There’s something magical about stepping into my Amish friend’s kitchen, nestled in the heart of Amish country. Every time I visit, I’m greeted by the rich, warm smell of bread baking in the oven. It’s a scent that’s part of the house itself, as if every loaf she’s ever made has left a little piece of itself behind. Her kitchen has this comforting charm, filled with all the little touches that make an Amish home so welcoming. And of course, there’s always something fresh out of the oven.
Recently she shared her recipe for white bread with me. “It’s nothing special,” she said, but I knew better. It’s the recipe that fills her kitchen with that bakery-like aroma every day, the one she uses as a base for her famous cinnamon rolls. I scribbled it down quickly, excited to bring a bit of that warmth into my own kitchen.
Baking is a big part of an Amish woman’s day, and in my Women of Lawrence County Series, each woman takes the time to bake and make hearty meals for her family. Food is more than sustenance; it’s an expression of love and tradition, filling homes with warmth and connection. If you’d like to experience what it’s like to walk through a day in the life of an Amish woman, give any of the books in this series a try.
Each story invites you into the heart of Amish life, where faith, family, and food are at the center.
Here’s my friend’s tried-and-true recipe for Amish White Bread. Give it a try and maybe you’ll feel like you’re right there in her cozy kitchen too.
Amish White Bread Recipe
Ingredients: (Makes 2 loaves)
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp salt
- 1 Tbsp yeast
- 1/4 cup lard (you can use shortening)
- 3 cups warm water
- 2 cups flour (you’ll need extra for kneading – see step #2))
Instructions:
- Mix everything together and let it sit for about ten minutes.
- Give it a good beating, adding more flour until it forms a soft, manageable dough. (Use approx. 2-3 cups more flour)
- Knead it until smooth and elastic.
- Let it rise until it’s doubled in size, then punch it down and let it rise again.
- Shape into loaves and give it one final rise.
- Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes, and enjoy the heavenly scent filling your home!
What can I substitute for lard?
Lard — A staple in our home growing up but I haven’t used it in 60 years. What can I use instead?
Lynda, You can use shortening instead of the lard. I grew up on lard as well and I always use shortening in this recipe.
I love that you share Amish Recipes. I will have to try this recipe out.
I used to make a lot of bread in my younger days using my grandmother-in-law’s recipe.
I have read & enjoyed all of your books…I’m looking forward to the new ones set to be released in 2025
This recipe is junk. The measurements are way off. If you make it the way it’s written, your dough will be super wet and unworkable. You need to add significantly more flour than what this recipe calls for.
Jenna I’m so sorry you had trouble with the recipe. I did make a note in the recipe that you would need to add more flour to get to the correct consistency.
I am going to try this bread recipe this weekend.Thank you for sharing.
How can I save it on my I Pad.?
What type of flour are you using?
I use all-purpose flour.
Going to try the bread today but would also love to get her cinnamon bun recipe.
I
ll see if she will share it with me the next time I talk to her.