BREAD - Maynard's Amish Friendship Bread

Maynard Pittendreigh

The starter for this bread was given to Maynard. He made the bread frequently for one of the elders of his Brunswick, Georgia, congregation who suffered from cancer and found eating difficult. The bread was the only apetizing thing for him during the last months of his life. It is also enjoyed by those who are in good health.

Tips: Pour into large bowl - do not use metal and do not refridgerate. Do not use a metal spoon. Use plain flour.

To make the starter: Add 2 cups flour, 2 cups sugar, 2 cups milk, stir. Let this be day one of your maintenance cycle. Let 2 or 3 maintenance cycles go by before using.

To maintain the starter:

Day 1 - Do nothing

Day 2, 3, 4 - Stir with wooden spoon

Day 5 - Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup milk, stir

Day 6, 7, 8, 9 - Stir with wooden spoon

Day 10 - Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup milk, stir. Put 1 cup each of mixture into 3 containers, give away with instructions. Keep 1 if you wish to do more.

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAYNARD'S AMISH FRIENDSHIP BREAD

To one batch add the following to make the bread:

2 cups of plain flour

1 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 large box instant pudding (your choice of flavor, but pistacio is very good)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

3/4 cup oil

3 eggs

1 cup applesauce

1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix dry ingedients together first. Mix oil and eggs to mix that you have been stirring. Gradually add dry ingredients to liquid mix. Add applesauce, nuts and vanilla. Mix together and pour into well greased and sugared loaf pans.

Bake 40 to 50 minutes at 350. Cool.

Note: you can use aluminum baby loaf pans and reduce the cooking time to 25 - 30 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting toothpick. Makes 5 baby loaves.