & Variations
“For best results, keep your starter fed and stored in the refrigerator between uses. Always use fresh ingredients to ensure a lively fermentation.”
- Feeding the starter: If you plan to keep the starter alive for future batches, remember to feed it every 5 days with equal parts flour, sugar, and milk.
- Flavor twists: Add 1 teaspoon nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice for a seasonal touch.
- Fruit additions: Fresh or frozen blueberries, chopped apples, or mashed bananas can be folded in for extra moisture and flavor.
- Gluten-free option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend designed for baking, but reduce the liquid slightly.
- Sweet glaze: Drizzle a simple powdered sugar glaze (powdered sugar + milk + vanilla) over cooled bread for added sweetness and shine.
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrient | Amount Per Slice (1/12th of loaf) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 210 kcal |
| Total Fat | 7 g |
| Saturated Fat | 1 g |
| Cholesterol | 37 mg |
| Sodium | 180 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 34 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugars | 16 g |
| Protein | 3 g |
Serving Suggestions
This bread is wonderfully versatile. Serve warm slices with a pat of butter or cream cheese for breakfast or brunch.
It also pairs beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or chai tea, making it an ideal mid-morning or afternoon snack.
For a decadent treat, try toasting slices and spreading them with honey or nut butters. It can even be turned into a dessert by serving with fresh fruit and a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.
Looking for more delicious and easy recipes? Check out these favorites:
- Backpacking Dehydrated Vegan Meal Recipes for Easy Camping
- Chinese Vegetarian Nasi Lemak Recipe Made Easy and Delicious
- Veg Grilled Sandwich Recipes That Are Quick and Delicious
Conclusion
The Amish Friendship Bread with pudding is a heartwarming recipe that brings more than just great taste to your kitchen—it brings tradition, sharing, and a little magic. Its soft, moist texture and sweet cinnamon flavor make it an irresistible treat for any occasion, whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just yourself.
With a simple starter and pantry staples, this bread is accessible to bakers of all skill levels and offers endless opportunities for customization. Plus, the joy of passing along the starter starter to friends keeps the spirit of community alive.
Give this recipe a try, and you might just find your new favorite bread to bake over and over again!
📖 Recipe Card: Amish Friendship Bread with Pudding
Description: A moist and flavorful sweet bread made with a unique starter and vanilla pudding mix for extra richness. Perfect for sharing with friends or family.
Prep Time: PT20M
Cook Time: PT50M
Total Time: PT1H10M
Servings: 12 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup Amish friendship bread starter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, combine starter, sugar, oil, eggs, milk, and vanilla; mix well.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, pudding mix, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients; stir until just combined.
- Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Allow bread to cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition: Calories: 280 | Protein: 5g | Fat: 9g | Carbs: 45g
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