Sourdough Starter for Friendship Bread Recipe

Written by
Carroll Pellegrinelli
Expert baker and published author, Carroll Pellegrinelli shares her knowledge of bread baking and desserts.
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Carroll Pellegrinelli
Updated 08/13/19
Sourdough Bread
Katarina Lofgren/Getty Images
  • Total: 45 mins
  • Prep: 45 mins
  • Cook: 0 mins
  • Yield: 3 cups starter (3 servings)
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
157 Calories
4g Fat
26g Carbs
4g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 3 cups starter (3 servings)
Amount per serving
Calories 157
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 4g 6%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 475mg 21%
Total Carbohydrate 26g 9%
Dietary Fiber 3g 11%
Protein 4g
Calcium 83mg 6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Here is the recipe for the ​sourdough starter needed to make Friendship Bread. This sourdough starter can be kept indefinitely, just as long as it's replenished every 10 days to 2 weeks.

"Friendship Bread" earned its name because people are known to share their sourdough starter and pass it around to family and friends.

Ingredients

  • 1 package active dry yeast (1/4 ounce envelope)
  • 2 and 1/2 cups warm water (110 to 115 degrees) divided
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon sugar or honey

Steps to Make It

  1. Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water. Stir in remaining 2 cups warm water, flour, and sugar. Beat until smooth.

  2. Cover with cheesecloth and let stand at room temperature 5 to 10 days or until bubbly, stirring mixture 2 to 3 times each day. A warmer room speeds up the fermentation process.

  3. To store, transfer the starter to a jar, cover with cheesecloth and refrigerate. Do not cover jar tightly with a metal lid. It will explode.

Tips

  • To Use Starter: Make sure to bring the desired amount to room temperature before adding it to the sourdough bread recipe.
  • To Replenish: Stir 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup warm water and 1 teaspoon granulated sugar or honey into the remaining amount. Cover, and let stand at room temperature at least 1 day or until bubbly. Refrigerate for later use.
  • If the starter isn't used within 10 days, stir in 1 teaspoon sugar or honey. Repeat every 10 days until used.
  • The Friendship Bread recipe calls for 1 cup of starter, which will make 2 loaves.