"Herman" Recipes (Sourdough)

Herman Applesauce Spice Cake

1 cup Herman

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup oil
2 T. butter (from powder or canned or other butter alternative)
1 large egg (or powdered or other egg alternative)
1/2 cup applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon mace
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon allspice

Exactly as listed, beat all ingredients, adding each ingredient 1 at a time and beating 30 seconds after each addition. Beat 4 minutes after last addition. Pour into greased 9-inch square baking dish. Let batter "rest" 15 minutes uncovered then bake at 350 degrees F for 35-40 minutes or till wooden pick tests done. Cool 30 minutes and frost with Thin Vanilla Glaze.

Date Nut Cake

Use Applesauce Spice Batter above but stir into batter, 1 cup well chopped dates, moistened first and lightly floured, along with 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans. Bake as otherwise directed in that recipe.

 

Herman Biscuits and Raisin Bread

1 cup starter

3 tablespoona oil
1 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

Combine the ingredients using a large serving-type spoon. When smooth, dip the spoon (just to coat) in flour and knead the dough in the bowl with the back of the spoon till it's no longer sticky. Then flour your hands and make a patty of the dough and knead it between palms about 10 times. Break off 6 equal pieces and shape into patties 1-inch thick. Arrange in greased 1-quart baking dish. Bake at 425 degrees F for 18-20 minutes or till golden. Let cool in baking dish for 10 min. before serving. Makes 6 biscuits, double the recipe to make 1 dozen.

Raisin Bread

When you begin kneading the dough with the back of the spoon, add:

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup raisins
3 tablespoons granulated sugar

Continue kneading Herman between your palms as directed above. Grease the 1-quart baking dish and break Herman up into 12 small balls. Dust each ball in a mixture of 3 tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Drop the balls into the prepared baking dish and bake at 425 degrees F about 20-23 minutes or till golden. As soon as it's out of the oven, drizzle it with this:

 

Thin Vanilla Glaze

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 tablespoon buttermilk
2 teaspoons melted butter
Few drops vanilla extract
Dash of salt

 

Herman Coffeecake

2 cups Herman starter

2 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 to 2 cups any dried, canned, frozen or fresh fruit
Cinnamon Topping
Brown Sugar Glaze

Stir together Herman starter, eggs, flour, soda, baking powder, cinnamon, sugar, oil, salt and fruit. Spread batter in a greased 9 x 13-inch pan. Sprinkle cinnamon topping over the batter in the pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes. While cake is baking, prepare brown sugar glaze. Pour glaze over coffeecake as soon as it is removed from the oven. Allow to cool and serve.  Makes 12 to 15 servings. 

NOTE: For a less sweet coffeecake, omit the Cinnamon Topping or the Brown Sugar Glaze.

Cinnamon Topping

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup butter or margarine

Cream together brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and margarine or butter.

 

Brown Sugar Glaze

3 tablespoons butter or margarine

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup milk

Boil butter or margarine, brown sugar and milk together 5 minutes.