UPDATED! 🎄
Are you ready for the holidays?
No doubt this year will be a bit different, but I’ve got you covered with a line-up of great Amish Friendship Bread holiday recipes so you can put together fabulous edible gift baskets and care packages for friends and neighbors, as well as create a festive treat for yourself!
1. CHECKING YOUR LIST: YOUR HOLIDAY PANTRY CHECKLIST
Minimize trips to the grocery store with my free holiday pantry checklist, tailored especially for Amish Friendship Bread baking (it’s free but you’ll need your password to access–look at the bottom of your newsletters for the password, or sign up above).
2. Cinnamon Amish Friendship Bread
Kitchen Friend Brita Britnell added an extra cinnamon crunch ribbon inside the bread to make the classic recipe especially festive.
This sounds absolutely divine! Going to make this for a friend who is just loves cinnamon bread. She’ll get one loaf and I’ll take the other.
Anna Marie on Cinnamon Amish Friendship Bread
3. Chocolate Candy Cane Amish Friendship Bread
This one will have all the kiddies (and a few adults!) raving.
Made a double batch and used 1 box vanilla and 2 boxes gingerbread pudding. Amazing and delicious!!
Becky on Chocolate Candy Cane Amish Friendship Bread
4. Eggnog Amish Friendship Bread Cake
A gorgeous, show-stopping holiday cake.
I bought eggnog just to make this recipe. It is so delicious. I’m adding to my list of favorites!
Corry on Eggnog Amish Friendship Bread Cake
5. Gingerbread Amish Friendship Bread
A warm and spicy delight that promises tons of compliments.
Just made the Gingerbread this evening with my frozen and defrosted Amish bread starter. It came out perfect.
Gloria on Gingerbread Amish Friendship Bread
6. Amish Friendship Bread Eggnog Cookies
Great for festive gift giving and holiday care packages. Plus, add some delicious eggnog frosting on top of these beauties.
Eggnog is a seasonal treat for my family, and these cookies are a treat, too! We add a bit more spice, some cardamom and a touch of ginger, sooooo good!
Sandy on Amish Friendship Bread Eggnog Cookies
7. Rum Raisin Amish Friendship Bread
Rum-soaked raisins make this Amish Friendship Bread variation perfect for carolers and late-night revelers.
8. Christmas Stollen Amish Friendship Bread
Looking for a loaf to wrap up and gift? This is the one! And you can make your own marzipan, too!
9. Amish Friendship Bread Snickerdoodle Cookies
Make sure you’re on Santa’s Nice list by leaving a glass of milk and these Amish Friendship Bread Snickerdoodles by the chimney.
I love making these cookies! My 9 yo. son just asked for them last week as part of our Christmas cookie baking this year. I even made them for my daughter’s wedding reception 2 years ago. I pulled some starter from my freezer and I’m ready! I’m also making some to share for my son’s Christmas concert coming up this weekend. Thanks for the great recipe.
Cindy on Amish Friendship Bread Snickerdoodle Cookies
10. Amish Friendship Bread Fruitcake
What would the holidays be without a little fruitcake? Kitchen Friend Tammy Basile came up with this wonderful Amish Friendship Bread variation.
11. Tuscan-Inspired Amish Friendship Bread Coffee Cake
Festive and delicious, this coffee cake is an easy crowd-pleaser.
I followed the recipe but omitted the nuts and figs and added 2 tsp of cardamom. Well I just finished eating my second slice and this is EXACTLY the coffee cake of my childhood and I couldn’t be happier!.. I’m making more tomorrow and freezing it so I can enjoy a slice everyday. Thank you for this outstanding recipe!
Nancy on Tuscan-Inspired Amish Friendship Bread Coffee Cake
12. Rye and Ginger Amish Friendship Bread
Big kids only … rye whiskey-soaked golden raisins make this bread a great addition to any office holiday party dessert spread.
13. Dress It Up: Festive Tags and Labels for Your Holiday Treats
Don’t forget to label your edible gifts with any of my free custom holiday gift tags, too!
(It’s free but you’ll need your password to access–look at the bottom of your newsletters for the password, or sign up above)
14. Good Reads: An Avalon Christmas
Twelve heartwarming stories of hope and cheer that make every day Christmas.
The small river town of Avalon, Illinois is considered quaint, charming and idyllic. Tourists love to visit and residents are proud to call it home, but this Christmas a secret hides around every corner.
Who’s giving away free turkeys to every house in town? What’s a mysterious homeless man up to when he offers free gift-wrapping in front of the town’s most popular gift shop? Is the grand prize of this year’s annual town fundraiser (one full year of rent or mortgage paid!) a hoax or the real deal? Can a broken relationship between brothers be healed or can unexpected love bloom between the unlikeliest of couples?
