Herman

   A lot of blog posts I have visited in the last week have been filled with recipes for Christmas and I thought I would take a break from craft blogging to give you a Christmas recipe gift -

           Introducing......Herman!


   And what is Herman? Herman is a German Sourdough cake - and it is one of the best cakes I have ever made. I am giving you plenty of notice before Christmas to be able to make it, because Herman will be living in your kitchen, breathing, growing, gurgling and he will be the basis for a gorgeous cake and will provide you with three gifts to give to friends so that they can make their own Herman.

      Ingredients  

       1 packet of active dry yeast
       2 fl oz of lukewarm water
       5oz plain flour
       8oz caster sugar
       1/2 pint of warm milk
     
      Method 

       1. Dissolve the yeast in warm water for ten minutes and stir
       2. Add the flour and sugar and mix thoroughly
       3. Stir in the warm milk
       4. Cover the bowl with a clean cloth
       5. Leave in a cool dry place for 24 hours
       6. Follow the other instructions for 10 days


    Now here are the instructions that have to be given to other people if you plan to hand out the remaining portions to friends so that they can 'grow' their own Herman....follow these instructions for the 10 days following making up the starter mix......



     Hello, My name is Herman.
     I am a sourdough cake
     I'm supposed to sit on your worktop for ten days without a lid on. 
     You CANNOT put me in the fridge or I will die
     If I stop bubbling, I am dead.

    Day 1. You get Herman and put him in a bowl and cover him with a cloth (if you made the starter mix you have done this already)
    Day 2. Stir well
    Day 3. Stir well
    Day 4. Herman is hungry - add 5ozs plain flour, 8oz caster sugar and 8fl oz milk. Stir well.
    Day 5. Stir well
    Day 6. Stir well
    Day 7  Stir well
    Day 8. Stir well
    Day 9. Herman is hungry again. Add the same as day 4 and then divide Herman into four equal portions and give away to friends with a copy of these instructions. Keep the fourth portion.
    Day 10. Herman is VERY hungry. Stir well and add the following -

     8oz sugar
     8oz flour
     2 eggs
     2tsp cinnamon
     2 heaped tsp of baking powder
     1/2 tsp salt
     1/3 pint of cooking oil
     2 cooking apples cut into small chunks
     5ozs of raisins or sultanas

      Mix everything together and put into a large greased baking tin. Sprinkle with brown sugar and 2oz of melted butter and bake for about 1hr at about 350f. When cold cut into pieces. Herman freezes well and tastes wonderful served with cream, custard or ice cream.

     This cake can be made in many varieties - you can add any spices or fruit to create your own unique Herman!

    Have fun!!!!! ;o) xxxxxxx