Amish Friendship Bread

I recently got a Friendship bread starter from my good friends, The Savages. You have to keep it in a gallon sized container for 10 days, un-refrigerated, kneading it and sometimes adding things to it before splitting the batch up and baking it on the last day. According to legend, only the Amish know how to make the original starter so the only way to get it is by having someone pass it to you. I was totally fascinated by it, kneading it every day, and watching the bag grow from it's contents (I don't know for sure but it must have some type of yeast in it). I finally got to make it the other day, and it is so delicious! Imagine a really soft breakfast bread that is cinnamon and vanilla-y....


The batch made 4 mini loaves and about 8 cupcakes... it was fun sharing the good with friends and family, and hopefully I'll get another starter in the near future!

Valentine's Day Cupcakes

Since Brad is such a sugar lover it was only fitting that I make him something sweet for Valentine's Day. I debated what I should make him and finally settled on Red Velvet Cupcakes. In the search for the right recipe, I found this one from Paula Deen of The Food Network. I was a bit nervous as I have watched her show and her food tends to be full of butter and fat, but I followed the modifications that reviewers had suggested, and I was really happy!

The recipe called for 2 Tablespoons of red food coloring -- That's a ton!!! Boy were they red though...


I finally made my own frosting (I usually just buy some) and I'm so glad I did! It tastes heavenly and was really easy! Now I have a ton left over - guess I'll have to make something else for it to go on!



Brad seemed genuinely touched (esp. when he found out I accidentally burned my arm on the stove in the process) and my co-workers loved all the extras!

My frosting / decorating skills still need some work, but it's the taste anyhow, right?