Amish Cinnamon Bread

Amish Cinnamon Bread, also known as “Cinnamon Friendship Bread,” is a delightful, sweet bread that embodies a unique combination of rich flavors and a distinct, homely warmth. This recipe is often celebrated for its communal aspect, as it is traditionally shared among friends.

The bread starts with a special starter, a fermented mixture of flour, sugar, milk, and yeast. This starter develops over several days, acquiring a tangy depth that forms the base of the bread’s flavor. The fermentation process is crucial, as it not only gives the bread its characteristic taste but also its wonderfully light and airy texture.

Once the starter is ready, additional ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, and oil are mixed in, creating a smooth, elastic dough. This is where the magic of Amish Cinnamon Bread really comes to life. The dough is layered with a generous filling made from melted butter, cinnamon, and sugar, creating swirls of sweet, spicy goodness in every slice.

After the dough is assembled with its cinnamon-sugar filling, it’s allowed to rise until it becomes puffy and soft. This rising period is essential, as it contributes to the bread’s soft, pillowy texture. The bread is then baked until it turns a golden brown, with the cinnamon and sugar melting together to form a slightly crunchy, caramelized crust.

Amish Cinnamon Bread is renowned for its moist, tender crumb and the irresistible swirls of cinnamon that run through it. Every bite offers a delightful contrast between the soft bread and the crunchy, sugary topping. It’s often enjoyed as a breakfast treat or a sweet snack, perfect with a cup of coffee or tea.

The act of sharing the starter with friends, who then bake their own bread and pass the starter along, adds a communal and heartwarming element to the experience of enjoying Amish Cinnamon Bread. This tradition not only spreads the delicious taste but also fosters a sense of connection and friendship, making this bread much more than just a culinary delight.

Ingredients:

For The Batter:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups buttermilk or homemade buttermilk— 2 cups milk plus 2 tablespoons vinegar or
• lemon juice
• 4 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda

For The Cinnamon/Sugar Mixture:

• 2/3 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

PREPARATION:

ream together butter, 2 cups of sugar, and eggs. Add milk, flour, and baking soda. Put 1/2 of batter (or a little less) into greased loaf pans (1/4 in each pan). Mix in separate
bowl the 2/3 c sugar and cinnamon.
Sprinkle 3/4 of cinnamon mixture on top of the 1/2 batter in each pan. Add remaining batter to pans; sprinkle with last of cinnamon topping. Swirl with a knife. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 min. or until toothpick tester come clean. Cool in pan for 20 minutes before removing from pan. Makes 2 loaves

Enjoy. The Family will love this recipe.

Enjoy !