Question About Amish Friendship Bread

[Ceashels]

You are correct that they would have you give away 3 and use the last cup for your recipe. I 've only given out one cup and have had a starter going for the past month or so. I keep a 1-2 cups to rebuild and use the other 1-2 for baking. I have experimented and used half the amounts of ingredients listed (ie, 1/2 a cup instead of a full cup) every 4 days so I don't get too tired of the recipe. I have also let the starter continue to grow until i had 6 cups for pancakes when company came. It is very flexible and forgiving and very very tasty.

[Emerald_Mommy]

My recipe says give away 3, keep 1 starter. You still have enough left in the bowl to cook with (about another cup). I always do mine in plastic bags. You "mush" the bags every day and let any excess air out.

When you get tired of fooling with it (and you will!) you can freeze the bags of starter. My mom has done this for a long time. When she wants to get going again she defrosts a bag and starts on day 1 again.