Sunday, July 31, 2011

German Friendship Cake (Herman Cake)

What to do if I give you a Herman Cake

Hi, my name is Herman and I am a sour dough cake, I supposed to be on the worktop, without a lid on, for 10 days, during which time you should feed me.

If you put me in the fridge I will die and if I stop bubbling I am dead!

Day 1 is the day you receive the mixture.

Day 1: When you get Herman please take off the lid and put the mixture in a large mixing bowl (2 litres+), cover the bowl loosely with a tea towel or cling film.

Day 2: Stir well

Day 3: Stir well

Day 4: Now I need feeding! Add the following ingredients, stir well and cover again: 1 cup plain flour, 1 cup milk, 1 cup sugar.

Day 5: Stir well

Day 6: Stir well

Day 7: Stir well

Day 8: Stir well

Day 9 : Hungry again! Add the same ingredients as day 4 and stir well.

Now divide the mixture into 4 equal portions.

Save 1 portion to make a cake for yourself tomorrow.

Give portion 2 and 3 away to 2 friends with a copy of these instructions

Keep the final portion for your next cake and follow these instruction to grow me again.

Day 10: Make your Herman cake as follows:

Stir well and add the following ingredients:
1. 1 cup sugar
2. 2 cups plain flour
3. 2 eggs
4. 2 tsp cinnamon
5. 2 tsp vanilla essence
6. 2 tsp baking powder
7. 2/3 cup oil
8. 2 cooking apples peeled, cored and chopped into chunks
9. 1 cup raisins
10. optional extras like cherries nuts, chocolate chips, coconut

Mix all together and pour into a large roasting tin. Bake for 35 - 45 mins at 170 - 180 degrees. When cold cut into fingers.

How to get a Herman started if I've got bored of it and not given one to you:

  • 460g flour
  • 500ml milk
  • 230g sugar
  • 90ml warm water
  • 2 tbsp active dry yeast
  1. Sprinkle 1 tbsp of sugar over the warm water
  2. Sprinkle the yeast over this and leave in a warm place for about 10 minutes to double in size
  3. Mix the milk, sugar, flour and yeast mixture in a large bowl, stir using a wooden spoon
  4. Cover loosely
  5. Place in a warm place and stir every day.

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