Herman the friendship cake

Today I got the following text message 'would you like to try a friendship cake, can deliver in next half hour'. Always game for an adventure I of course replied yes. A small blue container was delivered with some pale liquid in it and a photocopied sheet. I had no idea what to expect, well quite possibly a actual cake - so this was quite entertaining. I'll keep you posted on how me and Herman get on together.

Herman is a friendship cake which you cant buy, but you can give him away. He grows slowly but surely because of the yeast in him. It is usually 10 days before you can eat him.

Herman doesn't have to be kept in the fridge and doesn't require a lid just covering him with a tea towel is sufficient. Herman grows at room temperature.

If you would like to spread a little friendship follow through instructions below and at end of 10 days you will have a cake to eat and four starter kits to pass on.

If you cannot wait to have your cake and eat it, go straight to day 10, but you will forego the opportunity to pass on some friendship.

Day 1: Today Herman is given to you. Put him in a big bowl (At least 4pt capacity). Cover Herman loosely so he can breathe. A tea towel or loose lid is ideal.

Days 2 & 3: Stir Herman 2-3 times a day with a wooden spoon (do not use metal, and which you can leave in the bowl)

Day 4: Herman is hungry. Give him the following:-

200mls milk

200g self-raising flour

250g sugar

Days 5, 6, 7 & 8: Stir Herman 2-3 times a day.

Day 9: Herman is hungry again. Give him the same ingredients you gave him on Day 4. Stir well then divide him into 5 equal parts. Give 4 baby Hermans away with a copy of this sheet. (or keep one back for yourself to grow and redistribute to other friends). Keep the 5th portion to bake.

Day 10: Herman is absolutely starving. He needs a holiday. He likes to go to a hot resort. The oven is his favourite. Pre-heat oven to 170C (150C fan-assisted oven) and grease a cake tin generously. Prepare him for his holiday using one of the following:-

1. Fruit cake Recipe:

150g self-raising flour,

100g finely chopped nuts/raisins,

200mls oil,

half teaspoon of baking powder,

2 teaspoons cinnamon,

3 eggs, 2 grated apples,

Bake in loaf tin or 9" x 9" cake tin

Other recipes: 

Chocolate Cranberry Cake Recipe: 150g self raising flour, 250g sugar,100ml oil, 1/2tsp salt, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp baking powder, 2 eggs, 3 oz melted semi-sweet chocolate, 100g semi-dried cranberries. Bake 30-35 mins in loaf tin or 20-25 mins in two 8-inch sandwich tins, and sandwich together with cream &/ thick cooked cranberries sauce .

Double chocolate Cake: 1cup butter at room temp, 1 cup white sugar, 1 cup brown sugar, 4 eggs, cup unsweetened cocoa, 1cup self raising flour, tsp salt, 1 tbsp vanilla extract, cup semi-sweet chocolate chips,  cup chopped nuts. Bake in 9 inch square pan.

Ginger Cake :150g self-raising flour,1 tsp ground ginger, tsp cinnamon, tsp bicarbonate soda, pinch of salt, 125g golden syrup, 60g finely chopped stem ginger, 1 tbsp ginger syrup from stem ginger jar, 2 heaped tbsp sultanas, 75g dark muscavado suger, 2 eggs, 150 ml milk, 75 ml butter at room temp/softened in microwave

Mix everything together and pour into a very well greased cake tin. Bake for 40 mins to one hour, depending on your tin. Cool in tin for 10 mins then turn out.