Shortcut Amish Friendship Bread!
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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
I have made this from the original recipe for several years although I make a lot of variations. This past Christmas I made some of the shortcut from a different recipe and didn’t like it as well. I will have to try your version! I do add different pudding mixes to make other flavors. For cherry I use vanilla pudding and add maraschino cherries. For Chocolate cherry, use chocolate pudding and add cherries. For strawberry, use vanilla pudding and I add strawberry yogurt or if I can find it I use strawberry pudding but it is hard to find sometimes. You can make it with sugar free pudding and stevia to make it lower calorie or for diabetics. The possibilities are only limited to what you can think of…lemon, blueberry, chocolate chip, banana, pumpkin, apple etc. I always add nuts preferably pecans also.
Thanks for sharing all of your tips with use Donna, love some of your combinations!!
can’t wait to try this so nice not to have to do the 10 days. I am looking for a pistachio bundt cake recipe using a cake mix. made one a couple of weeks ago and lost the recipe. Can you help?
I am afraid I don’t have that recipe Irene. I will ask Mama if she has one or if Grandmama did.
Can yu send me a nice pound cake recipe pls.
Hey! This is my Aunt Sue’s and it’s the best I’ve had 🙂 https://www.southernplate.com/aunt-sues-famous-pound-cake/
Thanks for this awesome recipe! I will have to try it! I agree with others, quick and easy is a must if I’m going to fix it after working all day! 🙂
I hope you get the chance to give it a try soon Stefanie!!
I made this bread once several years ago and never made it again because it required too much time and energy. (As my daughter would say, “It’s a pet!”) Thanks for this easy recipe – looking forward to trying it.
LOL, I love that, “It’s a pet”!! I know many recipes like that!!
Can you tell a difference in using whole milk versus buttermilk?
Depends on how well you know your tastes. I could tell (but it’s still amazing) but I can guarantee you not a sole in my house other than me would know! 🙂
Definitely making this! (And I have made it from the starter…)
I cant wait to hear what you think Stacey!!