I hope you are all enjoying the Easter weekend.
I'd like to introduce you to my friend Herman.... Herman the German in particular. And he is a sourdough cake. A very delicious cake. This cake is also known as a Friendship Cake and its roots stem from the Amish Community. It's a bit like a "chain cake" rather than a "chain letter"! I'll explain further...
I was kindly given Herman by a colleague at work. Herman starts off as a live culture which, after 10 days of loving and feeding, you divide into four portions, giving three away to friends (to carry on the chain) and one portion you make into a loving cake... I was luckily given one of the portions to take home and love. So here's what happens:
Day 1. Take Herman home and place into a large bowl which can hold 2 litres. Cover him with a clean tea towel and leave him in a safe dry place. Do not place Herman in the fridge as the cold will kill him. If Herman stops bubbling, then he has died :-(
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| Say hello to Herman! |
Day 3. Say hello again, and give him a good stir!
Day 4. Today you need to feed Herman the following:
- 115g plain flour
- 225g granulated sugar
- 235ml of milk
Give Herman a good stir and cover again.
Day 5, 6, 7, and 8 - Stir well!
Day 9. Herman is hungry again! Feed him the same as day 4. Once all of the ingredients have been combined, divided the mixture into 4 equal portions. This is where you give three of the portions away to friends with a copy of the recipe. The forth portion gets turned into a cake on day 10!
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| This is Herman, divided into 4 portions. Three to be given to new homes and one to make the cake! |
In a large bowl add the following:
- 225g plain flour
- 225g caster sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla essence
- 2 heaped tsp of cinnamon
- 2 heaped tsp of baking power
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 160ml vegetable or sunflower oil
- 2 cooking apples, cored, peeled and chopped into chunks
- 100g of nuts (optional)
- 100g of sultanas (optional)
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| Here are the dried ingredients in a large bowl, and the egg, oil and vanilla in a jug. ready to go. |
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| Add the oil and egg mixture as well as Herman. |
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| Stir well with a wooden spoon. |
Pour the mixture into a large greased roasting tin. I tend to line my with grease proof paper as it makes it easier to take it out. Sprinkle with 50g of brown sugar and pour over the 50g of melted butter.
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| Place into deep baking tray and pour over the melted butter and brown sugar |
Bake Herman in the oven (170C / Gas 4) for 45 minutes. Do check after 25 as he may be ready.
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| Bake until golden brown! |
Allow Herman to cool and cut into slices. He freezes very well too!
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| You can enjoy Herman warm with some ice cream or save him for afternoon tea! |
If you want to start you own Herman, here's what to do:
You will need:
- 140g plain flour
- 225g castor sugar
- 7g of active dry yeast
- Half a pint of warm milk
- 2fl oz of lukewarm water
Dissolve the yeast in the warm water for 10minutes and stir. Then add the flour and sugar and stir. Slowly stir in the warm milk. Cover the bowl with a clean tea towel. Leave for 24hours and then start the 10 day cycle and off you go!
Enjoy!
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