Amish Friendship Bread Copycat Recipe

A few years ago I was obsessed with Amish Friendship Bread.   I absolutely loved it and made it week after week for a few months.

( In case you don't know what it is, you basically start out with a starter bag that you get from someone, then each day you have to knead it and some days you have to add an ingredient or 2 then in 7 days you get to actually bake the bread and you make new multiple bags of starts to share with people. )

 Then I became overwhelmed, I always had silly bags on my counter, was always trying to find someone to give them away, froze some, wasted some and just one day quit making more.  It had been a long time since I had really thought of it and one day I came across a recipe and of course had to try it.  Could it really be just a recipe, I can make and bake in the same day and be done?  I was anxious to try it and it turned out delicious!

So today I'm sharing with you the recipe I found on RedFlyCreations that will be getting used a lot around here!   I love making my meals healthy and clean but still just can't resist desserts and  baked goods.  It's a balance and I will probably always have it that way!

Here it is Amish Friendship Bread
( Makes 2 loaves)

For the batter take:                                                  Cinnamon Sugar Mixture
1 cup softened butter                                                2/3 cup sugar
2 cups sugar                                                             2 tsp cinnamon
2 eggs
2 cups buttermilk
4 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda

Cream together the butter, sugar, and eggs.  Then add your  buttermilk and dry ingredients:  Flour and baking soda.  Let it sit for a minute while you do the next step.

In a separate bowl prepare your cinnamon sugar mixture which is 2/3 cup sugar mixed with 2 tsp cinnamon.

Put 1/4 batter in each of your 2 pans.  Sprinkle each pan with 1/4 cup cinnamon/sugar.  Put the remaining batter into each pan and repeat the cinnamon/sugar mixture.  Then take a knife and gently swirl the cinnamon/sugar in a little.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until done.

Let cool before removing from pan!

Enjoy!  Most people I'm sure eat theirss with butter but plain Jane me could eat it anyday without.

Also this recipe should come with a warning, I could pretty much eat a whole loaf in one day.  Don't judge me until you try it.  It's delicious and addicting!

Menu Planning Monday

This Weeks Menu

Sunday-  We will be at my dads for Father's day, I'm bringing dessert.  Haven't decided between this Strawberry Pretzel dessert that Matthew loves or the peanut butter pie.  Maybe I will just make both.  We'll see how ambitious I am come Saturday and Sunday!





Monday-  I'll be gone to a Cardinal game but have an easy supper for Matthew to make himself
                 BLT and fries

Tuesday-  Grilled Dinner-  Pork Chops, Potatoes, and Zucchini.  Can I tell you how much I truly love grilling complete dinners, no mess inside.  I love it.  And grilled vegetables and potatoes are my summer favorites!

Wednesday-  Pollo Loco from last week, never ended up making it.
Pretty sure every week I don't make something on the list

Thursday-  Leftovers

Friday-  Italian Beef on Hoagies, salad, watermelon

Happy Menu Planning

Linking up with OrgJunkie.

Need Volunteers

Hey blogland!

Posted this on Instagram last night.  Filled a few spots but have two left!

Who wants them?

Menu Planning Monday

Menu Planning Monday

Monday- Pollo Loco from Plain Chicken, recipe can be found here.  Every time we go to local Mexican place I order this so was pretty excited when I saw this recipe.  Going to give it a try!

Tuesday  BBQ Chicken and Cheese Quesadillas/  Salad

Wednesday-  Steak, Grilled Potatoes, Asparagus

Thursdays- Leftovers

Friday-  Hamburgers, Roasted Zucchini and Fries

I also want to try a healthy dessert/ snack this week.  Maybe this one, healthier version of the Wendy's Frosty

Or this healthy homemade strawberry ice cream

Linking up with Org Junkie 

Menu Planning Monday

Sunday-  Graduation Party-  Don't have to cook!!

Monday- Crock Pot Chicken Fajitas

Tuesday-  Homemade Pizza, I have been wanting pizza for a few weeks so it's about time!

Wednesday-  Steak, grilled potatoes, green beans

Thursday- Leftovers

Friday, Saturday Hubs is out of town, no cooking for this girl!

Having an easy meal week this week!

Have something we should try let us know!

Linking up with Org Junkie

Menu Planning Monday

Quick and Easy Menu this Week
Not the healthiest week we have had but my stress levels need to go DOWN this week and I'm trying to help it out!

Monday-  Using one of my meals from my freezer cooking day, Chicken Pot Pie.  Weird for our warm weather but want to use it before it really gets warm here!

