Instructions: Starter:
1 Cup Milk, (room temperature)

1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup REGULAR Flour, (room temperature)

Note: do not use Self-Rising flour.

Mix in a non-metallic bowl - glass or plastic is fine

Note: The metal interferes with the chemical reaction that needs to take place. Use a plastic or wooden stirrer. Dont be concerned if you cant get ALL the lumps out. Try to mix until lumps are pea sized, but with none larger than a grape. Pour into a 1 gallon freezer ziplock bag.

NEVER REFRIGERATE OR LET METAL
TOUCH THE HERMAN BABY!

The cold retards the action and the flavor is not as "full".

Note: The finished Sponge will expand to over 2 to 3 times its original volume. Let starter sit in a quiet place, away from drafts or hot breezes.

Attach the following Instructions to the starter that you share:

Day 1: Congratulations on receiving your own Herman baby!

NEVER REFRIGERATE OR LET METAL TOUCH THE HERMAN BABY!

The cold retards the action and the flavor is not as "full".

Day 2: Squeeze Herman

Day 3: Squeeze Herman

Day 4: Squeeze Herman

Day 5 : Squeeze Herman

Day 6 Add 1 Cup Flour, 1 Cup Sugar, 1 Cup Milk, Squeeze

Day 7: Squeeze Herman

Day 8 Squeeze Herman

Day 9: Squeeze Herman

Day 10: Put Herman in a large glass bowl. Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Stir with a wooden spoon. Take out 3 cups and place 1 cup each into three separate plastic freezer bags. Give one bag and a copy of Hermans care and feeding instructions to three friends.

To the remaining Herman (a little over one cup) , add the following ingredients and mix well.

1 cup oil
1/2 cup milk
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla

In a separate bowl combine the following dry ingredients and mix well:

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 or 2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 box instant vanilla pudding, (5.1 oz)

1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup nuts

Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Mix and pour into two well greased and sugared bread pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour.

NOTES : Got this from another list and thought it was cute. Ive seen another, but it has baking powder and baking soda in it. The real Friendship bread is made with a sponge, and no yeast. The point is to share the sponge amongst ones friends - ergo Friendship bread. There are several versions circulating, but I thought this one was kind of cute. Its the only one Ive seen that has included the instructions for "Herman."

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