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READY IN ABOUT 7 days

Herman Sourdough Starter

Read Reviews (30)

"This is a recipe for a sweet sourdough starter known as Herman. There are a number of things that can be made from it. It's very important to NOT use metal utensils or bowls! It will take 15 days for the starter to mature and be ready to use the first time you make it. After that it can be ready for use every 10 days." — Sue

Ingredients Edit and Save

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Measuring All-Purpose Flour

Sugar and Sweeteners

Original recipe makes 4 cups Change Servings

2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup white sugar

1 cup white sugar, divided
2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
2 cups milk, divided

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Directions

In a large glass or plastic container, dissolve the yeast in warm water. Stir in the flour and sugar, mix until smooth. (DO NOT USE A METAL SPOON)! Cover loosely and store in a warm place overnight.
The next day, stir and refrigerate.
Stir once each day for the next four days. On the fifth day, stir, then divide in half. Give half away with feeding instructions.
Feed starter with 1/2 cup white sugar, 1 cup flour, and 1 cup milk. Stir until smooth. Cover and place in refrigerator. Stir once each day for next four days.
On the tenth day feed again with 1/2 cup white sugar, 1 cup flour, and 1 cup milk. Return to refrigerator and stir once each day for the next four days.
On the fifteenth day it is ready to be used for baking. Reserve one cup of the starter in the refrigerator and continue to follow the stir and feed cycle (Stir once a day for four days, stir and feed on the fifth day, ready for use on the tenth day.)

Kitchen-Friendly View

PREP 30 mins
READY IN 6 days 22 hrs 40 mins

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Reviews More Reviews

Most Helpful Positive Review

Jul 28, 2004

HERMAN STARTER---On the fifth day of dividing the starter I chose to make pancakes with the discarded starter. Wow! I was really impressed with the pancakes. Never have I eaten such delicious sweet sourdough pancakes. I have used other soughdough starters in making pancakes but I have never been able to produce such light and airy pancakes. These pancakes were brimming with flavor and are delicious eaten cold, with butter and jam. I don't like left over pancakes normally I discard them but Herman's pancakes can be eaten cold or plain with or without syrup, butter and jam. I'm really pleased with the Herman starter. NOTE---Herman sweet sourdough starter can be used for baking any time after the 5th day. It's not necessary to wait 15 days. Start using it after the 5th day. This starter is a keeper.

—CESCA1943

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Most Helpful Critical Review

Jan 11, 2005

The starter smells wonderful, but when it came to making the bread, it came out quite bland. Made the apartment building smell like a brewery, but is a nice smell. Not sure if I did something wrong with the starter, or if I just need to add some fresh sugar to the bread recipe.

—REXENNE

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35 Ratings

Oct 10, 2003

Herman is the best! I have used it in all sorts of recipes and am so glad to keep the old fashioned starter alive. Herman Cake made great gifts for friends.

—VEGGIE

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Apr 26, 2004

Sourdough starters are a lot of work, but the results are well worth the wait. This recipe makes such a thick and creamy starter. My family is very excited every 10 days when I get to whip up a batch of fresh sourdough bread. My starter isn't even very mature yet, I think I started it about 2 months ago, and every time I use it, it gets better and better. Try this starter with the San Francisco Sourdough recipe on this website. The combination is to die for!

—EJWILL

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Jul 15, 2003

I love the recipe and adapted a recipe to make raisin bread in my bread oven with it.

—MCMUFFY

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Sep 28, 2006

Haven't seen this recipe for years but it is awesome! You can do so much with it like make pancakes, coffee cakes, buscuits, anything is possible. Love this!

—Diane H.

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Dec 02, 2003

Great for home made bread, you can just put it in the freg. and make bread when needed. Also it makes a great looking bread.

—CAMRAH

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Sep 12, 2003

I've been trying to find this recipe since I was a girl and was given a starter by a friend!

—ALCEB1999

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Nutrition

Calories
382 kcal
19%

Carbohydrates
82.2 g
27%

Cholesterol
5 mg
2%

Fat
1.9 g
3%

Fiber
1.9 g
8%

Protein
8.9 g
18%

Sodium
29 mg
1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutritional Information

Herman Sourdough Starter

Serving Size: 1/8 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 8
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 382
Calories from Fat: 17

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 1.9g 3 %
Saturated Fat 0.9g 4 %
Cholesterol 5mg 2 %
Sodium 29mg 1 %
Potassium 182mg 5 %
Total Carbohydrates 82.2g 27 %
Dietary Fiber 1.9g 8 %
Protein 8.9g 18 %
Sugars 34.2g
Vitamin A 2 %
Vitamin C < 1 %
Calcium 10 %
Iron 31 %
Thiamin 54 %
Niacin 46 %
Vitamin B6 4 %
Magnesium 8 %
Folate 80 %

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.