Written with heart, wit, and humor, An Avalon Christmas will bring laughter and tears to readers any time of the year.
15. At Your Fingertips: Get the Holiday Cookbook
For yourself or the baker on your list — quick and easy access to your favorite recipes, plus an Amish Friendship Bread starter jar!
16. The Gift That Keeps on Giving: Amish Friendship Bread Starter
If baking feels like too much, keep it simple — gift someone an Amish Friendship Bread starter.
The most important gift you can give this year is kindness and compassion. Okay, that’s two gifts, but you know what I mean. Physical and edible goodies are wonderful and fun, but lasting happiness comes when people feel loved and safe.
Darien Gee, Founder of Friendship Bread Kitchen, dariengee.com
Wondering how to adjust the time when baking mini loaf pans from these recipes. I’m excited to make them for Christmas gifts.
Check out our Conversion Table page, Judy: https://www.friendshipbreadkitchen.com/conversion-tables/ The different bake times are near the bottom of this page.
Happy baking!
I have recently been diagnosed as gluten intolerance so I have to stop using my starter. Can I creat a new gluten free Amish sour dough starter.
Hi Ramona! So far, our potato flake starter has been the only successful gluten-free starter that has worked on a long-term basis: https://www.friendshipbreadkitchen.com/potato-flake-starter-afb/ Let us know if you try it!
Gluten free would be nice. But I like the family meals in under 20 minutes 🙂
I’d love to see more cast iron recipes, can never have enough
I would love some diabetic recipes.
Amish friendship bread was a staple in our Newlywed years of marriage! My husband looked forward to baking day more than me and was always suggesting new ideas. It has been too many years since I made some and think getting back to it needs to be a resolution for 2018!
I love recipes of any kind love bread too
I’d be interested in easy bread recipes without too much kneading.
Maybe some meal prepping ideas & healthy recipes
I would love some recipes. Recipes that are easy quick, and that most people have ingredients on hand for!
I would like to see recipe posts
I would love to see some savory recipes
More desserts!!
I’d love to see more savory bread recipes, and more geared towards cast iron cooking.
I love your recipes and would be interested in low carb if possible
I always need more dessert recipes.
Recipes that can be frozen or for 1-2 people
I’d like to see alllll sorts of different recipes. I like to experiment and taste foods from all over the world. Love the cast iron dutch oven!! Great item to have in every kitchen.
I always like all the recipes you have.
I know it’s bread but maybe some low card recipes?
I’d like to see some recipes that are peanut/tree nut allergen friendly.
Some low calorie recipes.
I love recipes, but how about some other culture recipes so that we can broaden our tastebuds. I love trying new flavors.
I’m new to this blog but in the future I’d like to see possible ways to speed up the starter process. It’s funny I used to make friendship bread years ago, just basic traditional. I never thought about jazzing it up. Definitely interesting to see
I’d love to see some vegan recipes.
I really enjoy the Friendship Bread recipes. My friends always show up on baking day!! 🙂
I gave away the traditional friendship bread in mini loaves as teacher gifts this year, and they all told me they wished they had bigger loaves. One teacher asked for some starter! We’re sharing the bread love at my daughter’s school in 2018.
Healthy and quick recipes!
I enjoy going thru your site. The recipes are great. I have been making sourdough breads for the last couple of years. Just a couple of comments.
Have you considered converting to recipes to using a scale?
A scaled recipe is more accurate in its use. And if you scale weighs in metric, then increasing or decreasing the recipe is super easy.
And, have you considered extending your contests entries to Canada as well?
Recipes and fun ideas for kids cooking!
I absolutely love seeing posts with recipes, some people say there’s enough online, but you can really never have enough!
I like all the delicious recipes. I would like to see healthy, low fat and low sugar recipes. My family has been eating better for some time now.
recipes, recipes, recipes, and none of that gluten free stuff, just real recipes for real people
More recipes!!
It would be great to have some fun recipes to make with kids.
I’d like to see more 30 minute recipes, something for those nights when you get home late and have nothing ready.
i would like to see posts of healthy, tasty and easy recipes
I would love to see some gluten free recipes.
More recipes, please.
I feel like I should ask for more healthy recipes….but I’m hoping for more decadent splurge foods!
I’m new to your blog and have checked out your recipe section, quite a bit there! With that said, one can never have enough desserts!
I just read about the friendship bread tradition and I’m excited to get it started in my town! Thank you!
Quick, easy and family friendly recipes are the best. I have a super picky eater in my home so kid friendly is good. I love to hear the history behind a recipe, is it something passed through generations that you’ve added a twist to, or maybe a recipe you’ve created that your hoping will get passed down.
I was a little sad when I found your page, I just moved to a new state and know two people here, besides my husband. But I think making a batch of Amish Friendship Bread would be a really cool way to get to know people here!
