Amish Friendship Bread is a warm, sweet quick bread that smells like cinnamon and butter as it bakes. This version keeps things simple so busy families can bake together and enjoy fresh slices that are soft and tender. If you want another easy bread idea for a busy evening, try our Air Fryer Cheesy Tortilla Garlic Bread for a savory treat to pair with soup or salad.

Why Make This Recipe

Quick & Easy: uses a sweet starter and simple pantry ingredients.
Family Favorite: soft crumb kids love and adults swoon over with coffee.
Budget-Friendly: basic baking staples, no fancy equipment.
Make-Ahead Friendly: the starter builds flavor and can be shared with neighbors.

What makes this recipe stand out is the mild tang and sweet cinnamon warmth from the starter. It brings comfort and a little nostalgia—perfect for slow weekend mornings or a cozy after-school snack. For a different flatbread idea that’s also family-friendly, see our Cottage Cheese Flatbread.

Ingredients

For the starter and batter:

1 cup active Amish friendship bread starter (see note below)
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
3 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup vegetable oil (or melted unsalted butter)
1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional add-ins / topping:

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (toasted if desired)
1/2 cup raisins or chocolate chips
2 tablespoons melted butter for brushing the warm loaf

Notes:

Starter: this is the sweet, fermented starter used in Amish Friendship Bread. If you don’t have one, you can find starter recipes online or use a packaged starter.
Unsalted butter: use if you prefer butter flavor; melt and cool slightly before adding.

How to Make Amish Friendship Bread

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment if you like an easy lift-out.
- Tip: Preheating ensures even rise and a golden crust.
In a large bowl, whisk the starter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time and beat until combined.
- Why: Beating the eggs into the starter gives a light, fluffy crumb.
Stir in the oil (or melted butter), milk, and vanilla until the mixture looks even and glossy.
- Tip: Room-temperature eggs and milk mix easier and keep batter smooth.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Why: Dry ingredients mixed separately help the leaveners spread evenly for a uniform rise.
Add the dry mix to the wet ingredients in two parts, folding gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Tip: A few small streaks of flour are okay; overmixing makes the bread dense.
Fold in optional nuts or raisins if using. Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Tip: Toss nuts/raisins in a little flour first to keep them from sinking.
Bake in the preheated oven for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. The top should be golden brown.
- Why: The toothpick test helps avoid drying out the loaf.
Remove from oven and brush the top with melted butter while the loaf is warm for a soft, shiny crust. Let cool in pan 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool more.
- Tip: Slicing while slightly warm gives soft, slightly gooey bites; fully cooled slices hold shape better.

How to Serve Amish Friendship Bread

Slice and serve warm with a pat of butter or cream cheese; the aroma of cinnamon will fill the room.
Cut into thick slices with a serrated knife and offer toasted rounds topped with apple slices and a drizzle of honey.
Pair with a big mug of coffee, tea, or warm milk for a cozy family breakfast.

How to Store Amish Friendship Bread

Room temperature: Keep wrapped in foil or in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days; bring slices to room temp or warm gently before serving.
Freezer: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, or place slices in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and warm in a 300°F oven for 10–15 minutes or microwave a slice for 20–30 seconds.

Tips to Make Amish Friendship Bread

Use room-temperature eggs and milk for a smoother batter.
Don’t overmix after adding flour to keep the bread tender.
Check for doneness early; every oven bakes a bit differently.
If adding nuts, toast them briefly to boost flavor.

Variation (if any)

Apple-Cinnamon: Fold in 1 cup peeled, diced apples and swap half the cinnamon for apple pie spice.
Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and add 1 teaspoon xanthan gum if your blend lacks it; texture will be slightly different but still comforting.

FAQs

Can I use a commercial sourdough starter instead of the Amish starter?

You can use a commercial sourdough starter, but the flavor will change. Amish starter is sweet and mild; a tangy sourdough will give a stronger sour note. Adjust sugar slightly if needed.

How do I know if my starter is active?

An active starter will be bubbly, have a pleasant sweet smell, and float in a bowl of water when it’s ready. If it’s sluggish, feed it for a day or two before baking.

My bread is dense — what went wrong?

Dense bread usually means overmixing after adding flour or your leaveners (baking powder/soda) were old. Measure flour properly and test your baking powder/soda for freshness.

Can I make muffins with this batter?

Yes—pour into a greased or lined muffin tin and bake at 350°F for about 18–22 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

Conclusion

This Amish Friendship Bread recipe brings warmth and simple joy to the kitchen. The loaf bakes up soft, lightly cinnamon-scented, and perfect for sharing with neighbors or tucking into lunchboxes. If you want to compare with a classic original version of this loaf, see Amish Friendship Bread (Original) for more starter details and tradition. I hope your home fills with that cozy, sweet smell while this bakes — please leave a comment and a star rating to let others know how it turned out, and share this on Pinterest or Facebook. What twist did you try? Let us know below!