Tuesday-  On your own, hubby has a meeting right after work and probably won't be coming home.

Wednesday-  Steak, Rice, Green Beans

Thursday-  Chicken Quesadillas and Salad

Friday-  BLT's and Sweet Potato Fries, I'm having a garage sale so gotta be quick!

Saturday-  Out to Eat, We have lots of good gift cards now since it was just Matthew's birthday!

What's on your menu this week, anything you love that you think we should try next week??

Linking up with Org Junkie!

It's Friday and this is Random

This week has been a weird one.
 I have slacked off from the blog big time.    Usually every night after boys go to bed, I work online but this week just pretty much went straight to bed each night.  Monday I had a great day with my boys and decided  I should probably quit blogging ( I have a lot of random thoughts each day)  but then by Wednesday I circled back to realizing how much I really do enjoy it and I shouldn't quit.  However, I still went to bed the last few nights and neglected writing.

Do you ladies ever get in a blogging funk?  One where you feel it's pointless, you are wasting time?  Then you quit writing and reading for a few days and feel like a lost puppy and miss your blog world?
Yeah, that's me, this week!

Anyways onto some randomness about my week!

Here is a picture from my awesome Monday with my boys.  We just had a great day, I love when that happens!  Little screaming, fighting, and lots of smiles, laughter and sweet moments!

Tuesday I planted the first flowers of the year, may be the last who knows.  Noah helped me pick them out. He wanted yellow, I didn't.  I wanted pink, he didn't,  so we got white instead.  Once I planted them he let me know "mom the flowers are beautiful!"

If you aren't friends with me on facebook, then you didn't see that I ran this on Wednesday.
I met my mom at 5:45.  I got plenty of sleep the night before.  Weather was great!  I had my Genesis Pure Energy.  The week before our 9 miler went really well.  I was ready.  Until we were a few miles in and I was already tired ( did I mention my mom took me on a new route for me and it was HILLY, yeah on my longest run to date, not a good idea! )  I remember hearing her phone tell us we hit 5 miles.  I was like that has to be wrong, I'm already done.  If I would of been alone I probably would have given up around 8 but I ran through it and finished and in good time too!  It was just one of those off running days, where it was HARD! Adding 3 more seemed impossible so hoping my 11 miler this next Wednesday goes better!  It will be my last long one before race day.  Did I mention that, this run also caused me to loose 3 pounds?  Yeah it was awesome until the next day when it had come back, haha!

Yesterday I was still thinking about my junky run and finally remembered to stop by our bike store that sell the sports fuel goodies and bought me some stuff for next weeks run, and Marathon Day.

I bought Gu Gel and some Shot blocks.  I have been using my moms the last two runs so I owe her some.  

I haven't tried the Gu yet but will try it next week so that way race day isn't my first try.  

I felt like buying this stuff made me a "real " runner.  It was weird, because I have always wanted to be one and I feel like I actually am now.  

I feel like I should start this paragraph...

You know you are a complete dork when??

You don't have music on your iphone, ( I actually still use my mp3 player)

You still buy CD's

Better yet, you buy a NOW CD

When I first started running I bought Now 44 to have some new music to run too because the music I had on there was all from like 2006-2007 it was sad.  

It also made me feel old because the last Now CD I bought I had on my mp3 player and it was Now 19. 

Today on my 5 miler, I jammed out to this baby, it was fun! 

My new Honest products finally arrived!  I had thought I ordered them weeks ago, went to check and realized I forgot to checkout my cart, whoops minor detail.  Anyways got them really ordered.  They arrived today and I can't wait to use them.  You bet I will have a review on them up once I do.  This cleaning freak gets excited about weird things like this!

I made these delicious cookies today!  Saw them on Pinterest and have been wanting to try them.  I got them a little more on the done side than I normally do but they are still good.  I will be making these again for sure and baking them for a little less time.  You can find the recipe here.

Will be busy tonight and tomorrow getting ready for my hubby and his twin brother's 30th birthday party cookout at our casa  on Saturday night!  We really are getting old! Then Sunday onto Mother's Day festivities!  It will be a busy but fun weekend!  

Have a good one! 

Menu Plan Monday

I'm back with Menu Plan Monday.  We finally have a normal week of eating at home!

Monday-  Rainbow Chicken

Tuesday- Chicken Stir Fry over rice
I just cook chicken in a skillet with some Teriyaki sauce, add a frozen bag of stir fry veggies, add more  teriyaki  and soy sauce.  Super easy dinner!

