Discover the joy of creating and nurturing your very own traditional 'Hermann the German Friendship Cake' starter with this step-by-step feeding and care recipe! This delightful culinary tradition begins with a simple mixture of plain flour, sugar, yeast, and water, transforming into a bubbling, yeast-based starter that you can cherish and share. Over the course of 10 days, you'll "feed" and stir your Hermann starter, watching it grow into a living, fragrant base for a variety of baked creations. Perfect for bread, cakes, or sharing with friends, Hermann brings a personal and heartwarming touch to your kitchen. With straightforward ingredients and an easy-to-follow schedule, this recipe lets you embrace the slow, rewarding process of fermentation while connecting with a timeless baking ritual. Keep Hermann thriving with regular care, and enjoy the endless possibilities he offers!
Day 1: In a large non-metallic bowl, mix 250 grams of plain flour and 250 grams of sugar.
Dissolve 7 grams of active dry yeast in 100 ml of warm water and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
Add the dissolved yeast mixture and 350 ml of warm water to the flour and sugar. Stir well to form a smooth, batter-like consistency.
Cover the bowl loosely with a clean kitchen towel or cling film and leave it at room temperature. This is now your 'Hermann' starter.
Days 2-4: Give Hermann a stir once a day. Do not refrigerate.
Day 5: Feed Hermann. Add 250 grams of plain flour, 250 grams of sugar, and 350 ml of warm milk to the bowl. Stir well.
Days 6-9: Stir Hermann once a day.
Day 10: Hermann is ready to use. Transfer one cup of the starter to separate jars if sharing with friends, and reserve a portion for future baking.
To continue feeding Hermann: Repeat the feeding and care process every 10 days to keep him active and bubbling.
Serving size | 965.2 grams (965.2g) |
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Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
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Calories | 1987 |
Total Fat 5.70g | 7% |
Saturated Fat 1.70g | 9% |
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.10g | |
Cholesterol 9mg | 3% |
Sodium 51mg | 2% |
Total Carbohydrate 447.50g | 163% |
Dietary Fiber 8.20g | 29% |
Total Sugars 255.20g | |
Protein 32.00g | 64% |
Vitamin D 45IU | 227% |
Calcium 175mg | 13% |
Iron 12mg | 67% |
Potassium 575mg | 12% |
Source of Calories