Virtual Friendship Bread

You know the bread where a friend gives you a baggie of starter and a recipe, then you work on it for 10 days before baking the yummiest bread ever? If you've never tasted it, the end result is a sweet, almost dessert-y bread. You can change it up to suit your own taste, make it chocolatey or nutty or fruity, whatever!

I'd love to give you all some starter but since it would probably explode in a stinky yeast bomb somewhere in transit, I'm just going to post directions for you to begin the cycle yourself. Follow along for 10 days and you will then be able to pass some starter along.

First Step is to make the actual starter.

1 (.25 oz) pkg active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F)
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup milk

In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Let stand 10 minutes. In a large gallon-sized Ziploc bag, combine flour and sugar thoroughly before stirring in milk and yeast mixture. Use a wooden spoon or just squish it around. Set aside on the counter, keeping it always at room temperature.

*For the entire process, do not use metal bowls or utensils*

That's it for day 1/10. It's a good idea to keep a little tally sheet of some kind with your starter so you can keep track of the days.





You won't be doing anything but stirring (wooden spoon!) or squishing for the next three days, so just relax and let it do its thing. I will be posting a little daily reminder for everyone following along.