Herman Sour Dough Starter for Cakes Recipes

2 cups flour 2 cups milk 1 cup sugar 1/3 cup warm water 2 Tbsp or 2 packets active dry yeast

Today is day 0. Record the date/day on calendar. Sprinkle 1 Tbsp of the sugar over the warm water. Sprinkle yeast over this and let stand in warm place to double in size. (approx. 10 min.) Mix milk, remaining sugar, flour and yeast mixture in a large plastic or glass container, (metal objects ****** Herman's natural growth.) Stir, using only a wooden spoon or paddle. Cover loosely or place plate over top of container so Herman can breathe. Herman doubles, even triples at times of vigorous rising. Place Herman in a warm place. Next day is Day 1 and you now proceed following instructions below as if youd been given a friendship cake mixture to grow. Try to stir at least once each day.

HERMAN THE FRIENDSHIP CAKE

Herman is a friendship cake which you cant buy, but you can give him away. He grows slowly but surely because of the yeast in him. It is usually 10 days before you can eat him. Herman doesnt have to be kept in the fridge and doesnt require a lid just covering him with a tea towel is sufficient. Herman grows at room temperature.

If you would like to spread a little friendship follow through instructions below and at end of 10 days you will have a cake to eat and four starter kits to pass on.

If you cannot wait to have your cake and eat it, go straight to day 10, but you will forego the opportunity to pass on some friendship.

Day 1: Today Herman is given to you. Put him in a big bowl (At least 4pt capacity). Cover Herman loosely so he can breathe. A tea towel or loose lid is ideal.

Days 2 & 3: Stir Herman 2-3 times a day with a wooden spoon (do not use metal, and which you can leave in the bowl)

Day 4: Herman is hungry. Give him the following:200mls milk 200g self-raising flour 250g sugar

Days 5, 6, 7 & 8: Stir Herman 2-3 times a day.

Day 9: Herman is hungry again. Give him the same ingredients you gave him on Day 4. Stir well then divide him into 5 equal parts. Give 4 baby Hermans away with a copy of this sheet. (or keep one back for yourself to grow and redistribute to other friends) Keep the 5th portion to bake.

Day 10: Herman is absolutely starving. He needs a holiday. He likes to go to a hot resort. The oven is his favourite. Pre-heat oven to 170C (150C fan-assisted oven) and grease a cake tin generously. Prepare him for his holiday using one of the following:-

1. Fruit cake Recipe: 150g self-raising flour, 100g finely chopped nuts/raisins, 200mls oil, half teaspoon of baking powder, 2 teaspoons cinnamon,

3 eggs, 2 grated apples, Bake in loaf tin or 9 x 9 cake tin Other recipes: Chocolate Cranberry Cake Recipe: 150g self raising flour, 250g sugar,100ml oil, 1/2tsp salt, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp baking powder, 2 eggs, 3 oz melted semi-sweet chocolate, 100g semi-dried cranberries. Bake 3035 mins in loaf tin or 20-25 mins in two 8-inch sandwich tins, and sandwich together with cream &/ thick cooked cranberries sauce .

Double chocolate Cake: cup butter at room temp,1 cup white sugar, 1 cup brown sugar, 4 eggs, cup unsweetened cocoa, 1 cup self raising flour, tsp salt, 1 tbsp vanilla extract, cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, cup chopped nuts. Bake in 9 inch square pan.

Ginger Cake :150g self-raising flour,1 tsp ground ginger, tsp cinnamon, tsp bicarbonate soda, pinch of salt, 125g golden syrup, 60g finely chopped stem ginger, 1 tbsp ginger syrup from stem ginger jar, 2 heaped tbsp sultanas, 75g dark muscavado suger, 2 eggs, 150 ml milk, 75 ml butter at room temp/softened in microwave

Mix everything together and pour into a very well greased cake tin. Bake for 40 mins to one hour, depending on your tin. Cool in tin for 10 mins then turn out.