Herman the German Friendship Date and Walnut Cake

This is the fourth cake I have made with this starter.

Hello, my name is Herman. I am a sourdough cake.

My starter is designed to sit on your worktop at room temperature (18-20ºC) for 10 days without a lid.

Day 1: Place the starter in a large bowl and cover loosely with a tea towel.

Day 2: Stir well

Day 3: Stir well

Day 4: The starter is hungry. Add 1 cup each of plain flour (150g), sugar (220g) and milk (250ml). Stir well.

Day 5: Stir well

Day 6: Stir well

Day 7: Stir well

Day 8: Stir well

Day 9: Add the same ingredients as day 4 and stir well. Divide into 4 equal portions and give friends 1 portion with a copy of these instructions. Keep at least 1 portions for your self.

Day10: The starter is ready to make the cake.

Ingredients make 20 slices

1 portion starter

160 ml vegetable oil

2 eggs (100g)

1 cup sugar (220g)

½ tsp. salt

2 cups plain flour (300g)

2 tsp baking powder

1 tbls mixed spice

300 g chopped pitted dates

100 g chopped walnuts

Method

Preheat the oven to 170º C normal bake (150º C fan forced). Line a 25 x 35 x 3 cm cake tin with baking paper. Place the starter, oil, eggs, sugar and salt in a large mixing bowl and whisk until combined. Add flour, baking powder and cinnamon, blend until evenly mixed. Add dates and walnuts to the mixture and mix until combined. Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared tin. Spread ¼ cup brown sugar (55g) and ¼ cup melted butter (55g) on top of the batter. Bake in the oven for approx. 35 minutes and allow cooling before cutting.

Note: Try other dried fruit and nuts such as figs, apricots or macadamia nuts.