From the Kitchen: Quick Amish Friendship Bread

Growing up, there was a family that lived on our block that always brought over loaves of Amish friendship bread.  It didn't last long in our house!  They made it the legit way too, using the "starter", which I don't fully understand but I think it's similar to making sourdough bread.  

I don't have the patience for that, so I was excited to try out a cheater recipe that doesn't involve use of the starter!  Even better, this can be made with ingredients most people always keep on hand, which means you can whip up some delicious quick bread whenever you want!  I love how the top gets a crunchy cinnamon-sugar topping!  This bread is great for breakfast or just for a snack!

Quick Amish Friendship Bread

Adapted from The Semisweet Sisters
Yield: 1 large loaf, or 3 mini loaves

Ingredients:

Bread:
1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice (or 1 cup buttermilk if you happen to have that on hand...but who does?)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda

Cinnamon/sugar swirl and topping:
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

Grease 1 - 9"x5" loaf pan or 3 - 5.75"x3" mini loaf pans.

Using an electric mixer, cream together the butter, sugar, vanilla extract, and egg until light and fluffy.  Add the milk, flour, and baking soda, and mix until combined.  

In a separate bowl, stir together the sugar and cinnamon for the swirl/topping.

Pour half of the batter into the greased loaf pan(s) and use a rubber spatula to smooth the top (the batter will be thick).   Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture on top of the batter.  Top with the remaining half of the bread batter.  

Use a butter knife to swirl the batter around in the pan to swirl the middle cinnamon-sugar layer.  Smooth the top of the batter with a rubber spatula, and top with the remaining cinnamon sugar.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 40-45 minutes (mini loaf pans) or 50-60 minutes (9"x5" loaf pan), or until a toothpick comes out clean.