(image and recipe below via deliciousdays.com)

Growing up in the late 70’s and early 80’s, my mom often participated in the gastronomic equivalent of a chain letter: a sourdough “Amish friendship bread” called Hermann. A friend or neighbor would give us a cup of this mysterious goo, which my sister or I would lovingly “feed” a cup of milk, flour, and 1/2 cup of sugar every fifth day, stirring on the days in between (yes, other kids had dogs or cats, we had a sourdough starter that lived in the fridge. This might explain some of my food issues as an adult…). Every now and then, we’d give some Hermann away to friends with care and feeding instructions, or use a few cups of Hermann to bake a delicious coffee cake.

Hermann is the perfect post-Pesach pet. You count the days between feedings as you count the Omer, and revel in the sheer yeastiness of the experience, and the resultant baked goods. Plus, you get to share him with friends, and as you give him away, Hermann’s value only increases (much like the Torah we receive anew from Sinai each Shavuot…).

Here’s instructions for starting your own Hermann, and a great recipe for a Hermann coffee cake is after the jump. Happy feeding!

Hermann Coffee Cake
2 cups Hermann
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup oil
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup raisins or nuts (optional)

If you’re using an electric mixer just dump everything together and mix it until just mixed. If you’re stirring it together by hand it’s easier to combine the wet ingredients and the dry seperately and then stir them together. Pour into prepared 9X13 pan.
Combine:
1 tablespoon flour
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
rub in half a cup of butter to make crumbs. Sprinkle on top of coffee cake batter. Bake at 350F for 30 to 40 minutes.
Combine:
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup milk
in saucepan. Bring to a boil and let boil for a few minutes. Pour over coffee cake while cake and glaze are hot.