Herman the German Friendship Cake

Herman is a friendship cake which you cannot buy but can give away. Herman is alive and grows slowly but surely because of a yeasting process. It takes 10 days before you can eat him

Supplies

Ingredients

Starter ingredients:

2 cups flour

1/4 cup sugar

2 cups warm water

2 1/4 tsp of yeast

Ingredients needed for the feeding step on Day 5 and 10:

1 cup flour

1 cup milk

1/2 cup sugar

Ingredients for the one portion of Herman, to turn him into a cake:

300g flour

2 tsp baking powder

200g caster sugar

1/2 tsp salt

150ml sunflower oil

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 apple, cut into small chunks

300g mixed berries (frozen berries)

2 Tbsp brown sugar, optional topping

Tools:

wooden spoon

whisk

sieve

large mixing bowl

measuring cups

measuring spoons

liquid measuring cup

tea towel

cake tin

baking paper

spatula

cooling rack

optional, cake plate

Day 1

Mix starter ingredients in a bowl, cover with a tea towel and let stand at room temperature undisturbed for 24 to 36 hours.

Day 2, 3 and 4

Talk to Herman Daily and give him a little mix. If you listen closely, you can hear Herman bubbling and popping, he is talking back to you. Now, Herman will also start to smell a bit strange but don't panic this is good, he is fermenting.

Day 5

On the 5th day, feed Herman, he is starving! (Ingredients from day 5 set). Stir and cover.

Day 6, 7, 8 and 9

Each day give Herman a nice relaxing mix and make sure to talk to him 2 or 3 times a day, so he doesn't get lonely. Remember to listen to his feedback, you can hear him bubble and fizz. He will also smell a bit strange but don't panic this is good, he is fermenting.