Brandied Fruit Starter
1 (15 1/4-ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained
1 (16-ounce) can sliced peaches, drained
1 (17-ounce) can apricot halves, drained
1 (10-ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 cup brandy*
Brandied Fruit Starter should last indefinitely if handled properly. Use clean equipment and keep it covered.
Combine all ingredients in a clean, nonmetal bowl; stir gently. Cover and let stand at room temperature 3 weeks, stirring fruit twice a week.
Serve fruit over ice cream or pound cake when desired, reserving at least 1 cup starter at all times.
To replenish starter, add 1 cup sugar and one of the fruits, pineapple chunks, peaches, apricot halves or maraschino cherries every 1 to 3 weeks, alternating fruits each time; stir gently. Cover and let stand at room temperature 3 days before using again.
Yield: 6 cups.
*Apricot or peach brandy may be substituted, if desired.
Friendship Cake Mix
2 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups Brandied Fruit Starter
1 (32-ounce) can sliced peaches with juice
Combine in a gallon glass jar and stir all together; stir several times the first day, thereafter stir once each day. Keep covered and at room temperature.
On Tenth Day Add:
1 (32-ounce) can chunk pineapple with juice
2 1/2 cups sugar
Stir once a day for 10 days.
On Twentieth Day Add:
1 (32-ounce) can fruit cocktail with juice
2 1/2 cups sugar
1 (10-ounce) jar maraschino cherries with juice, diced
Stir once a day for 10 days.
On Thirtieth day:
Drain liquid from fruit. Divide the juice into 1 1/2 cups each. Place in jars with tight lids and give to a friend with a copy of recipe as soon as possible. Divide fruit into thirds. Makes 3 cakes.
Cakes can be frozen after they are baked. Juice or fruit cannot be frozen.
Friendship Cake Mix Recipe:
1 (18.25-ounce) package yellow cake mix
2/3 cup oil
4 eggs
1 (4-ounce) box vanilla instant pudding mix
1 cup nuts, chopped
1/3 of fruit
Combine all ingredients together, mixing well. Bake in greased and floured Bundt pan at 350*F (175*C) for 50 to 60 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool in pan on rack for 15 minutes before removing. Cool completely on wire rack.