Hi Nia! Welcome to the Friendship Bread Kitchen! I think baking a round of two of Amish Friendship Bread would be a great way for you to say hello to your new community. Have fun baking and sharing — here’s to new adventures and new friendships!
Started my first batch of starter tonight! Very excited to get to the end product!
I love quick and easy!
I’m soo happy to read 2018 will bring Gluten Free and Vegan recipes!! There are so many allergies in my family; I’m anxiously awaiting any options! Thank you and Happy New Year!
Just found your site, love baking and reading and cant wait to try out some of your recipes while readingn heading to amazon now.
Love these recipes and can not wait to try them. Really enjoy baking.
I’d love to see more savory (or at least not sweet) recipes in 2018
I’d like to see community stories in 2018 – featuring a recipe or group of recipes. I’m also a sucker for contests… can you tell? Thanks so much for offering this one! I would also love seasonal-inspired printables. It makes offloading starter seem like a nice thing! 🙂 Haha
I really think what you’re doing is great already. Love reading and trying new recipes. My coworkers are always happy when I bring something in to share and I made quite a few things as gifts for christmas. Thanks for sharing.
I love making different kinds of bread and would love to win the dutch oven.
I want a new book in the series… keep the Friendship recipes and stories coming!
More savory bread recipes, if possible.
Just had my first taste of Amish Friendship Bread, and now must make some. Glad I found your site!
Thanks for stopping by, Denise! Happy holidays!
I am so glad I found this website!
Hi Nikki! Glad to have you hear — thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Love your recipes. I love all things made with a starter. I always have some frozen as well as dried for my off seasons. Bread would be awesome made in the Dutch ovens. Wishing you the. Happiest of Holidays
Hi Kathy! Yes, I’m working on a no-knead Amish Friendship Bread variation, made in a Dutch oven. I can’t wait to share it! Thanks for visiting and happy holidays!
I think your doing a great job! Love the stories & the recipes!
MeLisa, thank you so much for those kind words! Happy holidays!
THanks for an opportunity to win a lovely Dutch oven!
Thanks for being a part of the Friendship Bread Kitchen, Melissa!
My favorite recipes involve making bread.
Us too! You’ve come to the right place! 🙂
I’ve never made my own starter, but this will be such a fun activity for the holiday break! I love all the form variations. Friendship Bread Kitchen makes me feel so domestic 🙂
It’s tons of fun, Coree! Happy baking!
I would like to see more cookie recipes !
Got it, Beth! Thanks for commenting!
I always love seeing yeast bread recipes. 🙂
Ok, Carol! I love those, too!
I’d like to see some healthier recipes, maybe less sugar and less fat. I have an elderly friend who is having issues chewing since she fell and broke her jaw. I’m going to make her the morning glory muffins, I think she would like them. They have some healthier ingredients and I’ll cut back a little on the sugar. But thank you so much for this web site. I love the recipes.
Thank you, Hap! 2018 is definitely going to see some healthier Amish Friendship Bread variations, including gluten free, low sugar, vegan and low fat. Thanks for swinging by the Friendship Bread Kitchen, and happy holidays to you and yours!
I love all the recipes and hope they continue in 2018
Thank you, Brenda!
Amish canning recipes would be awesome!
Thanks, Dawn!
My wife is always looking for more recipes.
Got it! Thanks! 🙂
Yes to Will, Nicole, Nickie and Ann … more Amish Friendship Bread recipes in 2018!
I would love to see as many savory recipes as you can muster!
I’d also like more recipes please
I’d like to see more cookie recipes!
More recipes!
Oh how I enjoy the recipes. Thank you for your hard work and sharing them. I have tried a few and so far they all have been easy and tasty. Keep them coming for 2018. I enjoy the stories too. Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Tina! I’m so grateful to have you as a part of the Friendship Bread Kitchen! Wishing you all the best in the new year!
I love the theme. Keep up the good work! Thank you.
Thanks, Gina! Love your website, too!
Your posts in 2017 has been good. Keep up the good work! 🙂 As for 2018, continue to share recipes and stories that go with the recipes. Do some recipes bring memories of childhood or something grandparents or other families have talked about? Merry Christmas and a have Happy New Year!
Hi Bonnie! Thanks for that feedback — it’s so interesting because I was wondering if the longer narratives with the recipes are distracting if people just want the recipes! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, too!
I love the pecan/date scone recipe, but instead of making 8 scones i add a scant 1/4 cup of sugar to the dry ingredients & roll out the dough to about 3/4 inch thick & then use my biscuit cutter to make scone “cookies”. This makes about 3 dozen ” cookies”. We love them & it stretches the recipe for more to enjoy!
I love this adaption, Trudy! Please post a photo the next time you make them — I’d love to share it with the community! Happy holidays!