FRUIT STARTER AND FRIENDSHIP CAKE

Fruit Starter and Friendship Cake image

This wonderful recipe is one that an elderly neighbor shared with me back in the early 70's. She was always baking and sharing her baked goods. She was one of the sweetest neighbors ever! The 1st day I moved into the house next to her and her hubby, she cooked a wonderful meal for us. Our friendship began that day. She has...

Provided by Diane Atherton

Number Of Ingredients 18

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Ingredients

INGREDIENTS FOR BASIC FRUIT STARTER
3/4 c peaches, drained and cut into chucks
3/4 c pineapple chucks, drained
6 maraschino cherries
1 1/2 c sugar (more sugar will be used as starter developes)
1 1/4 pkg dry active yeast
INGREDIENTS TO START ANOTHER STARTER USING JUICE FROM ORIGINAL STARTER
2 1/2 c sugar (more sugar will be used as starter developes)
1 1/2 c starter
1 large can of peaches and juice
INGREDIENTS FOR FRIENDSHIP CAKE
1 box yellow cake mix, (for variety use lemon, pineapple or cherry)
1 small box instant vanilla pudding (for variety use lemon)
4 eggs
2/3 c oil
1 1/2 c fruit, drained (about 1/3 of the fruit from the starter) reserve juice for new starter
1 c pecans, in pieces (or walnuts)
1 c coconut, flaked, optional

Steps:

1. PLEASE READ DIRECTIONS before starting. There will be additional ingredients (that are not listed in the ingredients above) as the starter progesses.
2. DIRECTIONS FOR BASIC STARTER: Combine ingredients in a gallon glass jar or a large glass bowl. Do NOT use a metal container. Keep at room temperture, loosely cover with a dish towel or saucer. Stir daily with a wooden or plastic spoon. Do NOT use metal utensils. It will take about 10 days for the fermentation to take place.
3. DAY 10: add 2 1/2 cups sugar and 1 large can of chunk pineapple and juice; stir well, cover loosely, and then stir every day.
4. DAY 20: add 2 1/2 cups sugar and 1 large can fruit cocktal and juice and 1 (10-ounce) jar maraschino cherries (without stems), drained well; stir well, cover loosely and then stir every day.
5. DAY 30: drain liquid from fruit inot 1 1/2 cup portions of starter, there should be about 5 potions. Give juice away to friends (be sure to keep one portion for your self for your starter base) to be used as a starter base or store at room temperature. Use remaining fruit to make ckes; there should be enough fruit to make 3 cakes. Cake recipe is below.
6. DIRECTIONS FOR STARTING A NEW STARTER WITH A STARTER: Combine ingredients in a gallon glass jar or a large glass bowl. Do NOT use a metal container. Keep at room temperture, loosely cover with a dish towel or saucer. Stir daily with a wooden or plastic spoon. Do NOT use metal utensils. It will take about 10 days for the fermentation to take place.
7. DAY 10: repeat step 2 DAY 20: repeat step 3 DAY 30: repeat step 4
8. DIRECTIONS FOR FRIENDSHIP CAKE: Combine cake mix, pudding mix; add oil and 1 egg. Using electric mixer beat and then add eggs one at a time beating well after each addition. Remove beaters; fold in fruit, nutes and coconut.
9. Pour batter into greased and floured tube or bundt pan. Bake in preheated over at 350 degrees for 55 to 60 minutes.
10. Remove from oven and cool in pan for 10 to 15 minutes before inverting on to plate.
11. NOTE: The fruit can also be used as a topping for ice cream.