AMISH FRIENDSHIP BREAD (STARTER)

1 pkg. active dry yeast

1/4 c. warm water

1 c. flour

1 c. sugar

1 c. warm milk (110 degrees)

Making the starter:

Day 1:

Soften active dry yeast with 1/4 cup warm water for 10 minutes.

Stir with a wooden spoon. In a non-metal bowl, combine 1 cup flour and 1 cup sugar. Mix, slowly adding 1 cup warm milk and the softened yeast. Cover loosely with clean cloth and leave at room temperature until bubbly. When mixture has lots of bubbles, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.

Days 2, 3, and 4:

Stir with a wooden or plastic spoon (don't use a metal spoon) until mixture is smooth. Do this once each day.

Day 5:

At this time, 2 cups of starter can be removed from the batch to bake Amish Friendship Bread or use in your own recipe which calls for starter.

Replenish starter by stirring in 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk; stir; allow to sit at room temperature for 1 hour, then refrigerate.

Days 6, 7, 8, 9:

Stir with wooden or plastic spoon until smooth. Do this once each day.

Day 10:

Repeat.