Lemon Fruit Bread

My dear pal Sig sent me some starter for the Amish Friendship Bread so I decided to make this Lemon Fruit Bread with it. Not only was she nice enough to send the starter, she actually sent me a bread book! Thanks a bunch, Sig, you know how much I appreciate it.

Unlike the yeast-leavened traditional earthy breads (like the Ciabatta Olive bread with a Biga)which need to rise, and maybe rise again a few times, this bread is along the lines of banana bread and zucchini bread and such which are closer to cake recipes, using beaten eggs, baking powder and baking soda for the rise and fluffiness.

The starter came with the traditional Amish Friendship Bread recipe so I decided to try it out, with a few simple substitutions.

It turned out moist, fluffy and moderately sweet (just the way I like it - not too sweet). I've passed along the starter to some of my friends who don't have a food blog to pass along the goodwill...

Ingredients

wet: 1 cup starter 1 cup oil 1/2 cup milk 3 eggs 1 tsp vanilla

dry: 2 cups flour 1 cup sugar 1½ tsp baking powder ½ tsp baking soda 2 tsp cinnamon 1 - (5.1 oz) box instant lemon pudding mix 1/2 tsp salt

additional: 1 cup chopped prunes, figs, dates, apples 1 Tbsp lemon zest (optional) 2-3 Tbsp lemon juice (optional)

Preparation

1. Beat the eggs till fluffy
2. Heat the oven to 325°F ; Grease two bread pans and keep handy
3. Combine the dry ingredients in a plastic or ceramic bowl, make a well in the center
4. add the wet ingredients and mix gently with a spatula till well incorporated, do not over beat
5. stir in the additional ingredients, if using
6. Pour the batter into the two bread pans equally, spread a bit to fill the corners and bake in the 325°F oven for about one hour, or till done
7. Remove from oven, allow to cool for 10-15 minutes, slice and enjoy!