FRIENDSHIP CAKE STARTER:

3/4 c. drained canned peaches, cut in pieces
3/4 c. drained crushed pineapple
6 maraschino cherries, cut in halves
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 pkg. dry yeast

Combine all ingredients and put in glass jar. Cover loosely with a lid, cloth or plastic wrap. Stir several times to mix thoroughly. Stir once daily for 2 weeks. At the end of 2 weeks, the starter has fermented enough to start the Friendship Cake. At this time, start the cake as in the recipe for "Friendship Cake Fruit Preparation."

FRIENDSHIP CAKE FRUIT PREPARATION:

First, beg, steal or borrow 1 1/2 cups starter.

FIRST DAY: Mix 1 1/2 cups starter, a large can peaches with juice and 2 1/2 cups sugar in large glass or ceramic jar or bowl. Cover with lid or plastic wrap. Stir daily for 10 days, using a wooden spoon.

TENTH DAY: Add 2 1/2 cups sugar and a large can of chunk or crushed pineapple with juice. Stir daily for 10 days.

20TH DAY: Add 2 1/2 cups sugar, large can of fruit cocktail with juice, and a large jar of maraschino cherries with juice. Stir daily for 10 days.

30TH DAY: Drain fruit. Bake cakes or cookies using fruit. Save juice; there will be enough for 4 or 5 friends.

FRIENDSHIP CAKE:

DAY 1: Receive batter and place in large bowl. Cover with waxed paper. DO NOT REFRIGERATE.

DAY 2: Stir.

DAY 3: Stir.

DAY 4: Stir.

DAY 5: Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk. Stir.

DAY 6: Stir.

Day 7: Stir.

DAY 8: Stir.

DAY 9: Stir.

DAY 10: Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk. Stir.

Take out 3 separate cups of batter and give to 3 friends with directions. For your own cake, add to the remaining batter.

2/3 c. oil
3 eggs
2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 c. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. vanilla

Stir by hand. Stir in by hand:

1 c. apples, chopped
Raisins (optional)
1 c. nuts, chopped or all 3 or only 1

Bake in greased and floured tube pan at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.