Herman the German Friendship Lemon and Poppy Seed Cake

This is the tenth 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 portion for yourself.

Day10: The starter is ready to make the cake.

Ingredients make 20 slices

1 portion starter (320 g)

160 ml vegetable oil

2 eggs (100g)

1 cup sugar (220g)

½ tsp. salt

2 tbls poppy seeds (20 g)

2 lemons zest and juice

2 cups plain flour (300g)

2 tsp baking powder

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, salt, poppy seeds, lemon zest and juice in a large mixing bowl and whisk until combined. Add flour and baking powder, blend until evenly mixed. Spread evenly in the prepared tin. Spread ¼ cup white 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 orange juice and zest instead of lemon.