Herman (Sourdough Starter) Recipe

According to what I can find it has been floating around since about 1980 in Battle Creek , Michigan. Where Herman is from origionally is anyones guess! I will give you the real quick basics on how to make a batch of your own Herman (in case your new to it) and then I will share the recipes my mom had for Him.

2 Cups very warm water
1 package dry yeast
2 cups of flour

in a plastic or glass bowl (never metal) combine the water and the yeast  and stir to disolve . Stir in the flour and let stand over night in a warm place ( i usually cover mine with a tea towel or plastic wrap and place him in the oven (but not when its on!)

in the morning it should be double in size and be bubbly textured. now mix in 1 cup milk, 1 cup flour,and half a cup of sugar and stir. store in a loosley fitting container in the fridge. now you just stir him every morning until the 5th day. on the 5th day, after you stirred him down you feed him 1 cup of milk, 1 cup of flour and 1/2 cup sugar again.On the 10th day you stir him and divide him in half. the one still left in the container you feed, the half you took out you either use in recipes provided or give away to a friend for them to start their own batch! never use the starter on the day it is fed, and remove amount if needed for baking before feeding. Do not let starter get below a cup. Easy right?

Herman Coffee Cake

2 Cups 10 day old starter
2 cups flour
2/3 cup oil
1/2 teaspoon soda
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Combine all ingredients and pour into a greased 9x13 inch pan. sprinkle with topping (recipe follows)

Topping
1 tablspoon flour
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 cup of brown sugar
1/2 cup melted butter

combine ingredients. with spoon swirl mixture through coffee cake batter. Bake cake 35 to 40 minutes in a 350 degree oven. When removed from oven top with glaze (recipe follows)

Glaze
1 stick of butter (1/2 cup)
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup milk

combine and bring to a boil. then boil 5 minutes longer over medium heat. pour over coffee cake.

(have had this cake before is delish even without the glaze)

Herman Cinnamon Rolls

2 cups Herman starter
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon soda
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup oil
soft margarine or butter
cinnamon sugar
stick melted butter
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 cup nuts

mix starter, flour, salt, soda, baking powder, and oil. knead on a floured board lightly until dough is not sticky. Roll out dough in rectangle 1/4 inch thick. Spread with soft magarine. Sprinkle heavily with cinnamon sugar. Roll up dough jelly roll fashion. Cut into 1/2 inch slices. Combine melted butter, brown sugar, and nuts. Spread in bottom of 9x13 inch baking pan. Place slices, flat side down on top of butter mixture. Bake in a 350 oven about 30 minutes or until rolls are golden brown. invert on serving dish.

Herman Pancakes

1 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1 cup herman starter
2 eggs, well beaten

combine flour, baking powder,salt, and soda and add to remaining ingredients. Mix just enough to moisten the dry ingredients. Pour 1/4 cup of the batter on a hot greased griddle for each pancake.