Dessert

Chocolate Amish Friendship Bread Recipe

ByHarper Ellington December 18, 2025December 18, 2025

Introduction

Chocolate Amish Friendship Bread is a rich, moist treat that combines the classic tangy starter with deep cocoa flavor and melty chocolate chips. This loaf is perfect for sharing with friends or enjoying as a comforting dessert or snack.

The image shows a thick rectangular chocolate cake loaf on a wooden board. The cake has a cracked top with some chocolate chips slightly melted on its surface. The texture looks soft and moist with rich dark brown color. The loaf is positioned at an angle to show the front and top sides clearly. The background is a white marbled surface with some white plates and a knife blurred behind the cake. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup Amish Friendship Bread starter
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup milk
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark)
Optional: chopped nuts, cinnamon sugar, or chocolate glaze

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan to prevent sticking.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the Amish Friendship Bread starter, flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix until there are no lumps.
Step 3: Add the vegetable oil, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry mixture. Stir gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
Step 4: Fold in the chocolate chips evenly throughout the batter.
Step 5: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it out evenly.
Step 6: Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Step 7: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Tips & Variations

For extra texture, add 1/2 cup of chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans.
Swirl cinnamon sugar on top before baking for a sweet crust.
Drizzle with chocolate glaze after cooling for a richer finish.
Use dark chocolate chips for a more intense chocolate flavor.
Be careful not to overmix the batter to keep the bread light and tender.

Storage

Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap it tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, warm slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or toast lightly.

How to Serve

A dark brown chocolate cake loaf with a rough, crumbly texture sits on a round wooden board, topped with small chocolate chips scattered unevenly on the surface. Two thick slices are cut from the loaf and placed in front of it, showing the moist inside with visible chocolate bits. To the right, a white cup with steaming coffee rests on a white saucer, with steam rising clearly against a dark gray background. The scene is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

What is Amish Friendship Bread starter?

Amish Friendship Bread starter is a sweet, fermented mixture of flour, sugar, milk, and yeast that acts like a sourdough starter. It gives the bread a unique tangy flavor and helps it rise.

Can I make this recipe without the starter?

Without the starter, the bread loses its characteristic flavor and texture. However, you can substitute with a standard quick bread recipe, but it won’t have the same tangy depth.