Brandied fruit: How did you do it? I want to try.
My sister-in-law gave me the starter, so I did not have to make it, but here is a recipe that includes making your own starter:
Friendship Cake with Starter
Starter :
3/4 cup drained peach chunks
3/4 cup drained pineapple
6 maraschino cherries, halved
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 (1/4-ounce) package active dry yeast
Combine ingredients and place in a large glass jar with a loose cover at room temperature.
Stir several times the first day, once a day thereafter for 14 days. The starter will have fermented enough to start Friendship Cake Mix.
Friendship Cake Mix:
1 1/2 cups Starter
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 (32-ounce) can sliced peaches with juice
Place into a gallon jar. Stir once a day for 10 days. Keep covered and at room temperature.
On 10th day add:
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 (32-ounce) can chunk pineapple with juice
Stir once a day for 10 days.
On 20th day add:
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 (10-ounce) jar maraschino cherries
1 (32-ounce) can fruit cocktail with juice
Stir once a day for 10 days.
On 30th day:
Drain juice from fruit. Divide juice into 5 or 6 jars of 1 1/2 cups juice each and give to friend(s).
Divide the fruit into 3 equal parts. You will have enough to make 3 cakes.
Friendship Cake Mix Recipe:
1 (18.25-ounce) package yellow cake mix (not pudding cake)
2/3 cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs
1 (4-ounce) package instant vanilla pudding
1 cup chopped nuts
1/3 of the fruit (2 cups)
Combine with an electric mixer all ingredients and bake in greased and floured tube or Bundt pan at 350*F (175*C) for 50 to 60 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack in pan 15 minutes before removing.
