One slice of Amish friendship bread lands around 180–320 calories, mostly from carbs, with fat rising when oil and mix-ins are added.
Light Slice
Standard Slice
Loaded Slice
Classic Cinnamon
- Starter-based batter
- Sugar crust on top
- Vanilla pudding mix
Balanced
Reduced Sugar
- Cut batter sugar 25%
- Skip glaze/topping
- Boost cinnamon
Lighter
Chocolate Chip
- Mini chips only
- Hold the glaze
- Small handful mix-ins
Indulgent
What This Sweet Starter Bread Is
This loaf uses a fermented starter with flour, milk, yeast, and a little sugar. The result is a soft crumb and a cinnamon crust. Recipes vary, and that affects calories and macros slice to slice.
Most home formulas lean on all-purpose flour, vegetable oil, eggs, pudding mix, cinnamon, and a sugar sprinkle. The starter adds a tang, but the bigger calorie movers are flour, added sugar, and oil.
Amish Friendship Bread Calories And Macros
Because recipes differ, there isn’t one universal label. The community behind a popular recipe hub even says nutrition can’t be standardized since every starter is a little different. That said, you can ballpark a range with pantry math and a kitchen scale.
| Loaf Style | Calories Per Slice | Carbs Per Slice |
|---|---|---|
| Classic cinnamon loaf | ~220–260 | ~32–38 g |
| Reduced sugar loaf | ~180–210 | ~26–31 g |
| Chocolate chip loaf | ~260–320 | ~34–42 g |
| Nut-heavy loaf | ~250–310 | ~30–36 g |
Where do those numbers come from? Flour brings about 364 kcal per 100 g and sugar sits near 387 kcal per 100 g. Whole milk adds energy and small amounts of protein. Cinnamon itself adds minimal calories. Oil adds the most density by volume. Portions matter, too: a thick cut can double the energy of a thin slice.
How To Estimate Your Slice
Grab the loaf pan you use most. Weigh your finished bread, subtract the pan, then divide by the number of slices you cut. Multiply by a per-gram estimate using the ingredients you used. It’s simple batch math and gets you close enough for logging.
Step-By-Step Method
- List your ingredients and amounts (cups, grams, or ounces).
- Convert to grams so the math stays tidy.
- Multiply grams by energy per 100 g for each item.
- Add everything for total loaf calories.
- Divide by slice count (start with 14 slices per loaf).
Quick Reality Check
If you swapped oil for applesauce, lowered sugar, or packed in chocolate chips, adjust your estimate. Oil pushes numbers up fast; applesauce leans the other way. Chips and nuts add density and can shift a slice by 40–80 kcal.
Starter, Sugar, And Flour: What Drives The Numbers
The starter uses flour, milk, and sugar to stay active. That adds carbs, plus small amounts of protein from flour and milk. Flour carries starch and gluten proteins; sugar is pure carbohydrate with 0 g protein. Whole milk brings lactose, fat, and calcium.
Need a neutral reference while you crunch numbers? Scan sugar calories per 100 g and flour calories per 100 g. You’ll see why flour and sugar dominate the tally while spices add almost nothing per slice.
Make It Lighter Without Losing The Mood
Small choices shift the profile while keeping the same cozy slice. Cut back on the sugar sprinkle, trim oil by a few tablespoons, and lean on cinnamon for flavor. Vanilla extract gives aroma without many calories.
Swap Ideas That Work
- Trim the granulated sugar in batter by 25% and skip glaze.
- Swap half the oil for unsweetened applesauce.
- Use low-fat milk in the batter and starter feed.
- Stir in chopped nuts sparingly; they’re calorie-dense.
- Stick to a modest slice; savor, don’t gulp.
Portion Guide And Serving Tips
Cut 12–16 slices per loaf. Pair a slice with coffee or tea and something with protein, like plain yogurt or scrambled eggs, to round out the plate. For a dessert-leaning spread, add fresh berries for volume without many calories.
Ingredient Impact, At A Glance
| Ingredient | What It Adds | Practical Tip |
|---|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | Carbs, some protein | Measure by weight for steady results |
| Granulated sugar | Pure carbs | Reduce in batter or skip topping |
| Vegetable oil | High calories per tablespoon | Swap half for applesauce |
| Whole milk | Calories, lactose, protein | Use lower-fat milk if you like |
| Cinnamon | Flavor, minimal calories | Boost spice for sweetness effect |
| Chocolate chips | Fat and sugar | Fold in a small handful |
| Nuts or raisins | Calories and texture | Sprinkle, don’t pour |
Label Variance And Why Ranges Help
Recipes online span pudding mixes, buttermilk swaps, or no-starter shortcuts. That’s why calorie counts posted on forums can feel all over the map. A range gives a truer picture than a single number.
For context on that variance, the team at Friendship Bread Kitchen explains that a precise label isn’t realistic because starter age and feed rate change the data batch to batch.
Sensible Add-Ins And Toppings
Want a richer bite? Toast chopped pecans, stir in mini chips, or brush a tiny layer of butter on a warm slice. Prefer a lighter feel? Skip the sugar crust, add more cinnamon, and use a thin glaze made with milk powder and water.
Storage, Freezing, And Fresher Slices
Wrap loaves once they cool so moisture stays in. Freeze in thick slices with parchment between layers so you can grab one at a time. Reheat in a toaster oven so the edges crisp without drying out the crumb.
Need Ingredient References?
If you like a deeper dive into the starter itself, the primer at Allrecipes on the starter covers the feed cycle and why this bread runs sweeter than classic sourdough. Use that background while you plan swaps and slice sizes.
Practical Takeaway For Bakers
You can keep this loaf in your rotation by minding slice thickness and sweeteners. Trim sugar, swap some oil, and keep add-ins modest. The flavor still shines, and your numbers stay in a comfortable range.