Amish Friendship Bread Starter

Step 1
Dissolve yeast in warm water in a small bowl; let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes.

Step 2
Combine 1 cup flour and 1 cup sugar in a 2-quart container (glass, plastic, or ceramic); mix thoroughly. Stir in 1 cup milk and yeast mixture. Cover the container loosely and leave at room temperature until bubbly. This is day 1 of the 10-day process.

Step 3
Days 2 through 4: Stir starter with a spoon. Day 5: Stir in 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk. Days 6 through 9: Stir starter with a spoon.

Step 4
Day 10: Stir in remaining 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk. Remove 1 cup starter to make your first bread. Give 2 cups starter to friends (1 cup each) along with this recipe and your favorite Amish bread recipe. Store remaining 1 cup starter in a container in the refrigerator or begin the 10-day process over again (beginning with step 2).