So, not content with learning to bake and cook individual dishes, I’ve taken on a challenge from my mum to try to make a friendship cake she gave me (no, I didn’t name it, the instructions she gave me said it’s called Herman!).
So, Herman is a friendship cake which you cannot buy but which you can give away. Herman’s alive and grows slowly but surely because of a yeasting process – it takes 10 days before you can eat him! He should not be put in a fridge, and does not need a lid; just cover him with a tea towel.
I’ve attached a photo of Herman today (Day 1), and here’s a timetable for caring for Herman:
Day 1: Today Herman has been given to you. Congratulations!! Put him in a large bowl, as he will grow.
Day 2:Stir Herman 2-3 times daily with a wooden spoon, which you can leave in the bo
wl.
Day 3: Stir Herman again!
Day 4: Herman is hungry today and needs feeding! Give him 200ml milk, 200g self-raising flour and 250g sugar.
Days 5-8: Stir
Day 9: Herman is hungry again! Feed him as for day 4, then split him into 5. Give away 4 of the cakes, together with a copy of these instructions.
Day 10: Today’s the day to cook Herman! Feed him 150g self-raising flour, 3 eggs, 2tsp cinnamon, 1tsp baking powder, 100g chopped nuts or currants, 2 grated apples, 200ml sunflower oil and 100g sugar. Mix thoroughly, then cook for an hour at 170 degrees. Eat with a lovely cuppa!!
nb On day 10 you may add any combination of spice, cherries, nuts or dried fruit to suit your own taste.
Enjoy making your own Herman cakes!
Donna x
