Here’s the beloved Amish Cinnamon Bread (often called Amish Friendship Bread – no starter needed). It’s soft, moist, and swirled with cinnamon sugar—perfect for breakfast or gifting.
Amish Cinnamon Bread (No Starter)
Makes: 2 loaves
Prep: 15 minutes | Bake: ~50 minutes
Ingredients
Cinnamon Sugar
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
Bread
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
Grease and flour two 9×5-inch loaf pans. - Mix cinnamon sugar
Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Set aside. - Cream butter & sugar
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, then vanilla. - Add buttermilk
Mix in buttermilk until smooth. - Combine dry ingredients
In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to wet mixture. Batter will be thick. - Layer the loaves
- Sprinkle cinnamon sugar in the bottom of each pan.
- Add batter to fill pans about halfway.
- Sprinkle more cinnamon sugar.
- Add remaining batter and top with the rest of the cinnamon sugar.
- Swirl gently with a knife.
- Bake
Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. - Cool & serve
Let cool 10 minutes before removing from pans.
Tips & Variations
- Extra moist: Add 1 small box (3.4 oz) vanilla pudding mix to the batter
- Crunchy top: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top
- Freezer-friendly: Wrap tightly; freezes up to 3 months
- Glaze option: Drizzle with powdered sugar + milk glaze once cooled
If you want the traditional Amish friendship bread with starter, or a pumpkin or apple version, just say the word 🍞✨