Wednesday-  Pork chops on the grill, grilled potatoes, corn

Thursday-  Leftovers

Friday-  Chipotle Chicken Freezer Meal (was supposed to make it a few weeks ago and forgot to take out of the freezer)

Saturday-  Matthew's 30th Birthday!  Party with friends
Burgers and Apple pie were requests from the Birthday boy! We will add some more goodies to the mix too!


Linking up with Org Junkie for Menu Plan Monday

Strawberry Pie

I love me some Strawberry Pie and when Spring/ summer arrives it's always a dessert I'm ready to make.
This morning I made my first one of the season and I thought I would share the recipe I love that I have been using for years.  The first time I made it was over 7 years ago before Matthew and I were married and I was still trying to win him with my good cooking!

Here is the recipe

1  cup water
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 Tbsp cornstarch
Red food coloring
1 cup flour
1/2 cup margarine
3 Tbsp powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 quart strawberries

For the pie filling gel:

Combine water, sugar, salt, cornstarch, and food coloring.  Bring to boil and cook for 5 minutes.  Set aside to cool.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

For the crust:

In bowl, combine flour, margarine, powdered sugar and vanilla.
Mix well and press in pie pan.  Prick and bake for 8-10 minutes.
When crust is cool place berries in pie pan and pour the mixture over it.

Chill, then enjoy!

We always eat with Cool-Whip.  Not the healthiest way to eat strawberries, but so good!

Delicious, Healthy Snack!

Awhile back I went to a friend of mine's for a book study (aka, excuse to get together and chat with some wonderful ladies without kiddos) and she had a little parfait bar set out for us. 

The layout consisted of greek yogurt, a few kinds of granola, strawberries, raspberries, kiwi and some honey and agave nectar.   

I know greek yogurt has become kind of "trendy" and I have tried it in several recipes and haven't liked it.  I don't like plain yogurt or flavored ones either,  I just don't like any of it.  So when I saw this I was a little nervous but wanted to eat some since she had it set up for us. 

I'm soooo glad I tried it. 

 I discovered something wonderful, when you combine vanilla greek yogurt, strawberries and Nature's Path Organic Coconut Chia Granola (even if you don't like coconut, still try it because I generally don't either) it is such a great snack or sometimes in my case, lunch .  I have tried it with some other granola I had and it's not as good.  This particular granola makes it for me.  Another plus, it's actually good for you!  

Do you ever make parfaits?  If so what's your favorite combination?

Menu Plan Monday

Saturday-  BBQ chicken pitas and sweet potato fries
Not sure where I saw this, but just baked a few chicken breasts.  Cut them into pieces and smothered with BBQ sauce.  Next put BBQ chicken in the pita, add lettuce, cucumber and a salad dressing.  We used Ranch and Chipotle Ranch

Monday -  Our go to Mexican-  quesadilla casserole

Tuesday-  Cilantro Lime Chicken freezer meal
This was one of  the meals I received in our swap so not sure on the exact recipe, but this one looks like it would be similar to what's in my freezer bag

Wednesday-  Steak on the grill pan, Baked potato and green beans

Thursday- Leftovers

Friday-  Baked Chicken, rice pilaf, salad

Saturday-  Wait and see

Happy Menu Planning!

Linking up with Org Junkie!

Homemade Potpourri

A year ago, I got rid of all my Bath and Body Works Wallflowers that I was pretty much addicted to for years.  I went cold turkey. One day unplugged them all, and haven't used them since.  I also don't hardly ever burn candles unless we just really have something going on in here.  I made that choice for the health and true cleanliness of our home.  When I was introduced to Norwex, I started researching about lots of products in the common home and was determined to rid our house of all the chemicals I could.  I like to say our house is mostly a chemical free home but  there are still a few areas that needs some work.

Now that we don't use any air fresheners there are still those times when I just want our house to have a smell.  I have been seeing some Homemade Potpourri recipes and just had to try some for myself.

I decided to do oranges and vanilla.  I love the clean citrus smell of oranges and absolutely love everything vanilla so they should be great together right?

Here's what I did:
-I cut up 2 little cuties with the rind still on, put them in a saucepan.
-Then added 3 tsp vanilla.
-Brought to a boil, then let it simmer for the morning.

 It smelled wonderful and did fill the house with the scent.   I could really smell the vanilla.  I think I would even be just fine with boiling a little vanilla because that scent alone is like heaven to me.

What about you, have you ever made any homemade potpourri or something similar?