The Amish Friendship Cake

A few years ago, my mother sent me what I thought was going to be a terrible gift. It was a jar of
a smelly liquid that looked as if it had already gone bad. She called it a "Starter" for what she
titled "The Friendship Cake". As I eyed the jar, I continued to read her letter of how this was a
wonderful cake starter and I would love it.
I was not convinced of my "good fortune", so I opened the cake she had baked from this goop,
and proceeded to eat. I don't believe I had ever tasted anything like it. It was actually good -
better than good - it was marvellous. I find that once the initial reaction of disbelief is over, my
friends truly love the gift (and hopefully the giver).

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.

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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
4 boxes white cake mix with pudding in the mix
16 beaten eggs
1 1/2 cups oil
4 cups nuts, 1 1/2 to 2 is plenty though

Mix two boxes cake mix with fruit and two boxes with the oil and eggs. Then mix together.

Bake in well greased loaf pans at 350*F for 60 to 70 minutes. Do not open oven.

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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!