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Amish Friendship Cake

Here is another great recipe which can be prepared and given as a present for the holidays. The recipe comes to us from Vickie Henderson of Vancouver, Washington. The cake takes approximately 30 days to prepare, but don't be fooled - the initial "starter" takes approximately 30 days to prepare also! And you thought you were a dedicated baker when you made Amish Friendship bread. Vickie's cake is made with peaches, pineapple, fruit cocktail, cherries, and sugar.

Vickie says "This cake is very good for the holidays or as a gift. It does take 30 days but believe me it is worth it!!!" The starter for this cake is different than the Amish Friendship Bread starter. Since it doesn't contain milk products, it can be used as a topping for ice cream or pound cake. (Note: this isn't a conventional bread yeast-type starter.)

By the way, if you need the Amish Friendship Bread yeast-type starter, you can get it from us: Live Yeast Starters from Armchair World.


THE AMISH FRIENDSHIP CAKE initial STARTER RECIPE

Day One through day 14

1 cup cubed pineapple (drained)
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons brandy

Combine in a glass gallon jar. Let set it set for two weeks. Cover loosely with aluminum foil with a wooden spoon inserted through the foil to stir daily-DO NOT REMOVE FOIL OR SPOON!

Be sure to stir daily.

Day 15

Add 1 cup marachino cherries including the juice
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons brandy.

Let set two more weeks, stirring daily.

On day 30

Strain the fruit from the juice using a plastic strainer. (DO NOT USE A METAL STRAINER.) The resulting "juice" is the "starter" for your Amish Friendship Cake.


AMISH FRIENDSHIP CAKE secondary STARTER

First we prepare another starter from the starter above.

1-1/2 cups starter (prepared above)
1 large can sliced peaches (with juice)
2-1/2 cups sugar

Put peaches & juice in a gallon jar. Stir once a day for 10 days:

On the 10th day, add

2- 1/2 cups sugar
1 large can pineapple chunks & juice (Victoria uses a 1 lb - 4oz can).

Stir for ten days

on the 20th Day, add

2 -1/2 cups sugar
1 - 10 ounce jar Marachino cherries & juice
1 large can fruit cocktail & juice. (Victoria uses a 14-1/2 oz to 15 oz can)

Stir daily for ten days

on the 30th Day

Drain liquid from fruit. Divide the juice into 5-6 jars each containing 1-1/2 cups of juice. Give to friends and keep one for yourself. You friends can now start with the starter you have given them and make the 30-day cake directly.

Divide fruit in thirds. You can freeze 2/3 of the fruit to use later.

Note: When putting fruit or juice in jars, leave jars on the counter & DO NOT REFRIGERATE!! DO NOT PUT LID ON TIGHT, set it on top of jar - loosely! DO NOT PUT JUICE IN THE REFRIGERATOR!

Finally - THE AMISH FRIENDSHIP CAKE

Cake 1 yellow cake mix (without pudding in it)
2/3 cup oil
4 eggs
1/3 of the fruit (prepared with the starter above)
1- cup nuts - chopped
1 box vanilla instant pudding.

Mix all ingredients together and bake in a greased Bundt pan at 350 degrees for 50 minutes or until done.


Important Note: Do not use a metal strainer when straining the fruit.

When adding fruit and juice to the jar, leave it on the counter & DO NOT REFRIGERATE!! DO NOT PUT LID ON TIGHT , set it on top loosely! DO NOT PUT JUICE IN THE REFRIGERATOR!

Amish Friendship Bread Main Recipes and Variations Page

Amish Friendship Bread Basic Recipe


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