Friendship bread starter

Friendship bread starter is the beginning stage of a really fun bread to share with family and friends.
This does take 12 days before you can bake so plan accordingly!!!

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

2 cups warm water

1 package active dry yeast

Day 1:  In a glass or ceramic (no metal) bowl, mix the first 3 starter ingredients thoroughly. Leave on the kitchen counter: do not refrigerate

Day 2: Stir

Day 3: Stir

Day 4: Stir

Day 5: Add 1 cup sugar, 1 cup flour, 1 cup milk and mix well.

Day 6: Stir

Day 7: Stir

Day 8: Stir

Day 9: Add another 1 cup sugar, 1 cup flour, 1 cup milk and mix well

Day 10: Stir

Day 11: Stir

Day 12: Ladle 1 cub starter into each of 4 containers and refrigerate. DO NOT REFRIGARATE THE MIXTURE UNTIL DAY 12.  Use one to make the bread, keep 1 for yourself and give the other to 2 friends.

If you do not bake on this day, add 1 teaspoon sugar and refrigerate the mixture. The sugar will feed the yeast and keep it alive. Date the containers and every 10 days remove the starter from the refrigerator, transfer to a bowl and feed it the usual combination of 1 cup sugar, 1 cup flour and 1 cup milk. Let is out of the refrigerator for 2 days and then either bake it or divide it among friends but always save some for yourself.

Some rules to observe: use non metallic bowls, use wooden (or plastic) utensils for stirring, not an electric mixer. Leave the mixture outside the refrigerator. This is so the starter can pick up from the air, the natural yeast flying around your kitchen! Do not use the starter on the day you feed it, the bread will not rise as high. Do not refrigerate the mixture until day 12. Thar starter really multiplies after the 5th day so be sure your container is large enough.

Once you receive your starter you can use these Recipes