AMISH PUMPKIN BREAD

1 2/3 c . flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/3 c . shortening
1 1/3 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1 c. mashed pumpkin (canned pumpkin is just fine)
1/3 c. water
1. Preheat oven 350 degrees
2 Grease loaf pan.
3. Stir flour, baking powder, soda, salt & spices.
4. Cream shortening, sugar, vanilla before adding eggs one at a time & beating thoroughly after each addition.
5. Stir in pumpkin.
6. Add dry ingredients, alternating w/ water, beating just until smooth. DO NOT overbeat.
7. Put batter in pan.
8. Bake in preheated oven at 350 for 45-55 minutes or until done.
9. Turn bread on wire rack & allow to cool before storing it in an air tight container.
10 .Slice and serve w/ butter

AMISH BREAD STARTER

Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Ready In: 9 Days 40 MinutesYields: 4 servings
"Yeast, sugar, milk and flour ferment to make starter for sweet bread. Because the recipe produces so much starter, give some away to friends."

INGREDIENTS:
1 (.25 ounce) package active
dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (110
degrees F/45 degrees C)
3 cups all-purpose flour,
divided
3 cups white sugar, divided
3 cups milk
DIRECTIONS:
1.
In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Let stand 10 minutes. In a 2 quart container glass, plastic or ceramic container, combine 1 cup flour and 1 cup sugar. Mix thoroughly or flour will lump when milk is added. Slowly stir in 1 cup milk and dissolved yeast mixture. Cover loosely and let stand until bubbly. Consider this day 1 of the 10 day cycle. Leave loosely covered at room temperature.
2.
On days 2 thru 4; stir starter with a spoon. Day 5; stir in 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Days 6 thru 9; stir only.
3.
Day 10; stir in 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Remove 1 cup to make your first bread, give 2 cups to friends along with this recipe, and your favorite Amish Bread recipe. Store the remaining 1 cup starter in a container in the refrigerator, or begin the 10 day process over again (beginning with step 2).