Recipe: Friendship Starter Juice and Cake

Friendship Starter Juice
From: Sumer 93-06-27

4 oranges, peeled, sectioned, and coarsely chopped (1 C)
2 peaches, peeled, pitted, and coarsely chopped (1 C)
2 pears, peeled, cored, and coarsely chopped (1 C)
1/2 C cranberries or red grapes, halved and seeded if necessary
3/4 C granulated sugar
3/4 C packed brown sugar
2 T Amaretto, pear brandy, or brandy
1 pkg active dry yeast

Combine all ingredients in bowl and stir in yeast. Cover loosely with clear plastic wrap. Let stand at room temperature for 24 hrs., stirring occasionally. Store in refrigerator for at least one week. Stir once a day. Strain off 1 1/2 cups liquid for starter juice. Remaining fruit and juice can be served over ice cream or layered with pudding for parfait.

Friendship Cake

(For Starter)
6 1/2 C sugar, divided
1 lg. can sliced peaches, cut up, and juice
1 1/2 C starter juice (see above recipe)
1 lg can chunk pineapple and juice
1 lg can fruit cocktail and juice
1 (10 oz) jar maraschino cherries and juice

(For Cake)
1 box yellow cake mix
2/3 C oil
4 eggs
1 pkg. instant vanilla pudding
1 C chopped nuts

On 1st day, in very large bowl or gallon jar, put 2 1/2 C sugar, peaches, and 1 1/2 C starter juice. Stir together and cover. Stir every day for 10 days. On 10th day, add 2 C sugar and pineapple. Stir every day for another 10 days.

On 20th day, add 2 C sugar, fruit cocktail, and cherries. Stir every day for another 10 days. On 30th day, drain juice from fruit. Divide into three portions, keeping one and giving others to friends.

During the 30 days, none of the recipe should be refrigerated. The container should be covered. Fruit may bubble and the lid may pop off. This is okay but continue to cover the container. Cake may be frozen but starter juice can't be frozen. Do not eat fermented fruit uncooked.

To make cake, to portion of starter, add cake mix, oil, eggs, and pudding mix. Mix well with beater at medium speed. Fold in nuts. Bake in greased & floured tube or Bundt pan at 350~ for 50 minutes. Cake is done when tester comes out clean.