A spiced, fruit and nut-filled coffee cake
made with a sourdough starter fondly called "Herman"
for years by enthusiasts who have been know to share "Herman"
with friends so they too can share in this yummy coffee cake.
The cake is also known as Amish Friendship Cake
Herman Coffee
Cake
Herman Sourdough Starter:
2 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 cups warm water (for
best results, use bottled spring water instead of tap water.)
1 (0.25-ounce) packet
active dry yeast
Herman Coffee Cake:
1 cup Herman Sourdough
Starter
1 cup granulated sugar
2 cups self-rising flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2/3 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 cup raisins or dates
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 tablespoon honey
Sugar-Nut Topping:
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
To Make Herman Sourdough
Starter: Mix all starter ingredients in a non-metallic bowl,
cover and let stand over night (cover should be loose, try using
a tea towel or anything that allows the starter to breathe).
Refrigerate and stir daily. On fifth day feed Herman one cup
flour, 1 cup milk and 1/2 cup sugar; stir and refrigerate. Stir
daily until 10th day. On 10th day remove 1 cup starter and feed
as on fifth day.
For Herman Coffeecake:
Preheat oven to 350*F (175*C). Grease four 8-inch pans or three
9-inch pans.
Mix together 1 cup starter,
sugar, self-rising flour, salt, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, oil, eggs,
raisins, 1 cup chopped nuts and honey. Stir until combined. Pour
into prepared pans. Top with Sugar-Nut Topping and dot with the
1/2 cup butter.
Bake at 350*F (175*C)
for 15 minutes. Remove cakes from oven and pour glaze over still-warm
cakes.
To Make Sugar-Nut Topping:
Mix together 1 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon flour, 1 teaspoon
cinnamon, 1/4 cup chopped nuts.
To Make Glaze: Combine
1 cup sifted powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons melted margarine,
2 tablespoons milk. Use immediately to glaze cake.
