Shortcut Amish Friendship Bread

[nverland]

Shortcut Amish Friendship Bread

Ingredients

For the Starter
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup flour
1/3 cup lukewarm milk (90-100 degrees F)
3 teaspoons fresh yeast
1 teaspoon active dry yeast
3/4 teaspoon instant yeast

For the Bread
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 apples, cored and chopped
1 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup raisins

Instructions

For the starter: In a small bowl, combine ingredients for the starter. Place the bowl in a warm (not hot) location, free from drafts. Wait for about 10 minutes or until yeast activates – it will become foamy and show signs of expansion.

For the bread: Combine together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.

In a large mixing bowl, mix together the “starter”, eggs, oil and vanilla. Stir in the sifted ingredients and mix until just blended (do not over-mix). Finally stir in the chopped apples, raisins and pecans. Divide the batter evenly between two lightly greased and floured 9×5 inch loaf pans.

Bake in a 350 F degree preheated oven for 50 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center of a loaf – it should come out clean.