Herman Friendship Cake??

Maven

The version of the recipe I was given is very similar but suggests 200g of self raising flour. The cake is great, strongly recommended!

HannahIOW

I was given a Herman by a work colleague and he is ready to be shared tonight

spiddy100

Just been reading this with interest. I have a Hermann sitting on my worktop bubbling away nicely If any OSers would like one of his babies, please PM me - East Dorset/West Hants sort of area

thetheboy

we've just got a Herman too, soooooooooooooooooooooooo exited!

Lizbetty

Hi everyone!

A new Mum friend at my daughter's school asked me if I did any baking... which I do. Turns out she has been given some yeast which her and her children have to stir and talk to, and eventually split into five and hand out to her friends.

I was overjoyed to be asked - I remember my mum being given some of this yeast in a jam jar when I was 6 (30 years ago!!!) and the cake she made with it was lovely. I often wished we'd had more

Anyway. I guess my new friend is still talking to and stirring hers as we haven't got any yet, but I thought it would be lovely to hear whether anyone else has heard of this before?

Here's a link to it with more info...

It seems it's an Amish tradition. Anyway, it just seemed a lovely old style thing to do so I thought I'd post for those who haven't heard of it and fancy trying it.

Lucy

Pink.

Hi lucy,

As you thread has dropped down the board I've added it to our existing one on friendship cake.

Pink

suzybloo

oh I remember this from the 70's/80's - will have a look at the recipe and have a go a restarting the friendship cake here!

Many thanks!

vonydi

There is also a recipe for a starter batch

Sallylizzie wrote: »

I remember as a child my mum and nan used to have a cake they used to keep the "dough" in the corner of the living room for a while ( I want to say weeks but that sounds yucky) but it seemed ages anyway. It was left to develop and we used to get in trouble for sticking our fingers in to eat it cas it was delish.
Anyway although vaigue my memories at dough used to rise and my mum covered it as before she baked it used to pass some back to my nan for her to make a cake.
I can't ask either of them if this is a real memory or a fake one for reasons I won't go into, but I'd love to know if anyone has a chance in hell of recognising what I'm going on about and giving me the recipe
Please!!!!
Many thanks
SL X

mumof3plusoh

It tastes gorgeous and freezes really well. I usually give one part away, keep one to start again and bake a double batch. I then cut up and freeze some and eat some. We end up with cake to eat whilst Herman is getting ready to be baked!;)

plipsurt

Hi I currently have a Herman on the go. If you fancy starting the chain, You are beginning on Day 0 and from the next day, pick up as the thread above says: here is the recipe.............

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 destroy 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 you’d been given a friendship cake mixture to grow. Try to stir at least once each day.