Amish Friendship Bread & Cinnamon Bread

Ah, you’ve discovered one of the most beloved and comforting baked goods! Amish Cinnamon Bread (often called Amish Friendship Bread) is a sweet, tender, cinnamony loaf with a sugary crust. It’s famous for its “starter” tradition, but there’s also a quick version that requires no starter.

Here’s everything you need to know, including both the traditional starter method and a superb “quick” version you can make today.

1. Quick & Easy Amish Cinnamon Bread (No Starter Needed)

This is the most practical recipe for when you want that iconic flavor without the 10-day process.

Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 50-60 mins | Makes: 2 loaves

Ingredients:

For the Bread:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk* (or 1 cup milk + 1 Tbsp lemon juice/vinegar, rested 5 mins)
⅔ cup vegetable oil or melted butter, cooled
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Cinnamon-Sugar Swirl & Topping:

⅔ cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons brown sugar (for extra crunch on top, optional)

Instructions:

Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8×4 or 9×5 inch loaf pans.
Dry Mix: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, 1 cup sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Wet Mix: In another bowl, whisk buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
Combine: Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir just until combined—do not overmix. A few lumps are fine.
Cinnamon-Sugar: Mix the ⅔ cup sugar and 2 Tbsp cinnamon in a small bowl.
Layer: Pour half the batter evenly between the two prepared pans. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the batter in each pan. Carefully spread the remaining batter on top. Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon-sugar over the top (add brown sugar here if using).
Swirl: Take a knife and swirl it gently through the batter in a figure-8 pattern to marble the cinnamon sugar.
Bake: Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool: Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely (if you can wait!). The top will be delightfully cracked and sugary.

2. The Traditional Amish Friendship Bread Starter & Recipe

This is a cherished communal baking tradition. You receive a “starter” in a bag (a fermented yeast/batter), feed it, and eventually bake it, sharing portions of the starter with friends.

The Starter (Day 1):

In a large glass bowl, mix:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup warm whole milk
Cover loosely with a towel or plastic wrap. Let sit on the counter.

Feeding & Maintaining the Starter (10-Day Process):

Days 2-4: Stir with a wooden or plastic spoon (not metal).
Day 5: “Feed” it by adding 1 cup each of flour, sugar, and milk. Stir.
Days 6-9: Stir daily.
Day 10: It’s ready to use! You will now have about 4 cups of starter.

On Baking Day (Day 10):

Remove 1 cup of starter to give to a friend (in a sealed bag).
Remove 1 more cup to start your next batch if desired (repeat the 10-day cycle).
Use the remaining ~2 cups of starter to bake. DO NOT use metal bowls or utensils.

Traditional Recipe Using 2 Cups of Starter:

To the remaining starter (~2 cups) in a large non-metal bowl, add:

3 large eggs
1 cup oil or melted butter, cooled
½ cup milk
1 cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp salt
2 cups flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda

Topping/Swirl: Same as quick version (⅔ cup sugar + 2 Tbsp cinnamon).

Instructions: Mix well. Layer batter and cinnamon-sugar in two greased loaf pans as described in the quick recipe. Bake at 325°F (165°C) for 50-60 minutes.

🌟 Pro Tips & Variations:

For a Richer Bread: Use melted butter instead of oil. Substitute 1 cup of sour cream for the buttermilk.
Add-Ins: Fold 1 cup of chocolate chips, raisins, chopped nuts, or diced apples into the batter.
Cream Cheese Version: For a decadent twist, blend 8 oz softened cream cheese with ½ cup sugar and 1 egg. Layer it in the middle of the batter before adding the top layer and cinnamon-sugar.
Storage: Keeps wrapped at room temp for 2-3 days, or refrigerated for up to a week. It also freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.
The Crackly Top: Don’t skip the final cinnamon-sugar sprinkle. It creates that iconic, sweet, crackly crust.
Buttermilk Substitute: If you don’t have buttermilk, the milk + acid (lemon juice/vinegar) trick works perfectly.

Why It’s So Special:

This bread is more than a recipe—it’s a piece of culinary heritage. The traditional version fosters community (the “friendship” part), while the quick version delivers all the cozy, homey flavor with minimal fuss. The texture is wonderfully moist, with ribbons of cinnamon sugar running throughout.

Enjoy your baking! Your kitchen is about to smell incredible.

AMISH CINNAMON BREAD